New Year getting closer every minute. You will not have time to look back and he will already be standing on the threshold. Without waiting for the arrival, you can only make a small forecast and explain the behavior of the fire monkey.
What does the monkey symbolize?
In the East, the monkey is considered as dedication, mutual assistance, dexterity, mobility, desires, aspirations, enterprise, tricks, curiosity, activity. Yes, in Chinese myths she had the ability to transform into various creatures, possessed incredible strength. The Japanese believe that the monkey brings happiness. In Egypt, the monkey is a symbol of wisdom.
In Christianity, the monkey pointed to sins, holding an apple in its hands, it was depicted in painting, symbolizing the fall of Adam and Eve. In general, the symbol is quite favorable and pleasant, excluding excessive curiosity.
Forecasts for 2016
The vitality of the fiery monkey is accompanied by intuitive solution questions. So, it is better to think over everything planned in a better way in order to avoid a breakdown and troubles. For many, the year will be decisive. The year brings new perspectives. The year is marked by the rapprochement of old acquaintances, the emergence of new friends, the strengthening of old relationships. Perhaps the resumption of interrupted or forgotten communication with someone.
Absolutely everyone can show leadership qualities this year, so feel free to show your initiative. If there are goals, try to achieve them. Do not indulge in sadness when you fail.
The monkey will help those who strive for their plans and are not upset over trifles.
Conflicts are possible, the monkey will tease you and calm down. Do not succumb to minute intrigues, they will quickly disappear, the situation will resolve itself. This year it is recommended to pull yourself together, begin to control your emotions.
How to relax in 2016?
This year it is better to take a break. A calm environment will help health. Also, the year of the monkey will give time to restore nerves and strength. It is recommended to rest by the sea, relaxation, trips out of town, picnics, walks in the forest, in the park, in the fresh air.
New places will come up. Exotic countries also have a significant effect on the body.
In general, 2016 will bring success and prosperity. For many, the year will be decisive. The monkey will help you gain vitality and relax, become more adventurous. Values for many will change.
Opinions about the monkey are quite sharply and clearly divided along the East-West mental line. In the countries of the East, especially in Egypt, India and China, the monkey symbolizes wisdom, courage, dexterity and selflessness. Another thing is the West, where our heroine has become the main character in caustic fables and an ugly caricature of a person. For Europeans, the monkey personifies such vicious human qualities, as stupidity, vanity, imbalance, greed, laziness and lust, and in relation to a woman - also cutesy coquetry, importunate curiosity, frivolity and talkativeness.
The reason for such a negative attitude of a European towards a monkey, a fidgety and shrill creature from a distant and alien world, is easy to understand. The funny antics and antics of a monkey imitating a person are often perceived as an evil parody of himself. However, the actions of the monkey lack meaningfulness, and all its attempts to compare with a person are completely in vain, this is “monkey labor”, ridiculed in fables.
In the mythology of the Indians and Chinese, divine monkeys often play the role of smart and dexterous heroes. greatest glory acquired by the Indian monkey god Hanuman - a brave warrior and faithful companion of the god - the hero Rama. Hanuman is endowed with miraculous abilities: he flies through the air, changes his appearance and size, and his strength is such that it allows him to tear mountains out of the earth. While still a foolish baby, Hanuman tried to swallow the sun, mistaking it for appetizing fruit, but the thunder god Indra, protecting the heavenly body, threw his thunderbolt at him and broke the jaw of the monkey god. Since then, he was nicknamed Hanum-nom, i.e. "having a broken jaw."
Indians are very proud of their mythological hero, and representatives of the Jaitwas tribe living in the state of Rajasthan, in northwestern India, even assured that they were descended from Hanum-na, since their princes had a longer spine than all other people, similar to monkey tail.
Oddly enough, but in many myths different peoples it is claimed that monkeys are descended from ... people. So did the Indians of Central America, who expressed the idea that monkeys were once human tribe, and the inhabitants of Southeast Africa, who called them the "first people". As for the reasons for the transformation of some people into monkeys, opinions differ here.
In some Indian myths tells about a tribe of bloodthirsty cannibals, defeated by people and pushed back into the dense forests. There, the cannibals became completely feral and eventually turned into monkeys. These myths echo the traditions of the African Bambuti and Efe tribes, saying that chimpanzees are ancient tribe people expelled into dense forests by other tribes for their evil and quarrelsome disposition.
