The Voynich Ninja

Another "lamb" in a vesica piscis, more like the standard representation of an agnus dei. 

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Prior examples from England and Liege. This one from Flanders.

Any examples from Italy, Germany or elsewhere?

I couldn't post this in my blog because it's a rights-managed image, but it's interesting in a few ways:

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Source: Getty Images - Fresco in Crypt of Saint Magnus, Saint Mary Cathedral, Anagni, Lazio, Italy, 13th century


The arc-seat has a sort of cloudband pattern (but not a conventional one). It's not the common way of drawing a "rainbow throne", but it is the usual "double rainbow" in terms of shape... there's another arc under his feet.

There are seven stars.

And this crucifixion-themed figure in the same cathedral is surrounded by numerous stars:

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Note the container bottom-right:

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Another Lamb in a vesica piscis, from the Douce Aocalypse.

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And a second image from the Douce Apocalypse with the lamb in cloud-bands.

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So, if the Apocalypse of S. Jean, 1313 AD, is an example of a structure that was replicated in the VMs, where might the idea of representing the lamb in a vesica piscis have been used prior to the image from Liege.

So far three earlier representations (c. 1250-1275 roughly) are all English. The Flanders image was 15th C.

Hey look, another one

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Almost a vesica piscis, and it is framed by a cloud-band, like the Liege image. 

Also note the pattern used in the wallpaper.

Problem:  *No blinking citation!!*

This one combines a "parasol" (the "tent canopy of authority" that might be analogous to the tent tops/parasols in the VMS) with a mandorla and a cushion.

Agnus dei is often associated with a cushion, in some images sitting on one, in other images, on a journey toward God's cushion (as a narrative about ascension).

Paris, c. 1415 [Source: Musée de Cluny]





But this one also intrigued me because of the Cassiopaeia-like pose (similar to the VMS nymph with her arms stretched out):

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(04-08-2019, 12:45 AM)R. Sale Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view....


Problem:  *No blinking citation!!*

It's British Library Yates Thompson 10.  c. 1380

Here's a link:

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For a long time I've been puzzling over what the lines under the mystery critter might be.

Is it rain?
Is it ascension (a symbol of upward movement)?
Is it blood?
Is it the seven seals?
Is it water?

Is it all of them?

Here's an example of water flowing out of the lamb's altar (a hold-over from Pagan symbolism):

JKP, 

Thanks for the citation link.

That is closer To VMs dates.

The lamb on Mount Zion also seems an option to me.



Royal 15 D II, First quarter of 14th century, folio You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

Detail of a miniature of the Lamb on a mount, surrounded by worshippers, in illustration of Revelation 14:1.





MS M.524, between 1255 and 1260, folio You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.



In earlier manuscripts Mount Zion is more stylized, for example:

Add MS 11695, 1091-1109, folio You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
or
MS M.644, ca. 940-945, fol. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

I was particularly interested in some of the "marriage" scenes with the lamb because the nymph directly below the VMS mystery critter looks like she's holding a ring (does "below" mean more earthly, or less holy, or does it mean a different point in time as in narrative panels??).

I've only been able to find a few. In one of them the lamb is in the bride's lap, but that seems less common than the lamb being nearby the marriage festivities or sitting in the groom's position (or seated or standing on an altar).


I have read that even though Revelation is New Testament, that the marriage of the lamb is supposedly patterned after Jewish traditions. I don't know enough Bible history detail to completely confirm this. Sharing a cup of wine is a Jewish betrothal custom, as is the giving of gifts during the engagement and this is mentioned in the scripture, but mostly in metaphorical terms.