Chapter 3: Around 10,000 BCE to Around 2,000 BCE -The origin of faith-

 ■Around 10,000 BCE


Göbekli Tepe in Turkey

    The archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey is believed to have been constructed between 10,000 BCE and 8,000 BCE.


    At the Göbekli Tepe site, numerous large T-shaped stone pillars are arranged in circles. The total number of pillars exceeds 200, and at least 20 circles have been identified. Some of the pillars are over 6 meters tall and weigh around 20 tons. They are fitted into sockets carved into the bedrock.


    The sculptures found at this site bear a resemblance to the Moai statues of Easter Island, both in terms of their hand positioning and their placement. Easter Island also features polygonal masonry with incised joints, and the chests of the Moai statues exhibit a spiral pattern based on the golden ratio.

    On the left is the Moai of Easter Island, and in the center and right are the statues of Göbekli Tepe.


    The curved lines of the ears on these statues follow the golden ratio.


    Another statue at Göbekli Tepe is depicted in a pose of touching its chest. This is a common motif found in goddess statues from various regions around the world.
胸を触る女神像ギョベクリ・テペ


    On the middle section of these statues, carvings of two snakes can be seen on the left and right sides. Additionally, the image on the bottom right depicts a statue unearthed from Nevalı Çori, a site adjacent to Göbekli Tepe and from the same time period. One snake is visible at the back of the head, similar to how the Aeon is also depicted with a snake emerging from the back of the head.

ギョベクリ・テペの像ネヴァリ・コリの像

 

アイオーン頭頂の蛇

 

 

    The Göbekli Tepe goddess statues exhibit similarities to goddess statues found in different locations, including the pose of touching the chest and the robust lower body.

トルコのギョベクリ・テペの女神像(紀元前9500年頃)

 

 


Göbekli Tepe's Stone Pillars


    The stone pillars at Göbekli Tepe feature carved reliefs of handbags, which are also found in the Iranian Jiroft culture from around 3000 BCE.

jiroft中東地図


    Handbags made of stone have been unearthed from the Jiroft culture, displaying the presence of two snakes.

Jiroft_bag12匹の蛇。ジーロフト文化のハンドバック


    On the handbag of Göbekli Tepe's stone pillars, a carving of an eagle can be seen in the lower left, with a scorpion beneath it.

ギョベクリ・テペギョベクリ・テペ2


    Handbag depicting a scorpion and an eagle from the Jiroft culture.

ジーロフト文化のハンドバックとサソリジーロフト文化のハンドバックの鷲


    On another stone pillar, carvings of one snake and two snakes can also be observed. This suggests that all the depicted images on these pillars serve as symbols, indicating the presence of religious beliefs and practices.
GÖBEKLİTEPE

 

    The long-legged bird at the very bottom of this pillar resembles an African sacred ibis. A similar bird is also seen perched atop the handbag on the far left of the upper section, albeit in a smaller size.

アフリカクロトキギョベクリ・テペの鳥(左のハンドバックの上)ギョベクリ・テペの鳥(最下部)


    On the far right of the upper section, the handbag exhibits an H-shaped symbol.

ギョベクリ・テペギョベクリ・テペのシンボル


    This H-shaped pattern is observed on other pillars as well, sometimes accompanied by carvings of snakes.

TT2T3


    Symbols of zigzag patterns are also present above and below the handbag on the stone pillars, which are observed in various locations.

ジグザグ


    Another stone pillar features a symbol of a tusked wild boar, with corresponding stone statues also discovered.

ギョベクリ・テペのイノシシイノシシのイラスト

kiba1kiba2


    At the upper right of the handbag on the far right of the stone pillar, a long-tailed lizard is engraved. Lizards are also visible on the hand of Sabazios.

handbag3animal1

サバジオスの手トカゲとカエル


    Animal carvings resembling dogs can be seen on the sides of the stone pillars.

animal2animal1animal4


    Carvings that depict a side view of dogs are also observed in several instances.

狼0狼1ギョベクリ・テペのイヌ


Jomon Pottery


    The Jomon period in Japan lasted from around 14,000 BCE to around 800 BCE. The following image depicts early Jomon pottery from around 10,000 BCE to 5,000 BCE. The lower half of the pottery on the left and the upper and lower parts of the pottery on the right feature zigzag patterns.

 


■Around 6000 BCE

Ancient China


    The Xinglongwa culture existed in the vicinity of Liaoning Province, China, from around 6200 BCE to around 5400 BCE. A statue of a goddess with hands on her chest, dating back to around 6000 BCE, has also been unearthed from the Xinglongwa culture.

