Pond creatures (f79v)

[Linda]

Linda, it's so hard to know how it might be interpreted.

For one, there is the question of scale. Let's pretend for a moment that there are geographical details in the VMS...


How big or how small are these details in relation to real structures, and how big or small are they in relation to each other?


And then there's the different mindset that people in the Middle Ages had about "reality". The line between myth and science was very thin (and sometimes nonexistent).

And are they meant to be read as a literal geographical map? Or as a symbolic map? Or as a mythical map?

I have seen a "map" in a British manuscript that was actually a "map" of classical scholars. Another was a map of the seven hills of Greece (which have a lot of mythical significance related to the gods, but also actually exist in real life).

I think the cross staff gives a clue, things which can be seen are bigger than they appear to the eye.



This is the area i think is shown. You are right about strange orientations. The Persian Gulf is on the previous page, and is not part of this page other than reference.  The first two nymphs are those two bays in India in a north south orientation. Note the first one is connected to a river, that would be the Indus. Then turn the map 45 degrees so that they are at the top.The next one is the Gulf of Oman. From there you can get back to the Persian Gulf or go on to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, i think that is what that one says. The next tube thing describes the Gulf of Aden, which in this orientation does look like a funnel type thing, and now the red sea looks horizontal as well. 

I really believe it is showing a tour of the major lakes, seas, gulfs and rivers and how they interact with each other. Ive been taking it to the extreme in terms of what time period is being shown but if the zodiac describes ages of civilization then i think it is a plausible consideration. 

There could well be further alternate symbolism beyond that.