IN ancient Greek mythology there is a mention of a tribe of kerkop who inhabited the island of Pitecus (literally, "monkey island") and were turned into monkeys by Zeus for their constant vile lies.
The South African Zulus saw the reason for the degradation of people in their monstrous laziness. According to Zulu myth, people African tribe the Amathenians, completely lazy, stopped cultivating the land. Deciding to feed on the labor of other people, they tied the handles of hoes that had become useless to them to their backs. Over time, these handles adhered to the body of the Amathens and turned into tails, their entire body was covered with hair, their foreheads hung down, and the Amathens turned into baboons.
According to many Christian missionaries who preached to the Negroes, their wards were absolutely sure that the monkeys could talk, but wisely kept quiet so that they would not be forced to work.
So, if we take all of the above at face value, then contrary to the generally accepted theory of evolution, it turns out that it is not man who evolved from a monkey, but just the opposite! Of course, a myth is not yet a scientific fact, but, as you know, under the bizarre layers of human fantasy there is always a certain rational grain, you just need to be able to extract it without damaging it. In addition, numerous experiments conducted by scientists on anthropoid primates convincingly prove that no amount of training and education can help a monkey become a man. On the other hand, a person cut off from civilized society for a long time easily falls into a wild state, unless he has great willpower and amazing diligence. There are a great many examples in history of how a person isolated from the benefits of civilization descended to the level of an animal. Here it is already scientific facts! I wonder what Charles Darwin would say to all this?
In the religion of many peoples of the East, the monkey was revered as a sacred animal. In Egypt, the baboon was seen as a symbol of wisdom, in China, the female gibbon personified maternal care, and in Japan, a toy monkey is still considered a child's amulet. However, the real expanse for monkeys in India. There still exist temples dedicated to them, where monkeys live carelessly on full government support. Despite the fact that rhesus monkeys, literally flooding the states of India, cause serious damage agriculture countries, break into houses, steal and damage things, and sometimes even kidnap children, they nevertheless enjoy complete immunity, they cannot even be driven away. Quite recently, a very curious incident occurred in India: some insidious macaque managed to steal from a guarded office of a certain high rank folder with secret documents. I wonder if the divine monkey will be charged with espionage? Or maybe she will be offered to cooperate with the special services?
In Tibetan Buddhism, our heroine had an even higher honor. There, the sacred monkey gave birth to six ancestors of the Tibetan people, after which she took and incarnated into the bodhisattva (saint) Avalokiteshvara, who, in turn, each time incarnates into the next Dalai Lama, the spiritual father of the Tibetans. Such a Tibetan "matryoshka" is not subject to our understanding, but the East is a delicate matter.
In Christianity, the monkey is not allowed such liberties, since the church has branded it as the personification of vicious passions, as a symbol of idolatry and diabolical heresies.
IN fine arts Since the Middle Ages, the monkey has become an allegory of art itself, since artists supposedly only imitate what has already been created by nature. Depicting the artist as a monkey writing female portrait, self-critical Flemish painters philosophically uttered: "Art is a monkey of nature!" As for the monkey as such, it mostly “shone” in the caricature genre. In Christian painting, a monkey with an apple in its teeth personified the fall of Adam and Eve.
The famous Shinto shrine Nikko Tosho-gu in the Japanese city of Nikko houses a work of art known throughout the world. A carved panel depicting three wise monkeys has been located above the door of this temple since the 17th century. The carving made by the sculptor Hidari Jingorō is an illustration famous phrase“I don’t see anything, I don’t hear anything, I don’t say anything.”
Three wise monkeys. / Photo: noomarketing.net
It is believed that this proverb came to Japan from China in the 8th century as part of the Tendai Buddhist philosophy. It represents three dogmas that symbolize worldly wisdom. The monkey carved panel is just one small part of a large series of panels at the Tosho-gu shrine.
Three monkeys at the Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, Japan.
There are 8 panels in total, which are the "Code of Conduct" developed by the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius. In the collection of sayings of the philosopher "Lun Yu" ("Analects of Confucius") there is a similar phrase. Only in the edition, dating from about the 2nd - 4th centuries of our era, it sounded a little differently: “Do not look at what is contrary to decency; do not listen to what is contrary to decency; do not say what is contrary to decency; do not do what is contrary to decency." It is possible that this is the original phrase, which was shortened after it appeared in Japan.