興隆窪文化の女神像興隆窪文化の位置


■5700 BCE


The Vinča civilization


    The Vinča civilization occurred from around 5700 BCE to around 4200 BCE.

    The red circle on the left represents the Vinča civilization, and the red circle on the right represents the Mesopotamian civilization.


    The script of the Vinča civilization.


    The clay figurines of the Vinča civilization and Japan's Jōmon clay figurines share similar poses and designs. They have common features such as exposed chests, outstretched hands, and a cross-like shape.

ヴィンチャ文明

    Jōmon clay figurine from Japan.

縄文土偶


    Left - Vinča civilization, Right - Jōmon clay figurine.

ヴィンチャ文明青森県の合掌土偶(紀元前1500年頃)

    Left - Vinča civilization, Right - Jōmon clay figurine.

ヴィンチャ文明山梨県の縄文土偶(紀元前2500年)


    The following four images are all from the Vinča civilization. The leftmost image depicts a nursing figure, similar to the statues of Isis and Horus from Egypt or Krishna and Yashoda from India, with the same pose. Additionally, there are statues with thick lower bodies, which are shared characteristics among various goddess figures found in different regions.

ヴィンチャ文明

 


■Around 5400 BCE


Eridu in Mesopotamia


    During this time, cities existed in the Middle East, including Çatalhöyük in Turkey, Tel es-Sultan in Jericho, Palestine, and Eridu in Mesopotamia.

    Left: Reconstruction model of the interior of Çatalhöyük's dwelling. The map on the right shows the positions of Çatalhöyük in the upper left, Jericho in the lower left, and Eridu in the lower right.

    Left: Tel es-Sultan archaeological site in Jericho, Palestine. Right: Reconstruction model of Çatalhöyük.

 

    The archaeological site of Tell Abū Shahrein in Eridu exhibits slight distortions in its overall structure, but it reveals the presence of the golden ratio. The sizes of the small chambers also follow the golden ratio, creating smaller golden ratios within the larger overall structure.

 


Ancient Chinese Artifacts

    From the Xiaoshan site of the Zhao Bao Gou culture, dating back to around 5400 BCE to 4500 BCE, pottery figurines of dragons with deer, boar, and bird heads have been discovered.
趙宝溝文化の龍


 

■Around 4700 BCE


Hongshan and Yangshao Cultures in China


    From around 4700 BCE to 2900 BCE, the Hongshan culture and other regions yielded figurines with touched chests and statues with thicker lower bodies.

    The arrows on the left map indicate the excavation locations of the statues. The center image depicts a statue from around 4000 BCE, while the right image shows a statue from around 3500 BCE.


    At the Xishui Po site of the Yangshao culture around 4400 BCE, a depiction of a dragon and tiger, drawn with embedded seashells, was discovered. In the image below, a dragon is on the left side of the skeleton, while a tiger is on the right side. As dragons appear in the creation myths of China's Bai ethnic group, dragons were concluded to be symbols as well.

西水坡遺跡の龍虎西水坡遺跡の龍虎


    Given the geographical proximity of Göbekli Tepe, Jiroft culture, and the Vinča civilization, it can be speculated that symbols were inherited and transmitted. Similar symbols and beliefs, such as goddess figurines and zigzag patterns, are also observed in China and Japan, suggesting that there were already shared symbols and beliefs worldwide during this period, which eventually led to the emergence of the world's oldest civilizations, such as the Mesopotamian civilization.


■Around 4000 BCE


Earliest Currency in Mesopotamian Civilization


    The concept of money emerged in the Mesopotamian civilization, marking the first occurrence of currency in human history. However, this "money" was in the form of laborers receiving their wages in the form of wheat placed in their bowls. In the city of Tell Brak, where wheat money became prevalent, disputes arose as a result.

テル・ブラクはナガル(Nagar)と書かれた場所テル・ブラクテル・ブラク


■3600 BCE


Malta Island in the Mediterranean


    The islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean. These temple complexes, constructed from around 3600 BCE to 2500 BCE, exhibit polygonal masonry, goddess figurines, and swirling patterns that follow the golden ratio. Additionally, a legend persists of giants who built these temples and used them as places of worship.

    In the right diagram, the upper portion represents Gozo Island, and the lower portion represents Malta Island.


    Polygonal masonry at the Ġgantija Temple.


    Polygonal masonry at the Ħaġar Qim Temple.

女神像(ハジャール・イム神殿)女神像(マルタ島)


    Golden ratio spiral patterns on megaliths unearthed from Gozo Island.

