The Voynich Ninja

Full Version: Using AI to get clues about the imaginery
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I was asking AI questions that could be relevant to understanding the Voynich manuscript and I thought I should share some of the answers I got that I thought made sense.

Plants
For example, a medieval artist might depict a plant in a stylized or exaggerated way in order to convey a specific meaning or message. For example, a plant might be depicted with larger or more exaggerated leaves in order to symbolize abundance or fertility. Alternatively, a plant might be depicted with smaller or more delicate leaves in order to symbolize fragility or vulnerability.
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It is also important to remember that the techniques and materials available to medieval artists were very different from those available to artists today. As a result, the depiction of plants and other natural elements in medieval art may not always be accurate or realistic when compared to how they actually appear in nature.
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Overall, it is important to remember that the art and imagery of any given period reflects the values, beliefs, and cultural context of the time in which it was created. In the case of medieval art, plants and other natural elements were often depicted in a symbolic or allegorical manner, rather than being intended to be a realistic representation of the natural world.
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A plant might be depicted with more leaves or flowers than it actually has, in order to symbolize abundance or fertility. A plant might be depicted with larger or more exaggerated leaves in order to convey a sense of grandeur or importance. A plant might be depicted with smaller or more delicate leaves in order to symbolize fragility or vulnerability. A plant might be depicted with a specific color or pattern in order to convey a particular meaning or message. For example, a plant might be depicted with red flowers in order to symbolize passion or love, or with blue flowers in order to symbolize faith or devotion. A plant might be depicted with specific symbolic elements, such as fruit or flowers, in order to convey a particular meaning or message. For example, a tree might be depicted with apples in order to symbolize knowledge or temptation, or with roses in order to symbolize love or beauty.
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Overall, the depiction of plants and other natural elements in medieval art was often intended to convey specific meanings or messages, rather than being intended to be a realistic representation of the natural world
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A plant might be depicted in a stylized or exaggerated manner in order to convey a particular mood or atmosphere. For example, a plant might be depicted with twisted, gnarled branches in order to convey a sense of foreboding or danger, or with delicate, graceful leaves in order to convey a sense of beauty or serenity.
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Anatomy & some interconnections between medicine and astrology/astronomy
Medieval anatomical drawings were typically quite different from what we would consider a realistic representation of the human body today. This is because the understanding of anatomy during the medieval period was limited by the lack of access to human cadavers for study, as well as by the limited knowledge of physiological processes. Here are a few ways in which medieval anatomical drawings differed from reality: Stylization: Medieval anatomical drawings were often highly stylized, with simplified and exaggerated features. This was often done to convey a specific meaning or message, or to make the illustration easier to understand. As a result, these drawings did not accurately represent the structure and function of the human body. Inaccurate depiction of organs and systems: The organs and systems of the human body were often depicted in a simplified or stylized manner in medieval anatomical drawings. For example, the heart might be depicted as a simple geometric shape, rather than a complex organ with specific functions. Lack of detail: Medieval anatomical drawings often lacked the level of detail and precision that we would expect in modern anatomical illustrations. This was due in part to the limited knowledge of anatomy at the time, as well as the fact that these drawings were often created for educational or instructional purposes, rather than as scientific illustrations.
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Another reason is that the purpose of these drawings may not have been to create a scientific representation of the body, but rather to illustrate certain concepts or ideas related to medicine or anatomy. For example, a drawing might depict the body in a stylized or symbolic way in order to convey the location of a particular organ or to show the relationship between different parts of the body.
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During the medieval period, many scholars believed that the structure and function of the human body were a reflection of the larger order of the cosmos. This belief was based on the idea that the universe was a harmonious and interconnected whole, and that the human body was a microcosm of the larger cosmos. As a result, the study of anatomy in the medieval period was often seen as a way of understanding the structure and function of the cosmos as a whole. Scholars who studied anatomy might also study other subjects such as astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy in order to gain a better understanding of the larger order of the universe. For example, some medieval scholars believed that the structure and function of the human body were governed by the same principles that governed the movement of the stars and planets. As a result, the study of anatomy was seen as a way of understanding the underlying principles that governed the cosmos as a whole. Similarly, the study of anatomy was often seen as a way of understanding the natural world and the relationships between different living beings. Scholars who studied anatomy might also study botany, zoology, and other subjects in order to gain a better understanding of the natural world and the interconnections between different living things.
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In the "Canon of Medicine," Avicenna wrote extensively about anatomy, including descriptions of the structure and function of various organs and systems in the human body. He also provided detailed descriptions of different types of tissue, such as muscle, bone, and nerve tissue. In addition, Avicenna made important contributions to the understanding of the cardiovascular system, including the role of the heart in circulation and the function of the blood vessels.
Galen made significant contributions to the study of anatomy, including descriptions of the structure and function of various organs and systems in the human body. He also developed a system for classifying different types of tissue, such as muscle, bone, and nerve tissue. In addition, Galen made important contributions to the understanding of the cardiovascular system, including the role of the heart in circulation and the function of the blood vessels.
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Astrology and herbology were often interconnected in the medieval period because many people believed that the movements and positions of the stars and planets had an influence on the natural world, including on the properties and medicinal uses of different herbs. As a result, astrology and herbology were often studied together as part of a broader understanding of the natural world and the relationships between different living beings.
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In the 1400s, the study of celestial bodies was closely interconnected with the study of anatomy. This was due in part to the influence of the Ptolemaic model of the universe, which held that the Earth was at the center of the universe and that the celestial bodies (such as the Sun, Moon, and planets) revolved around it. According to this model, the celestial bodies were thought to have a direct influence on the human body and its functions. In the Islamic world, scholars such as Avicenna (also known as Ibn Sina) wrote extensively about the relationship between celestial bodies and anatomy. In his medical encyclopedia, the "Canon of Medicine," Avicenna discussed the idea that the movements of the celestial bodies could affect the health and well-being of individuals. He also described the role of the planets in the development and functioning of the human body, including their influence on the various organs and systems. In addition to Avicenna, other scholars in the Islamic world and Europe also wrote about the relationship between celestial bodies and anatomy. For example, the astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) developed a theory about the relationship between the orbits of the planets and the proportions of the human body. Overall, the study of celestial bodies and anatomy were closely interconnected in the 1400s and beyond, with scholars seeking to understand the relationship between the movements of celestial bodies and the functions of the human body.
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Medicine: Astrology, astronomy, and herbalism were closely connected to medicine in the 1400s because astrologers and physicians believed that the movements and positions of celestial bodies influenced the human body and could be used to predict and treat illnesses and conditions. (would further explain why those weird drawings are anatomical. Since they often used animals to learn about anatomy it could possibly be based on animals but applied to humans, it could explain why there's random drawings of animals, assuming they aren't purely symbolic.)

