VV: I know you have spent a lot of time studying the poses and forming a conclusion about them, and I think I'd agree with at least part of it, especially when it comes to them being somewhat limited and formalised, fr lack of a better word.
I wouldn't say this is off topic though. The surroundings of and object might tell us as much about it as the object itself. We may not know for sure whether they do, but in order to identify an object, an analysis of the situation in which it is found is as good an approach as any.
Let's say we ignore the pose. I see the pose as mostly symbolical as well. But there is another problem. The figure is surrounded by an impressive set of cloud bands. In the other thread, there was an unusual amount of agreement about the significance of these lines. In general a border between realms, and in the medieval context mostly with a heavenly connotation or at least a form of exaltation. Can you understand why I find the proposal of an enema the most problematic one so far?
I wouldn't say this is off topic though. The surroundings of and object might tell us as much about it as the object itself. We may not know for sure whether they do, but in order to identify an object, an analysis of the situation in which it is found is as good an approach as any.
Let's say we ignore the pose. I see the pose as mostly symbolical as well. But there is another problem. The figure is surrounded by an impressive set of cloud bands. In the other thread, there was an unusual amount of agreement about the significance of these lines. In general a border between realms, and in the medieval context mostly with a heavenly connotation or at least a form of exaltation. Can you understand why I find the proposal of an enema the most problematic one so far?