 


 

■Around 3500 BCE


Development of Sumer


    The major Sumerian city of Ur begins its expansion as an urban center. Advanced civilization flourishes, including the development of writing, laws, agriculture, irrigation systems, navigation, astronomy, establishment of schools, bicameral parliamentary system, compilation of legal codes, adoption of the 60-base system with 1 minute consisting of 60 seconds, and the 12 zodiac signs of astrology. The population reaches around 34,000 people.


    Cuneiform script of Sumer.


 

■Around 3150 BCE


Pharaohs of Egypt


    The "Narmer Palette," discovered at the Horus temple in the city of Nekhen, signifies the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by Pharaoh Narmer, the ruler of Egypt's First Dynasty. The composition on the right side of the image, where the necks of two lions are intertwined, bears resemblance to the entwined staff of Caduceus, similar to two intertwining snakes.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

ネケンの位置


    An artifact depicting a scorpion has been found alongside the face of Scorpion II (around 3150 BCE to 3125 BCE), who is believed to be the same individual as Narmer. The scorpion symbol is also observed on the pillars of Göbekli Tepe.

スコルピオン2世 (ファラオ)スコルピオン2世 (ファラオ)

 

    The god Ptah, worshipped in the capital city of Memphis during the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, is depicted holding the Ankh symbol and the Djed pillar in his hands. The Ankh and Djed pillars are often seen together with the snake emblem, the Uraeus, suggesting that Ptah is also a god symbolizing emptiness.

プタハプタハ
ウラエウス、アンク、ジェド柱アンクジェド柱


    The sacred bull Apis, revered in the city of Memphis, is considered an incarnation of Ptah. It is also referred to as the bull of Osiris.

アピス(ルーヴル美術館)アピス


■Around 3000 BCE


Middle Jomon Period


    During the middle Jomon period, which began around 3000 BCE, Jomon clay figurines and flame-style pottery became prominent. These artifacts also feature golden ratio spiral patterns, indicating a reverence for emptiness.

    On the left is a cylindrical clay figurine from Nagano Prefecture, and on the right is its unfolded diagram.


    Golden ratio and spiral patterns are observed in Jomon period sunshades clay figurines(Shakōkidogū), and they also exhibit thicker lower bodies.


    Spiral patterns, exposed chests, and statues with thicker lower bodies, among others, are characteristic of goddess figurines.


    A Jomon clay figurine from around 3000 BCE, known as the "Child Embracing Clay Figurine." Excavated from the Miyata site in Hachioji, Tokyo. The nursing pose can be seen under the hand of Sabazios, a shared symbol.

紀元前3000年頃の子抱き土偶サバジオスの手サバジオスの手10b

 


Stonehenge in England

    Stonehenge also features sections where the upper stones are adjusted to fit the supporting pillars, resembling polygonal masonry with incised joints.



    Polygonal masonry of Stonehenge.


    The Druids, who performed rituals at Stonehenge, were the priests of Celtic society.

ドルイドケルト人の分布 (青は紀元前1500年から紀元前1000年、ピンクは紀元前400年


    The symbols depicted by the Druids include pyramids and the scales of balance.

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    The scales of balance are also seen as a symbol in the hand of Sabazios.

サバジオスの手06サバジオスの手06aサバジオスの手の天秤


Jiroft Culture in Iran

    The Jiroft culture in Iran thrived from around 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE. Stone handbags unearthed from this culture feature two snakes, leading to the conclusion of a shared symbol.

jiroft中東地図

 

Jiroft_bag12匹の蛇。ジーロフト文化のハンドバック


Mithraism in Iran, India, and the Roman Empire

    In the reliefs of Mithraism, a religion centered around the god Mithras, Mithras is depicted facing a single snake while holding the caduceus, a staff with two entwined snakes. This further represents Mithras as a symbol.

カドゥケウスの杖を持つミトラス神Fiano_Romano_mithraic_relief2

カドゥケウスカドゥケウス


    In another depiction, Mithras is shown slaughtering a bull. Dogs and snakes attempt to drink the bull's blood, while a scorpion attacks the bull's testicles. Dogs, snakes, and scorpions are shared symbols and are also observed on the pillars of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey.

ミトラ教のミトラス神、ウシ、イヌ
ミトラ教のウシ、イヌBritMusMithrasScorpion

ギョベクリ・テペの石柱。サソリ犬(ギョベクリ・テペ)

1匹の蛇


    The god statues in Mithraism also include figures with lion heads and wings, known as Aeon, with two snake drawings beneath their feet. A scorpion is carved on the right thigh of these statues, indicating the representation of emptiness in Mithraism.

