Summary
Images of the Zodiac signs were frequently used in the medieval age as decoration pieces in portals of churches. One could notice that two of the signs, Leo, and Cancer, frequently occupied prominent positions in the composition of the decoration. The tendency is more noticeable in churches in modern-day France, where the Cancer and Leo figures are often placed right in the middle of the portal decoration. The author of the article explores the meaning behind the choice of placement for the elements and connects it to a number of references in theological texts. It appears that in medieval Christianity culture, the summer solstice and the time when it takes place were associated with renewal and Christ himself. As the summer solstice happens during the season of Cancer, the matter explains the choice of placing the symbol in the center of church portals. However, if Cancer’s significance is noted in several theological texts, the author questions why there is no particular explanation for the placement of the Leo symbol, which is frequently depicted right by the Cancer symbol. The article explores possible reasons for the Leo symbol’s placement and provides valuable explanations that illustrate the author’s opinion. According to Lemcool, during the time of summer solstice, souls travel from the Milky Way to the Earth and pass from the sign of Cancer into Leo. The article notes that even though summer solstice is associated with Cancer, it is closer to the moment the sun moves from Gemini to Cancer. Thus, it might be that the placement refers to Cancer and Leo being the only signs ruled by luminaries – the Sun and Moon – and not planets, like the other signs. The author states that although the topic needs further research, the article brings attention to the conspicuous placement of the symbols on the church portals and provides valuable insight into the question.
Feedback
The article presents an interesting mix of religion, art, astrology, and cosmology topics. To illustrate the tendency of placement of Leo and Cancer symbols, the author provides examples with photos of different fragments of portal decorations from various churches. Although one would assume that the Zodiac sign symbols would be placed according to the chronological order of the zodiac seasons, the actual placement has no particular order, with exclusions of Leo and Cancer signs. The article presents a unique outlook on how popular theological texts influenced the art and symbolism behind the art in medieval times. Moreover, the author provided valuable insight into covering several reasons for the symbols’ placement and connecting them to various theological texts. Even though the author acknowledges that the article and the topic need further research, the article raises enough attention to the topic of conspicuous placement of symbols in decorations of Church portals. I find the form of narration that the author used in the article, which considers several different opinions and outcomes continuously interrogatively, very approachable and easy to read. I have learned about a fusion of astrology and cosmology in the symbolism behind religious art that I had never known existed before. Moreover, I suspect that the majority of people overlook the details like these, even though insignificant details such as these possess great historical significance and tell a lot about society and its values in the past. The article seems to advise the reader to show attention to small details in the world and the art of learning something new.
Works Cited
Lemcool, Ivana. “Gates of Heaven: Significance of the Signs of Cancer and Leo on French Medieval Portals.”Culture and Cosmos, vol. 23, no. 1, 2019, pp. 71-96.