Carved stone head from El Juyo, north Spain, dating to circa 12,000 BCE, contemporaneous with the Magdalenian III culture
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.upi.com/amp/Archives/1981/11/28/A-cave-in-northern-Spain-has-yielded-what-scientists/7039375771600/
https://www.paleolithicartmagazine.org/pagina33.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.upi.com/amp/Archives/1981/11/28/A-cave-in-northern-Spain-has-yielded-what-scientists/7039375771600/
https://www.paleolithicartmagazine.org/pagina33.html
Forwarded from 𝕊𝕠𝕝 ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕟 ☀️
Akhenaten, the First Monotheist
Akhenaten, pharaoh of Egypt from approximately 1353 to 1336 BC during the 18th Dynasty, was a polarizing figure whose reign, known as the Amarna Period, brought unprecedented social, political, and religious upheaval. Initially Amenhotep IV, he changed his name to Akhenaten, "Effective for Aten" in his fifth regnal year, signaling his devotion to the Aten, the sun disk, and a break from Egypt's traditional polytheistic system dominated by the powerful Amun priesthood. Akhenaten's revolution centered on the Aten, which he declared in his ninth regnal year to be Egypt's only God. Aten was depicted as a sun disk with life-giving rays, and Akhenaten banned idols, proclaiming himself the sole intermediary between Aten and the people, thereby diverting all worship and profits to the royal family. The Great Hymn to the Aten, likely authored by Akhenaten, refers to Aten as, "O sole god, like whom there is no other!" and, "Thou living Aton, the beginning of life!" His reforms were radical: he forbade the worship of other gods, actively persecuting traditional cults by closing temples, defacing deities' names and images, and seizing their vast resources. A pivotal move was relocating the capital from Thebes to Akhetaten, "Horizon of the Aton," a "virgin site" dedicated solely to Aten's worship. The Amarna period also saw a revolutionary art style, with elongated figures and intimate royal depictions.
The debate continues whether Atenism was true monotheism or henotheism/monolatry. Arguments for monotheism cite Akhenaten's exclusive worship, active suppression of other deities, and the singular focus in Atenist texts, noting similarities to Abrahamic religions (though without direct influence). Counterarguments point to Aten's pre-Akhenaten existence and his initial recognition of other gods, suggesting an intensification of existing henotheistic traditions rather than a complete break. Akhenaten faced significant opposition from the priesthood, nobility, and populace, as his reforms disrupted deeply ingrained traditions and caused economic instability. Upon his death, likely in his 17th regnal year, his reforms were swiftly abandoned. His presumed son, Tutankhaten, guided by advisors like Ay and Horemheb, restored the Amun cult and renamed himself Tutankhamun. Akhenaten was subjected to damnatio memoriae, "condemnation of memory", a systematic campaign to erase him and his successors from historical records, involving the destruction of depictions, removal of names, and dismantling of Aten temples.
Akhenaten, pharaoh of Egypt from approximately 1353 to 1336 BC during the 18th Dynasty, was a polarizing figure whose reign, known as the Amarna Period, brought unprecedented social, political, and religious upheaval. Initially Amenhotep IV, he changed his name to Akhenaten, "Effective for Aten" in his fifth regnal year, signaling his devotion to the Aten, the sun disk, and a break from Egypt's traditional polytheistic system dominated by the powerful Amun priesthood. Akhenaten's revolution centered on the Aten, which he declared in his ninth regnal year to be Egypt's only God. Aten was depicted as a sun disk with life-giving rays, and Akhenaten banned idols, proclaiming himself the sole intermediary between Aten and the people, thereby diverting all worship and profits to the royal family. The Great Hymn to the Aten, likely authored by Akhenaten, refers to Aten as, "O sole god, like whom there is no other!" and, "Thou living Aton, the beginning of life!" His reforms were radical: he forbade the worship of other gods, actively persecuting traditional cults by closing temples, defacing deities' names and images, and seizing their vast resources. A pivotal move was relocating the capital from Thebes to Akhetaten, "Horizon of the Aton," a "virgin site" dedicated solely to Aten's worship. The Amarna period also saw a revolutionary art style, with elongated figures and intimate royal depictions.
The debate continues whether Atenism was true monotheism or henotheism/monolatry. Arguments for monotheism cite Akhenaten's exclusive worship, active suppression of other deities, and the singular focus in Atenist texts, noting similarities to Abrahamic religions (though without direct influence). Counterarguments point to Aten's pre-Akhenaten existence and his initial recognition of other gods, suggesting an intensification of existing henotheistic traditions rather than a complete break. Akhenaten faced significant opposition from the priesthood, nobility, and populace, as his reforms disrupted deeply ingrained traditions and caused economic instability. Upon his death, likely in his 17th regnal year, his reforms were swiftly abandoned. His presumed son, Tutankhaten, guided by advisors like Ay and Horemheb, restored the Amun cult and renamed himself Tutankhamun. Akhenaten was subjected to damnatio memoriae, "condemnation of memory", a systematic campaign to erase him and his successors from historical records, involving the destruction of depictions, removal of names, and dismantling of Aten temples.
