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SPECIAL EDITION: The symbolism encoded within the Sistine Chapel by Classical Aegis
What is the Golden Mean? It isn't a number. It is a relationship which balances the parts of the whole together with the whole, thus establishing a unity within a division.
World Scholar
October 22, 2024
Happy Tuesday folks,
Welcome to a SPECIAL edition of The House of Wisdom.
As always in these Tuesday editions, we will be hearing from some of the best writers on all things Culture, History and Tradition.
Sit Back. Relax. And grab your cup of tea. Let’s dive in:
 | Today’s edition is written by none other than Classical Aegis, who uses the classical arts to help unfold the unlimited potential of the human mind. His threads on 𝕏 are a must read, you will learn something guaranteed: |
What is the Golden Mean? It isn't a number. It is a relationship which balances the parts of the whole together with the whole, thus establishing a unity within a division.
The golden mean was a principle of balance and harmony. The Greek philosopher Aristotle also referred to the "golden mean" in ethics, describing it as the desirable middle ground between two extremes.
Only 2 examples are shown below (vertical and horizontal), however, the golden ratio is imbued throughout the painting. Michelangelo is speaking to us, telling us that seemingly separate, God and man are One, and part of a harmonic unity.
Leonardo da Vinci also used the ratio in his works (most famously in the Mona Lisa), believing it created more harmonious compositions.
...and with all of Creation...
The Golden Mean at a larger scale in the Sistine Chapel.
Michelangelo had a deep understanding of anatomy. He clothed God & his angels in the brain. The brain is his symbol for the Mind. He brilliantly cloaks the brain's anatomical structures with the 12 angels, symbolizing the 12 cranial nerves.
Michelangelo was not only a devout Christian but also someone who had a deep interest in anatomy. He performed dissections, which gave him an intimate knowledge of the human body, particularly the brain.
Interestingly, God's head is located about where the bregma would be. The bregma is in a golden ratio between the nasion and inion. It is located where a trinity of bones interconnect after birth: the frontal bone and the two parietal bones.
The balancing geometric center of a human is located at the genitalia. Michelangelo placed God's genitals in the location of the thalamus. In Ancient Greek, thalamus means 'Inner Chamber.' This symbolizes the act of creation taking place within the Mind.
By embedding the brain in the representation of God, Michelangelo implied that God imparts not only physical life to Adam but also human consciousness and the power of thought.
men- , is a proto-indo-euro root meaning 'to think.' We are MENtal beings. The dimensionless point within our brain's inner chamber (thalamus) is the seat, or throne, of Mind.
It can be interpreted as Michelangelo’s way of saying that the mind is where humans connect with the divine, reflecting the idea that God resides within our consciousness.
It is the Holy of Holies, where we consciously become 1 with Him.
God is Mind. Man is Mind. ONE
“The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”
I really do hope you enjoyed this Special Edition of the House of Wisdom and I want to thank Classical Aegis for coming onto the stage.
Don’t forget to follow him on 𝕏 here if you haven’t done so already!
Until Next Time,
World Scholar
P.S. Thank You for getting this far! What topics do you want us to cover next? Let me know by replying to this email or DM me directly on 𝕏.
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