Why the rosettes image may not be a map at all

[MarcoP]

Marco, I probably missed where you explain this - why do you believe this glyph represents water?

Hi Ellie,
I think I first read this in a comment by Orun Rubaci on the blog of You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., but I believe others observed the similarity of the symbol with that of Aqua Vitae (literally "the water of life").
It could be interesting that the T-O symbol was also a symbol of "vitriol". The glyphs in the corners of You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. are all particularly alchemy-like.

Image of Aqua Vitae from You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. 1671, of Vitriol and Mercury from this 1557 You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. (Yale. Mellon MS 38. Caspar Harttung vom Hoff. Das Vade mecum). 

I am far for sure that these symbols were in use in the XV century.
Aqua Vitae is more likely related with alcohol, but the name (and the kind of analogical reasoning frequent in alchemical works) suggests that this substance was also seen as some kind of water.