The iconography of the Virgin Mary holds a profound significance in the cultural and religious landscapes of ancient Ethiopia. As a symbol of purity, grace, and divine motherhood, the image of the Virgin Mary has played a central role in… Continue Reading
Polynesia is widely considered the birthplace of tattoos, however there are integral differences in the significance and purpose of Polynesian tattoos and those developed much later in the modern era and post modern world. This sacred form of body art… Continue Reading
Few cultures have achieved the level of mastery and reverence for precious metals as the Inca. The significance of precious metals, particularly gold and silver, in Inca society extended far beyond their material value. These metals were imbued with spiritual… Continue Reading
The Mayan Creation Story intricately weaves together the vital themes of horticulture, beauty, worship, and life, serving as a foundational narrative in understanding traditional Maya values and beliefs. This sacred oral tradition is underpinned by the roles six deities played… Continue Reading
Kohl, known for its use by the ancient Egyptians as eyeliner, provides key evidence of cosmetic developments and influences throughout ancient global history. It represents a standard of beauty and an appreciation for personal adornment attributed to the ancient Egyptians.… Continue Reading
The Qur’an was verbally revealed by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel and recorded textually over a period of roughly 23 years. Its beginnings, estimated to trace back to 609 CE allow us the understanding of how… Continue Reading
The Mahābhārata was composed roughly between the 3rd c. BCE and the 3rd c. CE, beginning during the era of Vedic civilization and ending just prior to the reign of the Gupta empire. The epic is one of two major… Continue Reading
The Venus of Willendorf, discovered in 1908, has undergone consistent reinterpretation since its excavation. The small figure itself stands at 11.1cm high and is intricately carved from oolite, a type of limestone native to Northern Italy. Dating back to roughly… Continue Reading
“Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.” – Nelson Mandela Hope binds people,… Continue Reading
We’re more familiar with stories of hope than ever before in todays day in age. Fictional stories about individuals finding hope in times of peril, any animated Disney movie for example. However to understand the deeper meaning behind these stories,… Continue Reading