Musei_Vaticani_Leontocephalinescorpion


Anzu, Griffin, Hippogriff, and Qilin


    The mythical creature Anzu or Zu in Mesopotamian mythology is depicted as a lion-headed eagle. Lions and eagles are symbols. This creature is associated with Enlil, a deity in Sumerian mythology.

単頭のライオン頭の鷲「ズー(アンズー)」。紀元前2550年~2500年。ルーブル美術館蔵アンズー2

アンズー3


    The legendary creature Griffin resembles Anzu, with the upper body and wings of an eagle and the lower body of a lion, sharing common symbols.

グリフォンアケメネス朝のペルセポリスのグリフォン(紀元前500年〜前330年)

ローマ帝国のグリフォン(50年〜270年)イタリアのペルージャのグリフォン(1200年代)

クリミア共和国の国章ドイツのグライフスヴァルトの市章



    The Hippogriff, said to be born from a Griffin and a mare, features the front half of an eagle and the hind half of a horse.
ヒッポグリフハリポッターに登場するヒッポグリフ


    A similar animal to the Hippogriff with horse-like legs is the Qilin in Chinese mythology. It stands at 5 meters tall, with a face resembling a dragon and features a cow's tail and horse's hooves.

麒麟2麒麟1


    Chinese dragons were concluded to symbolize emptiness. The Qilin is also identified with the Huanglong, the Yellow Dragon of China. In the Forbidden City in China, two lion statues are placed, along with two Qilin statues. Therefore, both lion statues and Qilin statues represent emptiness.

黄竜慈寧門前の麒麟紫禁城の獅子像


    Thus, Anzu, Griffin, Hippogriff, and Qilin not only share physical resemblances but are also concluded to be symbols of emptiness.


Lightning, Trident, Vajra


    The left figure in the Mesopotamian relief is a composite creature known as an Anzu, with the head of a lion and the body of an eagle. The person engaging in combat with this Anzu also becomes a symbolic figure. The reason being, the person carries a thunderbolt trident called a Vajra in both hands, which is also suspended from Aeon's chest.
anzu&ningishzida


    The Vajra on Aeon's chest.

アイオーンの金剛杵(稲妻)アイオーン


    In the hands of Adad (also known as Hadad), the weather god of Akkadian in Mesopotamia, we can also see a Vajra. Adad possesses the characteristics of a fertility god who brings fertility through rain and wind, as well as a destructive force that brings darkness and death through storms, lightning, and floods. He is depicted with bull horns on his head.

アッシリアの兵士がアダドを運ぶ紀元前2300年頃のアッカド帝国(緑部分)


    There is also a relief of Adad riding on his symbolic bull, holding a Vajra in his hand.

雄牛に乗るアダドと手の稲妻アダド


    On the left is Adad with a winged disk. On the right, Adad is depicted holding an axe.

アダドと有翼円盤アダドと斧など


    In another relief of Adad riding on a different bull, he holds a Vajra with a long trident at the bottom while having a lightning bolt at its tip. The trident is also held by gods such as Poseidon, who presides over the sea and earthquakes in Greek mythology, and Neptune in Roman mythology.

アダドと三叉槍ポセイドンネプチューンが描かれたギリシャの壺


    Shiva, the main deity in Hindu mythology, also wields a Trident, meaning that these symbols are shared.

シヴァシヴァシヴァ


    Furthermore, the Trident also represents the highest deity of Taoism, the Sanqing.

元始天尊霊宝天尊老子


    Zeus, the supreme and all-powerful god in Greek mythology, also holds a Vajra in his hand. As the sky god, Zeus governed the entire universe and controlled weather phenomena such as clouds, rain, snow, and lightning. In Roman mythology, Zeus is referred to as Jupiter.

ゼウスジュピター


    Another statue of Zeus depicts two eagles, and there is also an eagle next to the Jupiter in the image above.

ゼウスと2羽の鷲ジュピターの隣の鷲


    The tool of lightning is called a Vajra or Vajra in Indian mythology, and it is the weapon of Indra, the god of thunder and rain (known as Sakra in Japan). In the Indian scripture Bhagavad Gita, it is stated, "I am the Vajra among weapons," referring to the divine entity (Purusha or Brahman). Both Purusha and Brahman are symbols of emptiness.

インドラと右手のヴァジュラヴァジュラ


    The Buddhist guardian deity Vajrapani also holds a Vajra. It is depicted as a pair of statues: one with an open mouth (Agyo) and the other with a closed mouth (Ungyo), often standing at the main gates of temples. Agyo, similar to the guardian lion-dogs at Shinto shrines, represents emptiness and is also a lion-like figure. In other words, Vajrapani symbolizes emptiness. They are commonly known as Nio or Ni-oh in Japan. In esoteric Buddhism, the two characters A and Un (Ah and Hum) represent the beginning and the end, symbolizing the ultimate. "A" is the first character of the Sanskrit alphabet, and "Un" is the last character. This is expressed in kanji as "A-Un," representing emptiness.

