(03-07-2026, 02:02 PM)Rafal Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Does anybody know more about these "man swallowed by a fish" Islamic pictures?
Is this a common way in Islamic culture to show the sign of Pisces?
Or does it have another meanings?
In Arabic medieval astrology and astral magic, the anthropomorphic figure representing the zodiac sign Pisces (al-Ḥūt / الحوت) carries rich symbolism, heavily influenced by Babylonian heritage and Islamic planetary lore.
Here is a detailed breakdown of this fish-bodied figure, its visual appearance, and its function in talismanic magic.
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## 1. Visual Appearance and Iconography
In manuscripts like the 14th-century Kitāb al-Bulhān (Book of Wonders), Pisces is rarely depicted simply as two fish on a string (the traditional Western view). Instead, it appears as a hybrid entity or a humanoid guardian:
* The Mermaid/Merman Form: The figure is often rendered with a human upper torso (frequently wearing a turban or robes) and a powerful, scaly fish tail from the waist down.
* The Ruler of the Depths: Alternatively, the figure is shown as a dignified human character riding on the back of a giant fish (al-Ḥūt translates literally to a large fish or whale), or holding two massive fish by their tails.
* The Halo of Light: The figure is usually enveloped in a flame-like halo (hālat al-nūr), indicating its status as a celestial spirit, angel, or cosmic intelligence rather than a mere animal.
## 2. The Influence of Jupiter (al-Muštarī)
Because Jupiter rules Pisces, the fish-bodied figure adopts the characteristics of this planet, known in the Arabic tradition as The Greater Fortune (al-saʿd al-akbar):
* The Archetype of the Scholar: Jupiter is personified as a judge, a wise vizier, or an enlightened scholar. Therefore, the fish-bodied figure represents spiritual wisdom hidden in deep waters (the subconscious or the divine realms).
* The Element of Water: While Jupiter is expansive, its combination with Pisces creates a figure that governs fluid motion, spiritual travel, intuition, and mysticism.
## 3. Talismanic Function and Materials
When a manuscript instructs a practitioner to copy this specific figure, it serves as a magical blueprint for engraving.
* The Metal: Because the talisman is ruled by Jupiter, the figure of the fish-man was ideally engraved onto a plate made of tin (the metal of Jupiter) or carved into stones like aquamarine or jasper.
* Astrological Timing: The practitioner had to engrave this exact fish-bodied figure during a specific election—most notably when Jupiter was transiting through Pisces (its domicile), ideally during the planetary hour of Jupiter.
* The Purpose: Wearing a talisman featuring this fish figure granted the user safe travel across oceans, protection against drowning, success in fishing or maritime trade, prophetic dreams, and protection against mental illnesses.
## 4. Ancient Origins: The Mesopotamian Connection
This Islamic depiction is a direct continuation of the ancient Babylonian Apkallu (or Oannes). In Mesopotamian myth, the Apkallu were seven fish-bodied sages sent by the water god Enki to bring civilization, writing, and magic to humanity. Arabic astral magic preserved these ancient hybrid spirits, transforming them into the astrological personifications used in medieval grimoires.
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Would you like help translating the specific Arabic text written right above the figure, or do you want to analyze the magical symbols (seals) surrounding it?
