05-09-2016, 09:03 PM
The visual comparison of images, particularly the odd VMs illustrations, is always going to have some element of subjectivity involved. However, with luck, there are going to be certain historical illustrations that are better than others. The VMs also has its cultural origins, but while those origins remain unclear, various comparisons have been suggested for many of the VMs illustrations. What are the relevant criteria that distinguish a useful matching of images? It seems that the criteria are going to vary from one comparison to the next. Either it's the tongue of the cat or the trigger on the crossbow.
And if there are enough of these matching criteria between the VMs and one of these external examples, then it leads to a consideration of provenance. Do these matching similarities imply a historical and cultural connection? Can that provenance then help to further investigate the VMS? Well, the proof is in the pudding. Does the proposed identification of provenance lead to further discoveries? Those that do will generally be considered more significant - in hindsight.
The sort of analysis proposed here is a different comparison. Rather than using a VMs illustration and an image from an external source, what happens if a comparison is made between two illustrations from the VMs? In many instances, the results are not going to be very useful, but that is not necessarily universal. Let's compare VMs Pisces and VMs Cancer. What are the similarities and what are the differences? There is plenty here to consider and discuss: similar structure, the possibility of common provenance and other elements of appearance.
In addition, there is the analysis (recognition) of content. Both Pisces and Cancer medallions display a pair of aquatic animals. The existence of a pair is a common factor between the two illustrations. It's clear; it's obvious, but it's probably not the first thing that comes to mind. The matching of pairs is a quantitative equality and an ideological reality that can exist and function independent of possible provenance.
Pairing is an idea that is suggested by the comparison of two VMs Zodiac illustrations. And the significance of the idea can be better determined by the investigation of the extent to which it occurs in the VMs Zodiac illustrations. Obviously Gemini can be considered to be a pair. And it goes on from there. And, again, the point being that this is not a search for similar appearance in an illustration from outside the VMs; this is an analysis of selected (VMs Zodiac) illustrations for all the various examples and expressions of a single concept, which is the internal pairing of images. And the judgment here for pairing is fairly simple: pass or fail. Whereas the comparison of illustrations for provenance has to be graded on the curve.
The search for pairings in the first five houses of the VMs Zodiac reveals a long list of examples. In my estimation, the existence of these numerous examples is the result of a complex, intentional construction. And that is an indicator of potential significance.
And if there are enough of these matching criteria between the VMs and one of these external examples, then it leads to a consideration of provenance. Do these matching similarities imply a historical and cultural connection? Can that provenance then help to further investigate the VMS? Well, the proof is in the pudding. Does the proposed identification of provenance lead to further discoveries? Those that do will generally be considered more significant - in hindsight.
The sort of analysis proposed here is a different comparison. Rather than using a VMs illustration and an image from an external source, what happens if a comparison is made between two illustrations from the VMs? In many instances, the results are not going to be very useful, but that is not necessarily universal. Let's compare VMs Pisces and VMs Cancer. What are the similarities and what are the differences? There is plenty here to consider and discuss: similar structure, the possibility of common provenance and other elements of appearance.
In addition, there is the analysis (recognition) of content. Both Pisces and Cancer medallions display a pair of aquatic animals. The existence of a pair is a common factor between the two illustrations. It's clear; it's obvious, but it's probably not the first thing that comes to mind. The matching of pairs is a quantitative equality and an ideological reality that can exist and function independent of possible provenance.
Pairing is an idea that is suggested by the comparison of two VMs Zodiac illustrations. And the significance of the idea can be better determined by the investigation of the extent to which it occurs in the VMs Zodiac illustrations. Obviously Gemini can be considered to be a pair. And it goes on from there. And, again, the point being that this is not a search for similar appearance in an illustration from outside the VMs; this is an analysis of selected (VMs Zodiac) illustrations for all the various examples and expressions of a single concept, which is the internal pairing of images. And the judgment here for pairing is fairly simple: pass or fail. Whereas the comparison of illustrations for provenance has to be graded on the curve.
The search for pairings in the first five houses of the VMs Zodiac reveals a long list of examples. In my estimation, the existence of these numerous examples is the result of a complex, intentional construction. And that is an indicator of potential significance.