Anatomy and nymphs
In the context of a medical drawing, it is possible that nymphs were used to symbolize certain aspects of the human body or of health and wellness. For example, a nymph might be depicted alongside a drawing of the reproductive system to symbolize fertility, or alongside a depiction of the circulatory system to symbolize the flow of life-giving fluids throughout the body.
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It is possible that nymphs were used in medical drawings as a symbolic representation of the circulatory system, which is the system of vessels and organs that transports blood throughout the body. In this context, the nymphs might be depicted as representing the flow of blood through the body, or as representing the vital role that the circulatory system plays in maintaining health and wellness.
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The depiction of nymphs in medical drawings from the 1400s would likely have been intended to serve a symbolic or allegorical purpose, rather than to provide a literal depiction of the circulatory system.


Jars
(My theory that they were not real jars but rather symbolic drawings in which the content was symbolically portrayed in the shape of the jar, more details could for example symbolize higher value or status)

The shape of the jar might symbolize the nature or properties of its contents. For example: A jar with a round or bulbous shape might symbolize that it contains a liquid or a substance that is soft or pliable. This shape might also suggest that the contents of the jar are abundant or plentiful. A jar with a narrow or elongated shape might symbolize that it contains a solid or a substance that is more structured or rigid. This shape might also suggest that the contents of the jar are concentrated or focused in some way. A jar with a wide or open shape might symbolize that it contains a substance that is easily accessible or available. This shape might also suggest that the contents of the jar are welcoming or inviting. A jar with a tall or upright shape might symbolize that it contains a substance that is uplifting or elevating. This shape might also suggest that the contents of the jar are dignified or noble.
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Yes, it is likely that people in the medieval period used the idea that the physical appearance of a jar can symbolize the nature or properties of its contents. Jars were commonly used in the medieval period to store and transport a wide variety of substances, including food, water, and various other materials, and the physical appearance of the jar might have been used to provide clues about the contents of the jar.
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Jars with feet might be used to keep the jar off the ground and to prevent it from coming into direct contact with dirt or moisture. This could be useful for jars that contain perishable or delicate substances that might be damaged if they come into contact with the ground or if they are exposed to moisture.
These recent developments in AI, like Dall-e 2 and ChatGPT are a huge leap forward in AI development. With questions like these, it's all a bit hit and miss though. I wish it would include its sources Wink