金剛力士像、東大寺南大門


    The guardian deity Shukongoshin carries a Vajra and is referred to as Vajrapani in India. It is the same as Vajrapani but depicted as a single warrior figure. It is said to have originated from the Greek hero Heracles (Hercules). Heracles is described as a "bearded man wearing a lion's skin and carrying a club."
東大寺の執金剛神(1939年)左は仏陀、右はヘラクレス

    In the statue of Heracles at the Capitoline Museums in Rome, he is depicted holding two snakes in his hands.

ヘラクレスと2匹の蛇左手の蛇


    Thus, the two snakes also represent emptiness in Heracles, and the club he wields becomes a variation of the design of the Vajra. The club is also a symbol found in the scripture Bhagavad Gita in India.


    Arjuna expressed his desire to see the form of the divine entity Bhagavad (the self, Purusha, Brahman, which equals emptiness). When the divine entity Bhagavad revealed its form, Arjuna said, "O God, within your divine body, I see all the gods. (omitted) I see you wearing a crown, holding a club, and possessing a disc that radiates light in all directions."


    The Buddhist deity Kongoyasha Myo-o (Vajrayaksha) also wields a Vajra and holds a single snake.

金剛夜叉明王金剛夜叉明王


    In Buddhism, the central deity among the Five Great Wisdom Kings, known as the Godai Myō-ō, is Fudō Myō-ō, who also wields a cord-like Vajra. Additionally, the handle of the sword is shaped like a Vajra. Fudō Myō-ō is considered an incarnation of Mahavairocana, the Great Sun Tathāgata.

不動明王(国宝・醍醐寺蔵)不動明王(国宝・醍醐寺蔵)

不動明王立像不動明王立像


    The other Five Great Wisdom Kings, Gōzanze Myō-ō, Gundari Myō-ō, and Daiitoku Myō-ō, also wield Vajras, and sometimes have snakes coiled around their bodies. This indicates that the Five Great Wisdom Kings are also depicted as symbols of emptiness.

軍荼利明王降三世明王大威徳明王像


    In Buddhism, Daiitoku Myō-ō of the Five Great Wisdom King is associated with Amitābha Buddha and Bodhisattva Monju. The famous statue of Amitābha Buddha is found in Kamakura and is commonly known as the Great Buddha. The statue in Nara is called the Vairocana Buddha, which is equivalent to Mahavairocana in esoteric Buddhism. The incarnation of Mahavairocana is represented by Fudō Myō-ō, who becomes the central deity among the Five Great Wisdom Kings. Therefore, both the Great Buddha in Kamakura and Nara represent emptiness. The Great Buddha in Nara is considered the cosmic Buddha who transcends Gautama Siddhartha, illuminating the truth of the universe to all beings and leading them to enlightenment.

鎌倉の大仏奈良の大仏


    In this way, Mesopotamian Akkadian mythology, Greek mythology, Roman mythology, Indian mythology, Hinduism, Buddhism, and esoteric Buddhism are connected through symbols, and both their deities and symbols represent emptiness.




Gods holding pine cones


    In ancient Rome, at the feet of the god Aeon, two snakes and a pine cone are observed, leading to the conclusion that they symbolize emptiness. This god holding a pine cone is also seen in various places and religions.

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pinecone


    In Mesopotamia, a figure with a handbag is depicted holding a pine cone in the opposite hand.

handbag2handbag1

pinecone1


    In Greek mythology, there is a staff called Thyrsos, which has a pine cone at its tip. This staff was associated with Dionysus and his followers in ancient Greek religion. In Roman mythology, it is called Bacchus, the god of wine.

テュルソスローマのディオニューソス像バッコスの勝利(1882年)

カラヴァッジョによるバックス(ウフィツィ美術館)


    There is a relief depicting the staff Thyrsos along with symbols such as the Tanit, crescent moon, and sun, bringing together various symbols.

上がブドウ、下がテュルソスタニトの浮彫り


    The staff Thyrsos is sometimes associated with a vessel called a kantharos, which is a ceramic container used for drinking wine. In Japan, it can be likened to a pitcher used for holding beverages. Dionysus is also depicted with this kantharos.