World War II poster addressed to the participants in the Manhattan Project.
The monkeys on the carved panel are Japanese macaques, which are very common in the Country rising sun. Monkeys sit in a row on the panel, the first of them covers its ears with its paws, the second closes its mouth, and the third is carved with closed eyes.
Monkeys are commonly known as "see not, hear, not speak", but in fact, they have their own names. The monkey that covers its ears is Kikazaru, the one that covers its mouth is Iwazaru, and Mizaru closes its eyes.
Three wise monkeys on the beach in Barcelona.
The names are probably a play on words as they all end in "zaru", which is Japanese means monkey. The second meaning of this word is "leave", that is, each word can be interpreted as a phrase aimed at evil.
Together, this composition in Japanese is called "Sambiki-Saru", that is, "Three mystical monkeys." Sometimes, a fourth monkey named Shizaru is added to the well-known trio, which represents the principle of "doing no evil." It is worth noting that according to the generally accepted opinion, Shizara was added much later in the souvenir industry, only for commercial purposes.
Casting from brass.
Monkeys represent an approach to life in the Shinto and Koshin religions. Historians believe that the symbol of the three monkeys is about 500 years old, however, some argue that such a symbolism was spread in Asia by Buddhist monks, originating in the ancient Hindu tradition. Pictures of monkeys can be seen on ancient koshin scrolls, while the Tosho-gu shrine, where the famous panel is located, was erected as a sacred building for Shinto believers.
The oldest monument is Koshin.
Contrary to popular belief that the three monkeys originated in China, "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" sculptures and paintings are unlikely to be found in any other country than Japan. The oldest koshin monument that featured monkeys was built in 1559, but it only has one monkey, not three.
2016 is the Year of the Monkey. Among the 12 animals, the monkey is considered one of the smartest. IN folk culture In China, the monkey is loved and revered.
Since ancient times, China has had a very rich culture of officials. Monkey in Chinese - hou - is consonant with the name of the hereditary title of the nobility of the second of the five upper classes - marquis. Therefore, people dreamed of being promoted and given the title of hou, hoping for a prosperous career. Thus, since then, the monkey has become a symbol of a happy omen and wealth. Even more interesting is that the Chinese considered monkeys to be an intelligent animal that understands human feelings. According to ancient records, monkeys even served in the imperial court.
In east China's Shandong province, there is a stone sculpture depicting three monkeys in different poses: one of them covers her mouth with her hands, the other - her ears, and the third - her eyes. In fact, these animal figures warn of the need for officials to follow Confucian teachings, to strictly observe bureaucratic protocol. "You can not speak, listen and see something that does not correspond to etiquette." Only by adhering to these rules can one receive an appointment, live in wealth and honor.
During the reign of the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was quite common to find paintings that depicted monkeys on horseback, following the flight of bees, such works meant "the imminent assignment of the title hou". In modern times it became more pictures with monkeys.
Following the development of monkey culture, idiomatic expressions, sayings and proverbs associated with this animal appeared.
In addition, many paintings, paper clippings, sculptures and artworks in the form of monkeys appeared.
Monkey culture is also evident in the Chinese martial art. The monkey style got its name from the movements that are similar to the movements of this animal. According to the historical records that have survived to this day, the style of the monkey appeared during the reign of the Han Dynasty, now during the performances different types martial art all over the country, monkey style is an integral part. In the Shaolin fist fighting technique, in the southern styles of wushu of Guangdong province, monkey movements are also traced.
In the vast territory of Central China, where the Han people live, ancient tradition reverence and respect for the monkey. For example, at temple fairs in Huaiyang County, Zhoukou City, Henan Province, from the second day of the second month to the third day of the third month on lunar calendar mass-sold clay toys, which are called "ancestral monkeys". These figures are made in the form of a revered spirit with a crown on his head. The facial expression of the animal is majestic and serious. The symbol of female fertility is depicted in the lower part of the monkey's body; the animal was revered by people as the founder of the clan.
On stone balusters in many temples flaunt different images monkeys. "Stone monkey" in Chinese - shihou - is consonant with "time", it means adaptation to climate change, portends Good times and good luck. Since ancient times, people say: "When the stone monkey (good times) knocks on the door, then the year will be calm."