Forwarded from 𝕊𝕠𝕝 ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕟 ☀️
The Misunderstood Hexagram
The hexagram, widely known as the Star of David (Magen David) in Judaism, is a powerful and ancient symbol with diverse interpretations that extend beyond its modern Jewish association. While its prominent use in Jewish communities grew from the 17th century in Europe and was later adopted by the Zionist movement, the hexagram appeared as a decorative motif in many early cultures. The name "Magen David" is linked to King David, but solid historical evidence for this specific connection is limited; some theories suggest astrological ties or a link to the mythical "Seal of Solomon." Esoterically, the hexagram commonly signifies the union of opposites: the upward-pointing triangle representing the divine, spirit, or masculine, and the downward-pointing triangle symbolizing the earthly, matter, or feminine. This convergence embodies balance, harmony, and the Hermetic principle of "as above, so below."
Alchemically speaking, the hexagram consistently symbolizes the conjunction of opposing forces, particularly fire (upward triangle) and water (downward triangle), crucial for transformation and achieving the perfect balance of the alchemical magnum opus. In Vedic traditions, the hexagram is known as the Shatkona (षट्कोण), meaning "six-pointed." It's a profound and ancient symbol that is central to Yantras (mystical diagrams used in meditation and rituals). The Shatkona represents the sacred union of Shiva (Purusha), the masculine divine principle (upward triangle), and Shakti (Prakriti), the feminine divine energy (downward triangle). This divine union is considered the source of all creation, emphasizing the balance of male and female energies that leads to new life or spiritual realization. It's also associated with Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Shakti, who is sometimes depicted with six faces. The Shatkona visually embodies the fundamental cosmic duality and its harmonious resolution, a core concept in Vedic philosophy.
The hexagram, widely known as the Star of David (Magen David) in Judaism, is a powerful and ancient symbol with diverse interpretations that extend beyond its modern Jewish association. While its prominent use in Jewish communities grew from the 17th century in Europe and was later adopted by the Zionist movement, the hexagram appeared as a decorative motif in many early cultures. The name "Magen David" is linked to King David, but solid historical evidence for this specific connection is limited; some theories suggest astrological ties or a link to the mythical "Seal of Solomon." Esoterically, the hexagram commonly signifies the union of opposites: the upward-pointing triangle representing the divine, spirit, or masculine, and the downward-pointing triangle symbolizing the earthly, matter, or feminine. This convergence embodies balance, harmony, and the Hermetic principle of "as above, so below."
Alchemically speaking, the hexagram consistently symbolizes the conjunction of opposing forces, particularly fire (upward triangle) and water (downward triangle), crucial for transformation and achieving the perfect balance of the alchemical magnum opus. In Vedic traditions, the hexagram is known as the Shatkona (षट्कोण), meaning "six-pointed." It's a profound and ancient symbol that is central to Yantras (mystical diagrams used in meditation and rituals). The Shatkona represents the sacred union of Shiva (Purusha), the masculine divine principle (upward triangle), and Shakti (Prakriti), the feminine divine energy (downward triangle). This divine union is considered the source of all creation, emphasizing the balance of male and female energies that leads to new life or spiritual realization. It's also associated with Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Shakti, who is sometimes depicted with six faces. The Shatkona visually embodies the fundamental cosmic duality and its harmonious resolution, a core concept in Vedic philosophy.
Forwarded from lady ⊱Âriyana🪽Anahita~Mazda
📜 From the Archives: The 2,500-Year-Old Innoscription That Cracked the Code of Cuneiform
High on the rugged limestone cliffs of Bisitun Pass, in what is now western Iran, stands a monumental message from the past that changed the course of history.
Commissioned by King Darius I of Persia over 2,500 years ago, this vast innoscription — written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian — became the key to deciphering cuneiform, the world’s oldest known writing system.
Much like the Rosetta Stone unlocked Egyptian hieroglyphs, the Behistun Innoscription revealed the secrets of Mesopotamia’s lost languages. Once scholars cracked its code, thousands of ancient tablets, once silent, began to speak — telling us of kings and conquests, gods and laws, markets and myths.
Thanks to this single, towering text, the hidden world of the Achaemenid Empire and its neighbors came alive again — a testament to how one innoscription can illuminate an entire civilization.
#TheTimeExcavator #BehistunInnoscription #Cuneiform #AncientPersia #Archaeology #WorldHistory
High on the rugged limestone cliffs of Bisitun Pass, in what is now western Iran, stands a monumental message from the past that changed the course of history.
Commissioned by King Darius I of Persia over 2,500 years ago, this vast innoscription — written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian — became the key to deciphering cuneiform, the world’s oldest known writing system.
Much like the Rosetta Stone unlocked Egyptian hieroglyphs, the Behistun Innoscription revealed the secrets of Mesopotamia’s lost languages. Once scholars cracked its code, thousands of ancient tablets, once silent, began to speak — telling us of kings and conquests, gods and laws, markets and myths.
Thanks to this single, towering text, the hidden world of the Achaemenid Empire and its neighbors came alive again — a testament to how one innoscription can illuminate an entire civilization.
#TheTimeExcavator #BehistunInnoscription #Cuneiform #AncientPersia #Archaeology #WorldHistory
Forwarded from Alex
London.
I booked myself onto a tour led by some amateur tour guide, was just me and him and we spent the day going around London dissecting all the symbolism in architecture etc. Lots of dragons, lots of pine cones, lots of masonic churches. One stop was London's Mithraeum.
I booked myself onto a tour led by some amateur tour guide, was just me and him and we spent the day going around London dissecting all the symbolism in architecture etc. Lots of dragons, lots of pine cones, lots of masonic churches. One stop was London's Mithraeum.