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• The Genoese Gambit

• The Genoese Gambit

  R. Sale > 11-04-2026, 08:25 PM

  Everything depends on interpretation. Useful interpretation depends on knowledge derived from relevant information, not from opinion. Relevant information comes from historical facts. In the VMs there are a few places where the artist makes use of historical facts.
  
  One example is the use of historical heraldry on VMs White Aries (f71r). The structural duality based on radial versus non-radial interpretations of the orientation of the two blue-striped tub patterns is a clear indication that this is intentional duplicity.
  
  Does the reader know the armorial insignia of the Roman Catholic pope who instituted the tradition of the cardinal's red galero?

• RE: The Genoese Gambit

  JustAnotherTheory > 12-04-2026, 07:56 AM

  Can you be more specific? Which pattern? I fail to see what you are talking about.

• RE: The Genoese Gambit

  R. Sale > 12-04-2026, 10:58 PM

  On VMs White Aries, between 9:00 and 12:00, there are two examples of tubs patterned with blue stripes. One tub in each ring.
  
  Given the tub patterns from VMs Pisces, what are the options for heraldic interpretation of any of these patterns? Some basic heraldic patterns are composed of alternating vertical, horizontal and diagonal stripes. And chevrons.
  
  What is the status of the White Aries examples? The natural tendency is to view the image so that the "occupant" of the tub is upright. That determines the orientation of the striped tub patterns: one vertical, one bend sinister. Various historical connections for heraldic interpretation may exist here, but nothing special so far.
  
  Now, turn off the radial cloaking device and see the two blue-striped patterns in isolation on the page. Now the orientation of the stripes is diagonal from the dexter side for both of them. The pairing stands out, like the zodiac medallions. The historical record of the Fieschi popes based on their heraldic identification is blazoned as 'Bendy, argent et azure'.
  
  The historical interpretation is further demonstrated in the fact that the relevant occupant in the inner ring is wearing a wide brimmed, reddish hat. This reflects certain historical events. The tradition of the cardinal's red galero is part of ecclesiastical heraldry. It is the first of various, strong confirmations, and there is other trickery as well.
  
  The circular construction of White Aries is a clear duality. Duality by default. There are two interpretations built into the structural representation. And, given the historical insignificance of the primary, radial interpretation, in comparison with the historical importance of the secondary, 'somewhat' disguised, non-radial, religious interpretation, it seems again (cosmos) that there is intentional artistic deception at play. However, the greater obstacle by far has been the loss of historical detail. Interpretation depends on the details that the reader knows.

• RE: The Genoese Gambit

  R. Sale > 14-04-2026, 09:50 PM

  *Does the reader know the armorial insignia of the pope who initiated the tradition of the cardinal's red galero?* That is the question posed by the VMs artist in the White Aries illustration. Does the reader know the necessary details of heraldry and history that are relevant to this potential identification? So far, the reader is mum. Chasing pareidolia.
  
  The construction of the blue-striped tubs on VMs White Aries is a clear example of dualistic interpretation between radial and non-radial perspectives. The heraldic connection to the insignia of the Fieschi popes is supported by three factors: pattern (dexter diagonal stripes from the non-radial perspective), color (blue), and the tubs are paired.
  
  In the era of the VMs, popes only had coats-of-arms if they were actually 'armorial'. The Fieschi were descendants of the Counts of Lavagna. Several centuries later, the church gave all popes coats-of-arms to fill in retroactively.
  
  The first three factors come from armorial heraldry; the fourth factor comes from ecclesiastical heraldry. That is the red galero - or more generally the use of colored hats to designate rank [red for cardinals] and order [white for Premonstratensians] within the church. Premonstratensians were big for a while, included women, but mostly faded in Western Europe before VMs C-14.
  
  It was Sinibaldo Fieschi as Pope Innocent IV, who started the tradition of the red galero. In 1251 he also made his nephew Ottobuono Fieschi a cardinal. Ottobuono was later elected as Pope Adrian V. but died before being installed.
  
  Heraldry also needs to be seen in detail. The Fieschi blazon is, Bendy, argent et azure. Diagonal blue and white stripes. But how many? And which stripe is blue or white? The bendy pattern has certain complications which result in different representations. The standard design, called a bendy of six parts, (three white lines and three blue lines) is a modern designation well after VMS C-14. So, there was no specified number of stripes, and with tubs being three dimensional, the stripes would alternate all the way around.
   
  Another problem occurs because the structure of modern representations of the bendy pattern often has three stripes descending from the top line. This creates a conflict with how the colors are placed. The top of the dexter corner should be the primary color. There are representations colored both ways. A modified version to split the difference has three and a half stripes on the top line. However, the real solution, as seen on the tomb of Pope Adrian V, is to divide the top line by four, with somewhat steeper diagonals.
  
  These are some of the details supporting the Genoese Gambit.
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