ディオニュソスとカンタロディオニュソスとカンタロ

壺(カンタロ)壺(カンタロ)1670-1675年頃のカナンでの結婚式と壺(カンタロ)


    In the Acropolis of Athens, Greece, there is a theater dedicated to Dionysus. It has a seating capacity of over 15,000 people and is believed to have been constructed around the 6th century BCE. The remains of the theater, which were renovated during the 4th century BCE (Roman era), still exist today, and one can see sculptures depicting the life of Dionysus. This theater was used to stage tragic plays (Greek tragedies) dedicated to Dionysus during the annual Great Dionysia festival held in spring.

アテネにあるディオニュソス劇場ローマ時代のデュオニュソス劇場の想像図


    In Greek mythology and Roman mythology, the female worshippers of Dionysus, known as Bacchae, also carry the staff Thyrsos with a pine cone attached.

マイナスとテュルソスマイナスとテュルソス


    In Rome, Italy, at Piazza Navona, there are sculptures depicting lions with pine cones.

ライオンと松ぼっくり(ナヴォーナ広場)ナヴォーナ広場とムーア人の噴水


    Sabazios is a god associated with Phrygia and Thrace in Greece. He is identified with Greek Dionysus and his predecessor Zagreus, as well as with Zeus and Attis. Sabazios statues often depict pine cones, eagles, and the staff of Asclepius.

サバジオスフリギアの位置
松ぼっくり鷲(わし)アスクレピオスの杖アスクレピオスの杖



Hand of Sabazios


    The statues of the "Hand of Sabazios" come in various forms and are adorned with numerous symbols.サバジオスの手00


    Prominent among them are a snake, a pine cone, and an eagle.

サバジオスの手サバジオスの手


    The Caduceus, a staff with two intertwined snakes.

サバジオスの手サバジオスの手03aサバジオスの手03b_カドゥケウス


    The pitcher (kantharos) held by Dionysus.

サバジオスの手サバジオスの手04a_壺サバジオスの手04b


    The back of the hand with a balance scale.

サバジオスの手サバジオスの手の天秤

サバジオスの手06サバジオスの手06a


    Frog, turtle, lizard.

サバジオスの手トカゲとカエル
サバジオスの手亀


    In another Hand of Sabazios, a figure can be seen, adorned with a crescent moon on the head. The crescent moon is also found in Mesopotamian cylinder seals.

サバジオスの手サバジオスの手と頭に三日月の人物

メソポタミアの円筒印章


    The symbol of a sheep.

サバジオスの手羊(サバジオスの手)


    A woman lying down or breastfeeding a child.

サバジオスの手10aサバジオスの手10b
サバジオスの手10dサバジオスの手10c


    In the following relief of Sabazios, symbols common to the Hand of Sabazios are observed, along with two pillars and a triangular roof, which are also symbolic.

The Relief of Sabazios1サバジオスの浮き彫りThe Relief of Sabazios3


Symbols and Gods of Egypt


    The image of two intertwined snakes can also be found in the Egyptian Winged Sun Disk (Uræus). For example, the central two snakes in the Winged Sun Disk of the Kom Ombo Temple.

コム・オンボ神殿コム・オンボ神殿


    The Winged Sun Disk and two snakes at Medinet Habu.

メディネット・ハブメディネット・ハブ


    The combination of a single snake (Uræus) and wings in Egyptian artifacts.

蛇と有翼


    At the Dendera Temple in Egypt, there are two adjacent Winged Sun Disks, with two snakes depicted in the upper section and a scarab beetle in the lower section.

デンデラ神殿スカラベ


    In ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle was associated with the sun god Khepri. Khepri is one of the forms of the sun god Ra in Egyptian mythology. Therefore, the Winged Sun Disk, scarab beetle, sun god Khepri, and sun god Ra all represent emptiness.

ケプリ(ネフェルタリの墓)王家の谷の壁画に描かれたスカラベ


    In ancient Egypt, the sun and moon were considered to be represented by the falcon or the eyes of the sky god Horus (the Eyes of Horus). Eventually, the two eyes were distinguished, with the left eye representing the moon as the symbol of the goddess Wadjet, and the right eye representing the sun as the symbol of the god Ra. Wadjet is depicted as a cobra or a lioness-headed woman with a cobra on her head.

ウアジェトウアジェトウアジェト


    The emblem of the cobra on Wadjet's forehead is called the Uræus. The Uræus is also seen in the Winged Sun Disk. The Uræus is adorned on the forehead of King Tutankhamun as well.

ウラエウスと太陽ウラエウスと太陽ツタンカーメンのマスクとウラエウス


    The goddess Merseger, depicted with the head of Wadjet or a woman's head with a cobra, is also depicted with two snakes. This also represents emptiness.

