184 



PROFESSOR D ARCY WENTWORTH THOMPSON ON 



Let us defer for the present the consideration of planetary signs in conjunction with 

 zodiacal ones, but let us pause to consider a few more representations of the zodiacal emblems 

 when displayed alone. In perusing a series of figures of coins or gems, we often meet with 

 the same animal in duplicate, forming a pair of symmetrical and identical but opposed 

 figures ; and the pair of figures, or in some cases three placed triradially, are sometimes 

 set in a figure of revolution. It seems to me that I find such figures mainly in con- 

 nection with the tropical or solstitial signs, and sometimes also with the equinoctial 

 ones. Taking the former case, we have to deal with the ancient tropics of Leo and 

 Aquarius and the later ones of Cancer and Capricorn ; while our corresponding equi- 

 noctial signs are, more anciently, Taurus and Scorpio, and in the later epoch Aries and 

 Libra or, as an equivalent to the latter, the Chelae of the Scorpion. Of these, the Crab, 

 the Balance or its substitute the Claws are in themselves marked by a bilateral 

 symmetry so conspicuous that we need not seek for further reduplication. In the case 

 of Aquarius I have not found such a symmetrical reduplication, unless the bilateral form 

 of the two-handled Jar be in itself its equivalent. But in all the other cases I find it. 



Fig. 4. — Coin of Amphipolis. 



Fig. 5.— Coin of Delphi. 



Fig. 6. — Archaic Gem 

 (I. B. and K., pi. xix. 1). 



An archaic bracelet, reproduced and familiarised by Castellani, consists of a split 

 ring, whose two ends are fashioned into the semblance of Rams' heads ; the whole 

 ornament is, to my thinking, a symbol of the year, from Aries to Aries. We have 

 a similar notion expressed in the annexed figures of the two Goats or in the 

 corresponding one of the two Rams ; these I take to be emblematic of the dividing 

 line of the solstice or equinox, as the succeeding figure illustrates the pivot-point of 

 the equinox in Taurus, with the Moon in conjunction. And turning from glyptic 

 or numismatic to monumental art, we think at once of the twin Lions guarding 

 their central column on the Lion-gate at Mycense : that column I take to be the 

 Lion-guarded pillar of the solstice ; I fancy it was once crowned with a solar globe ; 

 and I furthermore venture to prophecy that that temple-gate will be found in some 

 manner oriented to the midsummer sun, as is the great avenue of our own astronomical 

 temple of Stonehenge. 



From a study of the Lion and the Bull we are led, somewhat unexpectedly, to a 

 consideration of the Pleiades. This notable constellation occupies a remarkable position : 

 it is set in the sign of the Bull, and very nearly at the intersection of the ancient 

 equator and the ecliptic. In astronomical descriptions the place of the constellation 