Usually during the celebration of the New Year, people put on the monkey amulet to children. According to legend, the monkey protects the child in childhood, and endows him with abilities and talent in adulthood. Village families in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces often tie a small stone figurine of a monkey to six or seven-month-old children so that the child learns to crawl.
People also say that children born in the year of the Monkey are lucky in everything. Although this claim has no scientific basis, many Chinese couples choose the Year of the Monkey for having children.
Sun Wukong: the classic image of a monkey
Creator classic look monkeys in Chinese literature became a writer who lived and worked during the Ming Dynasty, Wu Cheng'en. His novel Journey to the West features the Monkey King Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong, who was born from a magic stone, has amazing skills, the Taoist teacher who took him as a student taught him 72 transformations. After he made a brawl in the Heavenly Halls, he was imprisoned by the Buddha under the mountain of the Five Elements. Subsequently, Sun Wukong, along with the demi-human pig Zhu Bajie, the monk Sha Wujing, accompanied the Buddhist monk and scholar Xuanzang, went to the West (to India) for the sutras. On their way to the West, they fought evil spirits, overcame 81 obstacles and hardships, and finally returned to China with the sutras. As a reward for diligence, the Buddha of the Western Paradise appointed Sun Wukong the All-Conquering Buddha. Under the pen of Wu Cheng'en, the Monkey King Sun Wukong became the epitome of justice and synonymous with the very best. Today, the character of Sun Wukong is familiar to every Chinese, moreover, he is also known to the world.
Sun Wukong is not afraid of anyone or anything, so he dared to threaten the Sea Dragon King East Sea, make a commotion in hell, and then in the heavenly halls, in addition, he argued with the Buddha. All this indicates that Sun Wukong is a rebel, he does not intend to endure coercion, is not ready to adhere to established patterns. Fearless spirit, fidelity and optimism allowed him not to be afraid of difficulties, to boldly rebuff challenges. Sun Wukong has the qualities of a hero.
As is obvious, the monkey had a profound effect on China. The image of this animal expresses the wishes of the people for well-being, happiness, longevity and good luck.
The editors of the site "Renminwang" congratulates the New Year of the Monkey, wishes all readers well-being, happiness and good luck.
Favorite in the East
An Outcast in Medieval Europe
David Teniers the Younger. Monkey
Monkeys - exotic animals from distant lands -
were distributed in Western Europe already from the early Middle Ages.
Documents testify to this, and in the fine arts of monkeys
occur quite frequently. What so attracted people and artists in these
animals? What place do they occupy in a series of symbols and what do they talk about
art lovers?
David Teniers Junior Festival monkeys
Europe was invaded by primates - such a conclusion suggests itself when you consider
illustrations of ancient manuscripts and paintings by old masters. And partly this is true.
In the thirteenth century, monkeys even lived at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris! Trained
"courtly manners" and the art of tournament fighting of animals were often led by histrions
(stray buffoons) for the amusement of the common people.
In Medieval Europe, domesticated monkeys were kept at royal courts and in
rich houses as an attribute of prosperity. The animals lived in monasteries, and even churches.
On the road to hell
Frans Franken the Younger Man makes a choice between Virtue and Sin
With all the popularity of these funny animals, the church did not have reverence for them.
The roots of such a negative attitude go back to early Christianity, when in the Ancient
Egypt (the "country of darkness" from which, according to the Old Testament, Moses fled)
worshiped the god Thoth in the form of a baboon.
In 391, in Alexandria, after the pogrom of the pagans, the Christians left only one statue
sacred baboon, in order to be able to demonstrate to the whole world the idols of the "infidels".
With the establishment of Christianity, the monkey became a recognized enemy of the church, and in
sermons, the words "devil" and "monkey" were sometimes used as synonyms.
Medieval morality stigmatized innocent animals for centuries, defining
they have a clear role. For example, in one of the early European miniatures (XV century) in the plot
creation of animals by God, only the monkey was left to the right of the Creator as an antagonist
unicorn. So opposed the forces of good and evil!
In the painting by Lukas Moser "Mary with the Child", as in his own "Last Communication of Mary
Magdalene" (altar), the monkey is also specially introduced as the antipode of the image of Christ.
