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Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
- Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
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Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 07-12-2017, 09:41 AM
Discussion thread: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
In this thread we will gather an overview of all rare and unique features of the VM images compared to other sources. This thread will be updated as new examples are submitted in the discussion thread. I will add one post here for each sign.
The philosophy behind this thread is that it should reflect the best knowledge we (on the forum) have so far. For example, if a trait is listed as unique and someone reports an example from another manuscript, it will be moved to "rare". Your remarks are very much appreciated in the discussion thread.
When the statement is the result of studying a relatively large corpus of Zodiac cycles, a feature classifies as "rare" when it appears in 5% or less cases. A feature can also classify as "rare" if we only know about a handful of other manuscripts where it appears. The "unique" label is reserved for VM features which have not yet been found in any other Zodiac images from the early 15thc century or before. When a feature is only attested in documents later than the VM, this will be added in the "notes" section. Those features which are not rare enough to be "rare" but still noteworthy may also be listed under "notes".
Much of the contents of this thread has been copied from forum members' contributions in the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., which is worth a read if you are interested in the VM Zodiac symbols. Many thanks to all members who made this collection of knowledge possible.
Pisces
- Unique:
- The mouth of each fish is connected to a star by a line
- Rare:- The two fish are not connected to each other by a line
- Notes:- JKP notes that blue Pisces and long-nosed Pisces are relatively uncommon.
- The mouth of each fish is connected to a star by a line
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 07-12-2017, 09:51 AM
Aries
- Unique:
- The apparent splitting of the Aries and Taurus cycle into two smaller cycles with one animal each appears to be a unique VM feature. In both Aries and Taurus, one animal is lighter than the other.
- ....
- Aries has been noted to resemble a goat rather than a ram. This feature is not unique, but still remarkable. Marco Ponzi refers to Aries in Morgan M.700, England, ca. 1325-1330, as discussed in You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. by Olga Koseleff Gordon (1963). Other goat-like Aries can be seen on You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.. The fact that the Voynich Aries animals look like goats was discussed in 2004 by You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.. Richards seems to attribute the idea to Dana Scott.
- The apparent splitting of the Aries and Taurus cycle into two smaller cycles with one animal each appears to be a unique VM feature. In both Aries and Taurus, one animal is lighter than the other.
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 07-12-2017, 10:15 AM
Taurus
Unique:- With basket [As discussed by Marco Ponzi You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.] This peculiarity was mentioned by You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. in 2001.
- The apparent splitting of the Aries and Taurus cycle into two smaller cycles with one animal each appears to be a unique VM feature. In both Aries and Taurus, one animal is lighter than the other.
- ....
Notes:- bulls with baskets can be found in Nativity scenes [VViews]
- long, lyre-shaped horns are uncommon but not extremely rare [JKP]
- With basket [As discussed by Marco Ponzi You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.] This peculiarity was mentioned by You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. in 2001.
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 07-12-2017, 10:26 AM
Gemini
- Unique:- Laced boots [JKP]
- Arms crossed: found in just a few manuscripts
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. [KG, see You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.]
- JKP reports that Male+Female Gemini that are clothed are relatively rare compared to the other combinations.
Examples of dressed Male-Female Gemini can be seen on You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.:
MS Ludwig XII 8 (Germany, 1464 ca)
ONB cod. 1842 Brevier (Poland, 1400-1427)
Getty Ms. 34 (Bologna, 1389 and 1404)
Lund Astronomical Clock, (Sweden, c1380 or 1424) [reported by Darren Worley]
Pal. Germ 148 (Bavaria, 1430-50) [reported by Ellie Velinska]
(this list is not exhaustive)
- Laced boots [JKP]
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 07-12-2017, 10:55 AM
Cancer
- Unique:- Connected by line
- Two crayfish
- Rare:- Legs are incorrectly placed: on the tail [JKP]. This was long thought to be a unique feature but a few examples have now been You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.. Salzburg, M II 180 (1440 Alsace) [KG] and ONB You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. (Prague, Bohemia, 1375?-1400) [Marco]
- Notes:- Marco Ponzi found a manuscript with You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.: BNF NAL 3191 (Western France, 1455-60) You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. . However, this manuscript multiplies many signs, so it is debatable whether it's a true parallel.
- Marco notes that while double crayfish are possibly unique, double crabs do appear in one other manuscript: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. (England, ca. 1325-1330, discussed by Olga Koseleff Gordon).
- Connected by line
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 07-12-2017, 03:24 PM
Leo
- Unique- Leo with blue spots has not yet been found in other Zodiac imagery. [JKP]
- JKP found that Blue Leos are rare in Zodiac imagery (less than 2% of zodiacs) and "primarily in English manuscripts from about 830 (England) to about mid-13th century, but there are a couple from Normandy/Flanders and France within the same time period"
- Leo with blue spots has not yet been found in other Zodiac imagery. [JKP]
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 07-12-2017, 08:33 PM
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 08-12-2017, 09:33 AM
Libra
- Unique:- Method of connecting chains/ropes to crossbar. [Diane, JKP]
NOTES:- the perspective on the two supports around the central pin appears unusual [JKP]
- the scales appear exceptionally deep, most examples are more shallow/wider [JKP]
- Method of connecting chains/ropes to crossbar. [Diane, JKP]
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 08-12-2017, 01:38 PM
Scorpio
- Unique
- Star connected to mouth by line
- Four mammalian legs
A few examples have been found in manuscripts such as the two shown below, one by You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. (MS Douce 313, 13thC England, You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.) and one by JKP (14thC France)
Another example is in You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., c 1200, Anglo-Norman [JKP]
- Notes:- JKP adds that this form appears to have originated in French churches, like the six-legged example from Chartres cathedral (c. 1198 to c. 1217).
- The Anglo-French origin of the type is independently supported by You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., who posted a selection focused on the "standing four legged" Scorpio to the forum. His final count:
Total of all possible Scorpio matches found so far: France 11; England 9; Germany 3; Netherlands 1.
- Star connected to mouth by line
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RE: Zodiac signs: rare and unique features
Koen G > 08-12-2017, 01:41 PM
Sagittarius
- Unique- Crossbowman appears idle (but see "notes").
- A fully human Sagittarius with a goatee is rare or may even be unique [JKP]
- Sagittarius with crossbow is extremely rare; it is only known from one family of manuscripts, all after 1400 ca and from German-speaking regions (but see "notes").
- The trigger bar is attached between the stirrup and the nut. Only one other example has been You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. so far, in You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., late 15th century French.
- No idle crossbowman has been found in a zodiac image contemporary with or earlier than the VM.
In 2000, You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. noticed that the Voynich Sagittarius looked like a "jovial hunter" in You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., an illustrative tradition which started in the 1430's (see You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.).
- Diane O'Donovan notes that "idle" bowmen do exist for example in the 12thC stained glass windows now in Soissons cathedral.
- The earliest known astrological crossbowman was discussed by Marco on You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.. Alfonso X’s “Astromagia” You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. BAV Reg.lat.1283 A (late 13th Century).
- A second earlier example was found by You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. shows Mars as a crossbowman (1320 ca.)
- Crossbowman appears idle (but see "notes").