More Wise Compasses
Some more examples of the universality of the “wise compass” - the indigenous model of the world that incorporates the orientation of the compass and all the implications thereof.
A Mayan one…
Tibetan Buddhist…
A Basque one (a tribal culture, the oldest in Europe), known as the Lauburu (’four summits’)…
Native stone medicine wheels, aged up to 4,500 years old, found in Alberta, Canada…
The ‘classic’ North American medicine wheel that many will recognize, perhaps based on the Lakota version…
I’ll include the Celtic Cross in this list, though no evidence exists (that I know of) that points to its use as a compass, or its existence before the arrival of Christianity among the Celts. Whatever its meaning before the christian era, it has certainly taken on new meaning in the cultural and spiritual rennaissance of faiths such as neopaganism, druidry, and so on.
June 4th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Wowsers. The Mayan ‘wise compass’ has claws, claws which may have originally been 3d, making it somewhat of a ‘wild wise compass’.
As everyone knows, wild is a word reserved for use when something is totally cool and to be employed judiciously and without a hint of flummery.
As fro the Celtic Cross - when sporting the homologous offshots it makes a fantastic belt buckle. I’ve met people who say they’re modern druids, but I don’t believe them. These days I think it’s just another gimmick. Lookitme, I wear a spooky hood and walk around in teh mists while carrying antlers and speaking in tongues! WOOO.
Okay. Shutting up and going away now. Thrilling, no?
June 4th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
“I’ll include the Celtic Cross in this list, though no evidence exists (that I know of) that points to its use as a compass, or its existence before the arrival of Christianity among the Celts.”
Take a look at Crichton Miller’s findings! He found out that the Celtic Cross was indeed THE navigational instrument, not only with the Celts, and even before Christ. It had a plumb line fixed to the center and was used to measure inclinations on the ring, of stars as well as buildings. By measuring star inclinations, accurate navigation and timekeeping was possible even without any landmarks.
He also mentions an ancient Egyptian instrument called the Pesh en Kef that works in a similar way.
Please make the effort to read your way through his somewhat unorganized website http://www.crichtonmiller.com/The%20Navigators%20cross.htm, - it’s worth the effort!
June 4th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Richard said:The Mayan ‘wise compass’ has claws
Yeah. Them Mayans have always have to go over the top on their shenanigans.
Bumblebee said:He found out that the Celtic Cross was indeed THE navigational instrument, not only with the Celts, and even before Christ. It had a plumb line fixed to the center and was used to measure inclinations on the ring, of stars as well as buildings
What a treat to hear that Bumblebee!! I had my suspicions…thanks so much for the links.