メルセゲルメルセゲルメルセゲル(紀元前1295年頃)


    Anubis, Horus, Khepri, Wadjet, and Merseger, all mentioned so far, commonly carry the Ankh, a symbol of a cross. In other words, the Ankh, these deities, and Egyptian mythology as a whole tell a story of emptiness.


    From left to right: Anubis, Horus, Khepri, Wadjet, Merseger.

アヌビスホルスケプリメルセゲルウラエウスアンクウラエウス、アンク、ジェド柱


Zoroastrianism


    In the Zoroastrianism of ancient Iran, which existed around 3000 BCE, the Winged Sun Disk and the guardian spirit Fravashi can be seen. The Fravashi represents emptiness and is a spiritual being that resides in all aspects of the natural world, causing various natural phenomena.

イランとペルセポリスの位置ペルセポリス

有翼円盤(ペルセポリス)フラワシ


    The ring held by the Fravashi is the same as the ring depicted next to the Egyptian Uræus or the ring held by the statue of the goddess Ishtar in Babylon. This is a shared symbol, the "staff and ring," which was an attribute of the gods.

女神像とフクロウ(バビロニア)ウラエウス


    The supreme god of Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda, also carries a crown with a ring and two cords attached, as well as a scepter.

アフラ・マズダー(右)王権と笏


    The following image is from the archaeological site of Taq-e Bostan in western Iran. Ahura Mazda is depicted in the center, wearing a crown (with a ring and two cords) and presenting a crescent moon.

アフラ・マズダ(中央)アフラ・マズダと三日月と王冠


    The symbol of the crescent moon is also seen in the Hand of Sabazios and Egyptian ornaments.

サバジオスの手と頭に三日月の人物エジプトの装飾品のホルスの目


    The Winged Sun Disk and Fravashi are observed in various locations. Some of them are depicted holding bows and arrows or wearing crowns with bull horns, indicating another common symbol. The figure on the left in the following image is the Assyrian god Ashur, who guards the city of Ashur in Mesopotamia.

有翼円盤フラワシ2


    Next is a relief from the tomb of Artaxerxes III at Persepolis. Here, we see the Fravashi riding the Winged Sun Disk, a figure holding a bow and arrows, a crescent moon, and symbols like tiered platforms.

ペルセポリス弓矢を持つ人物三日月

ペルセポリス2


    Furthermore, beneath the sculptures of the Winged Sun Disk and Fravashi in another location, there are diamond-shaped lattice decorations. This diamond pattern can also be seen on the stone pillars of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, where symbols are depicted.

ペルセポリスペルセポリス

ギョベクリ・テペギョベクリ・テペ

 


 

Mehrgarh Statues


    The statue of the goddess from Mehrgarh, dating back to around 3000 BCE in Pakistan, shows prominent breasts, a pose with hands on the chest, and a wide waist.

メヘンガル女神像1女神像2


    Artifacts from Mehrgarh.
宇宙船1

宇宙船

 

 

 


■Around 2700 BCE


The major city of Mohenjo-daro in Pakistan.



    The crown of the priest-king unearthed in Mohenjo-daro also has two tassels. The same crown is seen in Jomon figurines, the Japanese imperial regalia, and the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda.

    On the upper right is the crown of a Jomon clay figurine from Yamanashi Prefecture. On the lower row, from left to right, we have the statue and crown of a priest-king from Mohenjo-daro, the crown from Ahura Mazda, and the crown of the Japanese emperor.


    Starting from the left, we have Ahura Mazda, and in the center and on the right, we have crowns from Japan's Heian period.


    From Mohenjo-daro, statues of goddesses touching their chests have also been excavated.

インダス文明のモヘンジョダロの女神像(紀元前2500年頃)

 


Margush Ruins


    Artifacts depicting two snakes have been found at the Margush site in Turkmenistan.
マルグジュ遺跡の二匹の蛇

 


■Around 2500 BCE


The Great Pyramids of Giza


    The three major pyramids in Egypt were arranged in alignment with the three stars of Orion's Belt. The pyramids are also concluded to be a common symbol.

    From left to right: the three stars of Orion's Belt, the Pyramids of Giza, and the city of Teotihuacan in Mexico.

 

    Left: When two horizontal golden ratios are aligned with the outer edges of the three pyramids, the total width of the three pyramids fits exactly within the span of two golden ratios. 

    Right: Similarly, when two vertical golden ratios are aligned vertically, the width of Khafre's pyramid matches the ratio within the purple golden ratio (indicated by the red arrow). Additionally, the small golden rectangle formed within the purple golden ratio (3rd one) and the width of the fourth one determine the spacing between the pyramids (green golden ratio).


