Description
EPIPHANY depicts the journey of the three Magi as they travel up a serpentine trail. One of the Wise Men is seated as he looks at a map of the constellations with his magnifying glass; his servant holds a lamp so that he can see. Another Magi searches with his telescope into the sky. They look up in search of their beautiful guiding star as angels surround and point to it. They have exotic birds, peacocks, and dogs among their animals. I have tried to capture the details of the many plants, bushes, and trees and to create a variety of colors of green.
I used many symbols within the tapestries draping the animals. These patterns depict the Lion of Judah, the lamp in the darkness, the rain falling on the parched ground, the key to the locked door, the crown and the heart, and the gates to the city.
This is part of a series of three images (TRIPTYCH). They were inspired by the Mexican tradition that I am familiar with for Christmas. Families will each create a beautiful crèche (nacimiento) with many figures and animals, creating a whole environment with landscaping in miniature around the Nativity figurines.
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Epiphany Reflections
A collection of observations, thoughts, and ideas on, or relating to, Epiphany. |
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William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) The Magi |
Now as at all times I can see in the mind’s eye, |
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Gertrud Mueller Nelson Author, Artist, and Lecturer on Myth and Ritual |
Can we keep our eyes on the star? Can we remember for whom we seek? And when clouds obscure our hopes and our vision, can we go to the RIGHT source who will tell us the truth and not interject their power needs into the equation? It’s a long road and a hard one. The Kings represent all nations. My prayer asks the wise ones of all nations who have gone before us to guide us and uphold us in our flagging endurance, and give us the grace we need to find the Christ everywhere we look. |
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T.S. Elliot (1888-1965) British/American Poet and writer |
And I would do it again, but set down This set down This: were we lead all that way for Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly, We had evidence and no doubt. I have seen birth and death, But had thought they were different; this Birth was Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death. We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, With an alien people clutching their gods. I should be glad of another death. |