Albrecht Dürer Madonna with a Monkey 1497
This is the same meaning of the "Madonna with a monkey" by the great Albrecht Dürer: the baby sits in her arms
with a bird, the monkey is located on the other side, of course, at the feet of the Mother of God, again,
as a contrast. In the painting by Israel von Meckenem "The Appearance of Christ to the People"
the monkey is chained to the bars of the prison window and placed in the foreground on
one line with Christ, but opposite him.
Israel von Meckenem Ecce Homo XV
Serpent or monkey? Who is to blame for the fall?
Even Augustine the Blessed in the 4th century. from the Nativity of Christ preached that the devil -
this is the "God's monkey": insidious, cruel, merciless and lustful. Special popularity
acquired the last property of primates. Even Dream Interpretations, published in the 9th-13th centuries,
interpreted the appearance of a monkey in a dream as a sign of the upcoming "Pleasantness".
The allegory of the image of a monkey - the embodiment of the sin of lust, can be traced
in many stories.
Giovanni Stefano Di Adoration of the Magi 1432
So, in the painting by Stefano di Giovanni "Journey of the Magi" in front of a caravan with gifts
Gaspard, Melchior and Balthasar, a monkey sits on the back of one of the horses.
It is possible that the author wanted to emphasize the exotic nature of the offering to the infant Christ.
But, given the active use of the language of symbols in sacred painting, the most
it is likely that the defenseless monkey means the sensual, animal nature of man,
which now, with the birth of the Savior, is destined to bow before Him.
This thesis is easily recognized in the central panel of the triptych in the Gummarus Church in
Lire (Belgium) by Gossen van der Weyden (1516). In the scene of the marriage of the virgin
Mary in the lower left corner shows a monkey hugging a dog
In the XVI century. the monkey began to appear frequently in the scene of the fall of Adam and Eve, although
The Bible does not provide for her presence in this episode. However, if it is logical
judge: to whom, if not an unceremonious monkey with its lustfulness, predilection
to fruit, who else, if not her, to provoke the first people to taste the forbidden fruit!
The frank fecundity of the baboon, so prized by the ancients, has now become one of
"evidence" of sinfulness coming from the devil.
Cornelis van Haarlem The Fall 1592
It is not surprising that in the scene of the fall by Jan Gossaert (c. 1525) we find
a monkey sitting at the foot of the Tree of Knowledge behind Adam. True, she eats
pear, as if parodying the violation of the ban on eating from the Fruit of the Knowledge of good and evil.
With the onset of the Renaissance, in the 16th century, the official persecution of monkeys
clergy weakened. Whether sexuality has ceased to be a deadly sin,
whether the life-giving spirit of the Renaissance was able to deal a crushing blow to obscurantism,
but images of monkeys appeared even in cathedrals (albeit extremely rarely) in Cologne,
London, Mons. It is from these times that the monkey is increasingly not the devil, but his victim,
sinner, fallen Angel. And in the mysteries, the monkey was already a state
person before the soul enters.
Chained by one chain
The restless disposition of monkeys brought their owners a lot of trouble. French for a long time
remembered how, in the 1288th century, monkeys climbed into the courthouse of the Duchy of Burgundy
and destroyed the entire archive. In order to avoid such cases, the "robbers" became simply
keep in chains. Even the monkey of Queen Isabella of Bavaria was chained to
wooden bowl. But the artists saw didactic potential in this image.
And now a wooden deck means worldly pleasures, and deprived of freedom
innocent animal - "tamed sin."
Pieter Bruegel the Elder Two Monkeys
It is in this vein that one of the most popular stories is interpreted.
Pieter Brueghel the Elder - "Two Monkeys" (1562)
Most art historians tend to interpret the painting as an allegory.
a man enslaved by passions, no longer even striving for freedom, but
content with "a miserable feast of three nuts", embodying
creature comforts.
Based on the foregoing, it is not difficult to decipher the meaning contained in the “Portrait
Prince Edward" by Hans Holbein (1541-1542): a monkey in the arms of a young prince
Welsh indicates that he is in perfect control of his passions, although he
almost a child.
Yes, and Infanta Isabella, daughter of Philip II, in all likelihood, too
demonstrates the ability to restrain emotions and desires.
