The Voynich Ninja

Note: I will not be studying this topic further; I’m simply sharing this idea in case it is useful to someone who works on Voynich research.
I would like to share a personal hypothesis about the Voynich Manuscript that may offer a different perspective on its content.
After examining the botanical section and the so-called balneological section, I propose that both may be connected through a single conceptual framework: a hydro-phytotherapeutic system—an attempt to understand and replicate the healing properties of medicinal plant roots through networks of flowing water.
This idea comes from two main observations:

1. Unusually detailed and prominent root illustrations.
   In the Voynich Manuscript, roots are depicted with exceptional detail and visual emphasis compared to the typical medieval herbal tradition. This suggests that medicinal properties may have been attributed primarily to the roots rather than to the full plant.
   
2. The balneological section shows networks of pipes, channels, vessels, and flowing water.
   These structures do not resemble anatomical diagrams or realistic bath installations. Instead, they appear to represent idealized hydraulic systems. Some of them connect symbolically to human figures, as if illustrating therapeutic baths or processes involving water circulation.
   

Based on this, I hypothesize that the author might have been attempting to conceptualize a water-circulation system whose structure imitates the functional properties of plant roots. The idea would be that, just as roots absorb, transform, filter, and distribute substances, a designed hydraulic network could produce “healing water” either without using the herbs directly or in combination with them, using the water system as an enlarged artificial “stem.”
In modern terms, it resembles a pre-scientific, proto-hydrotherapy or proto-spagyric concept, where the geometry and flow of water play a therapeutic role inspired by botany.
I’m not claiming that this hypothesis is correct or verifiable. I simply haven’t found prior research exploring this exact connection between root morphology and hydraulic systems as a unifying conceptual model. If anyone working in Voynich studies—historians, botanists, linguists, cryptographers, or independent researchers—finds this idea interesting, I would be honored if they explored it with more academic rigor.

AI? Can KG/tavie verify if it is or not?

Hello and welcome her

I actually find the idea very interesting and exciting. Some people have already noticed that the roots are overemphasised compared to other depictions of plants from that period and earlier works. It is also clearly discussed that it is a network of waterways, pipes and possibly hydraulic systems – also in connection with a healing context. But the idea of bringing the two together, i.e. the strong overemphasis on the roots and this system as a ‘replica’ of the roots, is actually new, at least to my knowledge. (But I haven't read everything either and I haven't been that interested in the field so far.) And it has a fascinating logic.

That would finally explain (in my perception) why the book was encrypted. Someone had, in his own opinion, a ‘brilliant’ new idea in which he invested a lot of work and did not want anyone to steal this great idea from him. That fits.

What also fits the time is that this concept of healing with the help of roots is then placed in an astronomical context. It would conclusively bring together the three/four aspects of the VM.

To sum it all up, I find this interpretation convincing so far.

However, I am sure that some here will see it quite differently, and I am looking forward to the critical reports because I am not able to place it well in the historical context. And I'm not sure if the theory already existed.

Ki? okay, Embarrassing, but I actually didn't know the theory yet? Balneology isn't my area of expertise...

(20-11-2025, 07:15 AM)Philipp Harland Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.AI? Can KG/tavie verify if it is or not?

To be honest, I cannot tell the difference between someone using AI for translation only, or a fully AI-genrtated solution. I'll just leave it. This will sink to the bottom quickly since even the author isn't interested in it...