22-08-2016, 05:21 PM
Welcome to the forum, Chris!
I agree that symbolical aspects must always be taken into account. If our angle of attack relies purely on botanical aspects, we are bound to fail.
The fact that you realize how difficult this is, I see as a good thing. Our understanding is growing that the manuscript may contain chronological and geographical layers that find their origins far beyond and before medieval Europe. It is this synthesis of various culture's edits to the material (which additionally are different from one section to the other) that make the imagery impossible to interpret at a glance - or even a thousand glances
(I add that this is still a minority view, though less so than before. Others will tell you that the manuscript is weird because its medieval European author had an unusual world view).
Now to the topic of this plant. Thinking of it as an underwater plant is a fresh idea, though I see absolutely no indication of water.
I have always thought of this plant as alluding to some kind of torch or brazier. Doesn't it look like a stick with some blazing flame? This would mean that the plant's wood was probably suitable for making a fire. I don't specialize in the large plants though, so this is mere speculation.
I agree that symbolical aspects must always be taken into account. If our angle of attack relies purely on botanical aspects, we are bound to fail.
The fact that you realize how difficult this is, I see as a good thing. Our understanding is growing that the manuscript may contain chronological and geographical layers that find their origins far beyond and before medieval Europe. It is this synthesis of various culture's edits to the material (which additionally are different from one section to the other) that make the imagery impossible to interpret at a glance - or even a thousand glances
(I add that this is still a minority view, though less so than before. Others will tell you that the manuscript is weird because its medieval European author had an unusual world view).
Now to the topic of this plant. Thinking of it as an underwater plant is a fresh idea, though I see absolutely no indication of water.
I have always thought of this plant as alluding to some kind of torch or brazier. Doesn't it look like a stick with some blazing flame? This would mean that the plant's wood was probably suitable for making a fire. I don't specialize in the large plants though, so this is mere speculation.