Alonso Sanchez Coelho Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia and Magdalena Ruiz 1586
The monkey, as a tamed sinfulness, can also be found in the painting by Hals Dirk
"Fete Champetre" ("Feast in Nature", 1628). Funny company resting sitting
at the table and playing music. However, the center of this whole picturesque group is…
a monkey chained to a chair is the undoubted personification of restrained sensuality.
Dirk Hals Fete Champetre 1627
True, depending on the context, this image is sometimes given directly
the opposite meaning is "voluntary commitment to sin."
No wonder that in the 15th century even the word "monkey" in Europe was used as
synonymous with "dissolute woman", and the animals themselves have become a traditional
belonging to Italian courtesans. Kings and dukes gave their
favorites of monkeys - a souvenir not without subtext!
The image of a monkey as the embodiment of the sin of lust, sensual licentiousness
gained popularity in the Dutch and Dutch painting XVI- XVII centuries.
Confirmation of this can be seen in the paintings of Peter Gerrits van Rooystraten.
("The Dissolute Chefs", "The Proposal"): An unceremonious monkey peeks under
young woman's skirt.
Peter Gerrits van Rooystraten Proposition VIII
Even a monkey dressed in purple will remain a monkey.
Man has always suffered from inflated self-esteem, and animals deified in the East
frightened Europeans with their obvious resemblance to them. Which is not surprising, since
We belong to the same order of mammals! But this little fidgety
the creature also behaves like a parody of a person: it makes faces and masterfully
mimics. In Europe (unlike in the East) no one ever came to
head comparison: you are smart as a monkey or you are handsome. Instead, she was made
the main character of caustic fables, an ugly caricature, the personification
human vices - such as stupidity, vanity, greed and laziness, plus
and coquetry, curiosity, frivolity and talkativeness, if we are talking about a woman.
What about an artist? Monkey's ability to mimic, since the era
Middle Ages, gave reason to make it a kind of symbol of painting and
sculptures. The fact is that the art of the artist has long been perceived as
mastery of copying the surrounding world.
Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin Monkey Painter XVIII
The Latin aphorism "Ars simia naturae" ("Art is the ape of nature") is especially
liked artists of the XVII century. Software in this sense can be called
painting by Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin. Main actor- crafty
a monkey trying to draw a broken figurine of Cupid.
Frans Franken the Younger Untitled
In anthropomorphic subjects, artists saw a safe opportunity to ridicule
person. Monkeys began to be depicted not only as drawing, like artists,
but also sitting at the dinner table, playing cards or musical
instruments, whirling, dancing, skating, etc.
The monkey became the alter ego of man, the embodiment of his worst sinful qualities and
at best, his innocent weaknesses. Flemish masters in the 17th century even
created special genre so-called "monkey feasts" (Simmenfeest). He has
origins stood, including Jan Brueghel the Elder (Velvet). Worked a lot with
Frans Francken (title illustration) and David Teniers the Younger. For example, in the painting "Monkeys in the Kitchen" as in a satirical cast of people's lives
a clear hierarchical ladder is visible. The ringleader sits on a stool,
towering over his compatriots. The conspirators lurked behind him.
All of them are somehow completely human!
Frans Franken the Younger Monkeys play Backgammon XVII
What can a monkey say about the taste of ginger?
The vanity of the monkey has also become notorious, especially in the context of the skeptical
relation to the human desire to know everything. In a painting by an unknown artist
Flemish school "Connoisseurs in a room with pictures" (1620) depicts a fictitious
private gallery. Wealthy buyers carefully examine the paintings. But where
And why did the monkey appear in the window? The monkey is a symbol of human stupidity
efforts, the futility of striving for earthly knowledge: instead of idly
looking at curiosities, people should spend their time in prayer and
preparation for eternal life— says the author.
Since the Renaissance, with the advent of the fashion for the allegory of the five senses in
humanistic circles, the monkey often acted as an attribute of ... taste!
Jan Brueghel the Elder Allegory of the Five Senses
TO late XVIII century, with the approval in painting of the majestic academic
style, the fashion for paintings with humanized monkeys has passed.
However, the symbolism of these images fits well into traditional ideas.
about man and his sins in subsequent centuries. Therefore, there is nothing surprising
in the fact that William Holbrook Bird chose these creatures for his paintings.
