23-10-2026, 03:09 PM
Hey Quentin, thanks for your idea. The idea of: its not map, yes i got it too. But in another context. Let me tell you, what are my ideas:
While reading Plato's Republic (Politeia), the story of the Myth of Er somehow seemed familiar to me.
"Er" is a warrior who is granted a special status by the judges. He is instructed to observe everything so that he can later report it to humanity. This could then represent the overarching perspective of f85v.
I deliberately avoid interpreting this as any form of physical cleansing. In Plato's Republic, specifically the Myth of Er, the purification of souls is a moral concept.
Since Plato himself describes a three-dimensional structure (the Spindle of Necessity), while the artist could only depict it in two dimensions, this might be exactly what the representation on You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. reflects.
The connections between the circles might not actually be connections between the circles at all, but rather an underlying "layer" representing a "circular journey" or "route", perhaps the path of observation taken by Er?
In/out = "circular journey": as a metaphor for dying and awakening, the "subordinate cycle" within the "overarching representation" (the circles).
A distinction is made between souls that return directly and those that remain for a while. Could this explain the two entrances and two exits?
"Dirty" souls emerge from the depths, appearing exhausted. Are they yet to be purified? Possibly in Circle 5, which resembles "bathing gardens / baths"?
Or perhaps it is the other way around, and these are the pure souls who have experienced something wonderful there? (Circle 5 or Circle 3)
Circle 7 could then represent the "meadow" where the souls gather.
Circle 3 or 5 could, in turn, also represent the punishments the souls had to endure.
In Circle 3, the towers might then represent those who impose or carry out the punishments, similar to the judges in the judgment scene.
Could the small circle attached to Circle 3, let's call it Circle 10, represent Tartarus? The structure extending sideways from Circle 10 could represent the abyss, or Circle 10 itself could be the prison.
Could one of the circles symbolize the meadow where the returning souls gather and exchange their experiences?
Could the other two remaining circles represent the respective dwelling places of the "just" and the "unjust" souls?
If we follow the story further, towards the "Spindle of Necessity", could depiction 11 perhaps represent the light that looks like ropes holding together the hull of a ship? (Note: If Circle 10 represents the prison of Tartarus, depiction 11 could also represent a top/bottom view, mirrored around Circles 3 and 10.)
Could Odysseus, in particular, be a crucial element in the Voynich depiction? A conscious choice of "simplicity"?
Finally, 12 could represent the "Plain of Forgetfulness". It has no vegetation, not even shade, only heat. The Greek letter "lambda", although admittedly a stretch, can symbolize warmth and might therefore represent the symbol inside the circle. The fact that the circle contains no elaborate depiction could symbolize this simplicity, meaning "no shadows".
I would be very happy if you would explore these thoughts together with me, especially those of you who are familiar with Plato (I am a beginner when it comes to Plato).
My thoughts arise merely from an association. Everything should therefore be understood as speculative, with many points being nothing more than assumptions.
Please feel free to share your thoughts!
Note: Please ignore the three red lines in Circles 9, 4 and 5. I couldn't remove them anymore. // only Translation with AI from german to english
While reading Plato's Republic (Politeia), the story of the Myth of Er somehow seemed familiar to me.
"Er" is a warrior who is granted a special status by the judges. He is instructed to observe everything so that he can later report it to humanity. This could then represent the overarching perspective of f85v.
I deliberately avoid interpreting this as any form of physical cleansing. In Plato's Republic, specifically the Myth of Er, the purification of souls is a moral concept.
Since Plato himself describes a three-dimensional structure (the Spindle of Necessity), while the artist could only depict it in two dimensions, this might be exactly what the representation on You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. reflects.
The connections between the circles might not actually be connections between the circles at all, but rather an underlying "layer" representing a "circular journey" or "route", perhaps the path of observation taken by Er?
In/out = "circular journey": as a metaphor for dying and awakening, the "subordinate cycle" within the "overarching representation" (the circles).
A distinction is made between souls that return directly and those that remain for a while. Could this explain the two entrances and two exits?
"Dirty" souls emerge from the depths, appearing exhausted. Are they yet to be purified? Possibly in Circle 5, which resembles "bathing gardens / baths"?
Or perhaps it is the other way around, and these are the pure souls who have experienced something wonderful there? (Circle 5 or Circle 3)
Circle 7 could then represent the "meadow" where the souls gather.
Circle 3 or 5 could, in turn, also represent the punishments the souls had to endure.
In Circle 3, the towers might then represent those who impose or carry out the punishments, similar to the judges in the judgment scene.
Could the small circle attached to Circle 3, let's call it Circle 10, represent Tartarus? The structure extending sideways from Circle 10 could represent the abyss, or Circle 10 itself could be the prison.
Could one of the circles symbolize the meadow where the returning souls gather and exchange their experiences?
Could the other two remaining circles represent the respective dwelling places of the "just" and the "unjust" souls?
If we follow the story further, towards the "Spindle of Necessity", could depiction 11 perhaps represent the light that looks like ropes holding together the hull of a ship? (Note: If Circle 10 represents the prison of Tartarus, depiction 11 could also represent a top/bottom view, mirrored around Circles 3 and 10.)
Could Odysseus, in particular, be a crucial element in the Voynich depiction? A conscious choice of "simplicity"?
Finally, 12 could represent the "Plain of Forgetfulness". It has no vegetation, not even shade, only heat. The Greek letter "lambda", although admittedly a stretch, can symbolize warmth and might therefore represent the symbol inside the circle. The fact that the circle contains no elaborate depiction could symbolize this simplicity, meaning "no shadows".
I would be very happy if you would explore these thoughts together with me, especially those of you who are familiar with Plato (I am a beginner when it comes to Plato).
My thoughts arise merely from an association. Everything should therefore be understood as speculative, with many points being nothing more than assumptions.
Please feel free to share your thoughts!
Note: Please ignore the three red lines in Circles 9, 4 and 5. I couldn't remove them anymore. // only Translation with AI from german to english
