The term "ship of fools", as an allegory, harks back to medieval times when it was the custom to rid society of "undesirables": the mentally ill and other outcasts, by gathering them into a boat or cart and having them taken away. The origin of the descriptive phrase appears to be a book by Sebastian Brandt, 15th century German humanist and satirist. His allegorical poem/story "Das Narrenschiff" criticises the state of the church, as well as what he saw as the weaknesses and vices of his time. 15th century painter Hieronymus Bosch gave us his version of Ship of Fools, in a painting (shown below). This was originally part of a triptych, a linked 3-panel piece of artwork, other parts also probably relating to aspects of human weakness.
500+ years later we can still relate to humanity as a Ship of Fools....no need to go into detail here, passing readers will recognise the indications.
So then, if this painting presents an allegory of humanity's weaknesses, it must also represent the weaknesses, or shadow sides, of the 12 signs of the zodiac, which together make up human nature. Conveniently, coincidentally (or not), there are 12 figures in Bosch's painting - too good a chance for me to miss!
First a brief explanation of the "props" in the painting. The round object hanging between the central group is a suspended pancake. As a game the characters try to take bites from it. Traditionally all eggs and milk were eaten before lent, but the fools choose to consume them in wasteful luxury. The pitcher upside down on a pole behind a nun, and some stored barrels behind the monk symbolise consumption of alcohol. The trees used as masts are symbols of the tree of life. The figure reaching up to a roasted fowl tied to the tree represents the gluttony of the times. (The idea comes from a medieval custom of attaching a roasted fowl or ham to the top of a greasy pole so peasants could try their skills to retrieve it.) The long banner flag with the crescent moon on it as a representation of Islam. In the tree top, an owl, usually symbol of wisdom, here representing heresy, as a bird that hunts at night - dark and spiritually unenlightened - symbolic of evil and superstition in general.
Here goes then - looking for a representation of weaker sides of the zodiac signs: Some are better representations than others; Bosch didn't consciously have astrology in mind when he painted this!
Aries (Self-seeking, arrogant) - Figure climbing mast to reach the chicken
Taurus (Totalitarian, self-aggrandising) - figure with arm in the air - at the back
Gemini (Lies, unreliable) - figure with mouth open to right of Taurus
Cancer (Self pity, fear) - figure lying down far left
Leo (Irritable & frustrated when not in spotlight) - figure dressed as Fool, sitting alone, at right
Virgo (Judgmental, vengeful) - Nun figure holding jug, to right of Cancer
Libra (Lascivious, indecisive) - Nun figure playing mandolin
Scorpio(Scheming, paranoid) - Monk figure at table
Sagittarius (Silly, greedy, overbearing) -figure directly behind the pancake on a string
Capricorn (Capitalistic, social climber) figure in water with bowl
Aquarius (Trying too hard to be different, poseur) - figure in water on right
Pisces (Addictive, lazy) - figure hanging over side of boat vomiting -at right.
(Alternative interpretations of the figures are very welcome - via comments.)
We're still aboard our 21st century Ship of Fools.
500+ years later we can still relate to humanity as a Ship of Fools....no need to go into detail here, passing readers will recognise the indications.
So then, if this painting presents an allegory of humanity's weaknesses, it must also represent the weaknesses, or shadow sides, of the 12 signs of the zodiac, which together make up human nature. Conveniently, coincidentally (or not), there are 12 figures in Bosch's painting - too good a chance for me to miss!
First a brief explanation of the "props" in the painting. The round object hanging between the central group is a suspended pancake. As a game the characters try to take bites from it. Traditionally all eggs and milk were eaten before lent, but the fools choose to consume them in wasteful luxury. The pitcher upside down on a pole behind a nun, and some stored barrels behind the monk symbolise consumption of alcohol. The trees used as masts are symbols of the tree of life. The figure reaching up to a roasted fowl tied to the tree represents the gluttony of the times. (The idea comes from a medieval custom of attaching a roasted fowl or ham to the top of a greasy pole so peasants could try their skills to retrieve it.) The long banner flag with the crescent moon on it as a representation of Islam. In the tree top, an owl, usually symbol of wisdom, here representing heresy, as a bird that hunts at night - dark and spiritually unenlightened - symbolic of evil and superstition in general.
Here goes then - looking for a representation of weaker sides of the zodiac signs: Some are better representations than others; Bosch didn't consciously have astrology in mind when he painted this!
Aries (Self-seeking, arrogant) - Figure climbing mast to reach the chicken
Taurus (Totalitarian, self-aggrandising) - figure with arm in the air - at the back
Gemini (Lies, unreliable) - figure with mouth open to right of Taurus
Cancer (Self pity, fear) - figure lying down far left
Leo (Irritable & frustrated when not in spotlight) - figure dressed as Fool, sitting alone, at right
Virgo (Judgmental, vengeful) - Nun figure holding jug, to right of Cancer
Libra (Lascivious, indecisive) - Nun figure playing mandolin
Scorpio(Scheming, paranoid) - Monk figure at table
Sagittarius (Silly, greedy, overbearing) -figure directly behind the pancake on a string
Capricorn (Capitalistic, social climber) figure in water with bowl
Aquarius (Trying too hard to be different, poseur) - figure in water on right
Pisces (Addictive, lazy) - figure hanging over side of boat vomiting -at right.
(Alternative interpretations of the figures are very welcome - via comments.)
We're still aboard our 21st century Ship of Fools.
