Cannot edit previous comment anymore, so I have to add it here:
the central "sun"
is nothing less than the
quintessence or
fifth element, symbolized by the sun, gold or even diamonds.
Aether fills the skies beyond the moon according to ancient Greek understanding (and some others), this may be meant by these fountains. A alchemistic or philisophical usage came after production of VMS, even the word quintessence was introduced not earlier than 16th century.
That would complete this drawing as a representation of four tempers/complexions/elements according to Hippokrates and the fifth element in center.
(by the way, the "Phlegma" guy on the right, holding up a small bottle, is driven by yellow bile. All temperaments refer to body liquids and, thereby, bottles, as shown in previous posting. The Sanguine is often accompanied by birds of different sizes, not necessarily coming from a bottle. At all, there is no "doctor examining a bottle of piss" in VMS...)
This here is for comparison with 12th century drawing, previous post (from a german manuscript 15th ct):
It continues the representation of Melancholia by a woman with a spindle;
VMS for some reason left that style and shows the lady with the green-blue dress and a wreath as "Melancholia".
Another one:
"Sanguine" is accompanied by a
goat eating grapes which severely reminds of f 70v/71r.
- I know that Ripa's book and this picture is at least 150 years younger;
but it founds upon an understanding assembled centuries before VMS' production.
This is the page with "Geissbock" (somewhere in the middle of it): You are not allowed to view links.
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- webpage also refers to the medical poem You are not allowed to view links.
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- Italian readers may have noticed the citation of Pierio Valeriano already (who is too young as well for VMS), but also a reference to Aristotle
- the
goat of Sanguine is not necessarily the zodiacs'
Aries or even
Capricorn;
as there is no clear evidence for both goats in 70v and 71r being
Aries, apart from those weird, later-added "abril" labels,
there
may be an understanding for both roundels of 70v, 71r being just collections of human, elementary or already alchemistic properties which just describe the
Sanguine/Air !
Aries and
Capricorn are not connected to Sanguine, but to Phlegma and Melancholia.
Those who still believe Voynichese is a 1:1 Latin-based edition may have a try with the corresponding Sanguine/Choleric/Melancholic/Phlegmatic chapters in the Regimen poem.
Good luck!