Pyramids and Sphinx 


    The three major pyramids also exhibit polygonal masonry with incised joints, a common feature found in monumental structures worldwide.

    Polygonal masonry at the entrance of Pharaoh Khufu's pyramid.


    Inside the "King's Chamber" of Pharaoh Khufu's pyramid, polygonal masonry can be observed on the stone pavement.


    Menkaure's pyramid entrance also exhibits polygonal masonry.


    Furthermore, the left front paw of the Sphinx, located near the pyramids, displays polygonal masonry as well.


Egyptian Anubis


    Anubis, a deity in Egyptian mythology associated with embalming, is depicted with the head of a dog or jackal. The statue of Anubis in the Vatican Museum combines elements of the Greek god Hermes and is sometimes referred to as Herm-Anubis. It holds the Caduceus staff with two intertwining snakes.

エジプトのアヌビスアヌビス像(バチカン美術館)カイロ博物館のアヌビス像

死者のミイラを作っているアヌビス像『死者の書』に描かれたアヌビス


    Anubis, using the symbol of the scales, was a common depiction.

アヌビスと天秤


Horus, Osiris, Isis


    The image on the left depicts a young Horus in ancient Egypt, holding two snakes and a scorpion in each hand. The central image features Horus, Osiris, and Isis from left to right. There are also statues of goddesses breastfeeding Horus and Isis, as shown in the image on the right. The crown worn by Osiris in the center is also worn by the falcon to the left of the decorative eye of Horus.

ホルス(エジプト)horus_osiris_isisエジプトのイシスとホルス

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Benben


    The Benben in Egypt is a pyramid-shaped stone. In the image on the left, a winged disk is engraved on it.

ベンベンベンベン


    "Ben" means "to give birth multiple times" and "Benben" signifies "repeatedly and forever," representing eternity and the dwelling of spirits associated with regeneration and resurrection. In the Heliopolis creation myth of Egypt, the Benben was the first to emerge from the primordial waters of Nun and refers to the primordial mound where the gods first descended. Benben stones were placed on the top of pyramids and obelisks.

カルナック神殿のオベリスクルクソール神殿のオベリスク


    Through these symbols such as pyramids, engravings of winged disks, eternity, regeneration, resurrection, and being born from the primordial waters of Nun, the Benben also represents emptiness. Benben stones were created in various places during later periods.

    The Obelisk in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.

サン・ピエトロ広場のオベリスクサン・ピエトロ広場のオベリスク


    The Washington Monument in the United States, the obelisk in Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy.

アメリカのワシントン記念塔イタリア、ローマのナヴォーナ広場


    Obelisks in London, England, and Paris, France.

イギリスのロンドンのクレオパトラの針フランスのパリのクレオパトラの針


■Around 2115 BCE


The Golden Ratio of the Ziggurat of Ur


    The Ziggurat of Ur in Mesopotamia is classified as a stepped pyramid and exhibits the proportion of the Golden Ratio.



    The upper left is the ziggurat of Ur, and the lower right is the palace of Ur-Nammu.

 



■Around 2070 BCE


Yu, the Founder of the Xia Dynasty


    Around 2070 to 2000 BCE, the Xia Dynasty began in China. The term "Hua" in ancient times was used with the same meaning as "Xia." The founder of the Xia Dynasty was named Yu.

640px-King_Yu_of_Xia


 Bronze Artifacts in China


    The bronze artifact culture in China dates back to around 2000 BCE. Elaborate patterns can be observed on the bronze artifacts of the Xia Dynasty and the Yin Dynasty. The image below shows a wine vessel from around 1000 BCE, featuring swirling patterns that exhibit the Golden Ratio.

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    The Golden Ratio, swirling patterns, and the symbol of the owl.

    From left to right: figurines from the late Shang Dynasty (around 1300 BCE to 1050 BCE) and wine vessels depicting a Phoenix and an Owl from the Western Zhou Dynasty (around 1050 BCE to 771 BCE).


    A bronze wine vessel shaped like an owl from the late Shang Dynasty (around 1300 BCE to 1050 BCE).

    A bronze owl vessel from the Yin Dynasty (around 1700 BCE to 1046 BCE) and a bronze vessel with owl decorations from the late Shang Dynasty (around 1300 BCE to 1050 BCE).

 


The Book of Changes (Yi Jing)


    The Book of Changes is the oldest book in China, explaining the principles of natural and human life changes through sixty-four hexagrams, which are combinations of six yin and yang lines. Legend attributes the authorship of the Book of Changes to Fu Xi, who is depicted as two intertwined snakes.

六十四卦(ろくじゅうしけ)

 

 



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