The Voynich Ninja

[quote="Koen G" pid='88787' dateline='1785484408']
Reminds me of this image from You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., "Queen with four attendant maidens playing musical instruments. French translation of De claris mulieribus." One of the "musicians" is simply staring at a distaff.

Yes, it does look like a distaff. However, the lute and the cup are not merely objects devoid of meaning; they carry symbolism derived from the Book of Revelation. There are deeper connections involved. It is a scene that recurs in "Beatus" manuscripts. This provides a perfect explanation for my hypothesis. I also see other connections in these manuscripts—such as plants serving as metaphors—which I am currently researching and verifying, and which I will present here as well.

(31-07-2026, 08:53 AM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.One of the "musicians" is simply staring at a distaff.

Could that be a handbell?

All the best,--stolfi

(31-07-2026, 10:50 AM)Jorge_Stolfi Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Could that be a handbell?

All the best,--stolfi

I really don't know, the way it's colored suggests gathered wool to me. A lot depends on whether this image is original or misinterpreted from a copy. It could also just be that one of the maids is spinning - though there is no spindle.

The text in the Beatus MS at post 291 says that they are holding guitars (i.e. string instruments)

AGNUS STANS IN MONTEM SION ET CUM EO CENTUM QUADRAGUM QUATUOR MILI HABENTES CYTHARAS.

(Copy-paste, sorry for the caps)

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(31-07-2026, 07:17 AM)Radim Dobeš Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.In art history, the term "Beatus" refers to any richly illustrated medieval manuscript containing the text of the *Commentary on the Apocalypse*. In my view, much of the pictorial content of the VMS can be found in these manuscripts. The object the figures are holding is a lute.

Hi Radim, I've popped back in and caught up on this thread, and I have to say I'm finding your image matching very interesting - and I take back my earlier criticism of it. I was hard on you over the Enoch thing, so it's only fair to offer you some thanks for your valuable work 

(31-07-2026, 02:09 PM)Oscroft Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Hi Radim, I've popped back in and caught up on this thread, and I have to say I'm finding your image matching very interesting - and I take back my earlier criticism of it. I was hard on you over the Enoch thing, so it's only fair to offer you some thanks for your valuable work 

That’s alright; I’ve taken harder knocks than this—it’s just incredibly complex and convoluted. I’m pressing on. Every piece of criticism has helped me discover something new.

Let me join the discussion on the instrument thing. 

The key fragment is Revelation 5:8

et cum aperuisset librum quattuor animalia et viginti quattuor seniores ceciderunt coram agno habentes singuli citharas et fialas aureas plenas odoramentorum quae sunt orationes sanctorum

And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

The instrument is originally called kithara ( You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. ). This word is the orgin of our "guitar" word. It is translated in different Bible versions as harp, lyre or zither.

As you may guess, medieval illustrators from Spain or Germany didn't really know what "kithara" is and how it looks  They drew instruments that they were familiar with, like for example lute ( You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. )

And now going to our naked lady from VM:


I was previously wondering what she is holding. Now I would consider 3 options:

1) a musical instrument, inspired by "harps" hold by the Elders in the Revelation scene

2) distaff / spindle, some gadget connected to spinning, I am really bad at this stuff 

3) My personal proposition coming from de Balneis Puteolanis - bellows
[attachment=16916]
The problem with bellows is that people usually hold it with two hands, differently than the nymph in Voynich.

So I would say the best guess is that the inspiration for the nymph could be indeed Elders from Revelation scene holding harps (not looking like harps at all),

This is what the stringed instrument might have looked like: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

In the Beatus of the Girona Codex, the musical instruments held by the Elders worshipping the Lamb were replaced by long liturgical perfume vessels.

   The figures hold a carrying handle, followed by a flask that contains the perfume. The neck of the vessel extends from the flask, and fine strands representing incense smoke can be seen emerging from the opening.

Another Byzantine icon featuring John the Baptist. At his feet lies a plant that serves as a symbol and a parable; it represents spiritual urgency and warns that those who do not bear good fruit will face judgment.

Identity: A famous Byzantine vita-icon of St. John the Baptist (the Forerunner) with Scenes from his Life.
Date & Origin: First half of the 13th century, located at St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, Egypt.