My wisteria has tied itself in a Gordian knot, but it was invisible until most of the leaves fell from the vine. Just one lovely golden yellow frond of leaves left to decorate the knot.I have always heard the term "Gordian knot" but did not know the derivation of it or what symbolism it might hold, besides the obvious meaning of an intractable problem. So I did a little on-line research. This is by no means exhaustive, but highlights a couple of interesting points:
The noun Gordian knot has 2 meanings:
Meaning #1: any very difficult problem; insoluble in its own terms
Meaning #2: an intricate knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia and cut with his sword by Alexander the Great after hearing that whoever undid it would become ruler of Asia
http://www.ka-gold-jewelry.com/p-articles/gordian-knot.php
The Gordian knot and the idea of unity:
According to ancient teachings, in the beginning there was a great void. This void is the creator, with no body, shape or definition. The Creation requires a definition of space and direction. The Torus tube provides this kind of definition by using the inside, the outside, and infinity.
It can be used as a philosophical model of creation itself. The Gordian knot is the simplest of all Torus knots. The shape represents the idea of the ONE GOD and the holy trinity relation which comes from the ONE and exists in everything (positive, negative and neutral).
The word ONE ("ECHAD" in Hebrew) and the word LOVE ("AHAVA in Hebrew), has a numerological value of 13. The number 13 contains the one and the three…
We must be careful, of course, with semantics and symbolism. I know the author is not talking about the Christian's One God who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (if you visit the URL under the photo above, you will see what I mean), but to my mind it could fit.
Just an interesting thought, and much more than I expected when I saw the knot in my wisteria vine, thought "Gordian knot" and then thought, "but what does that mean?"
Who knew? Not I!
The noun Gordian knot has 2 meanings:
Meaning #1: any very difficult problem; insoluble in its own terms
Meaning #2: an intricate knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia and cut with his sword by Alexander the Great after hearing that whoever undid it would become ruler of Asia
Alexander the great and the Gordian knot:
The knot was made by Gordias. It was further prophesied by an oracle that the one to untie the knot would become the king of Asia. In 333 BC, Alexander attempted to untie the knot. When he could find no end to the knot, he sliced it in half with a stroke of his sword (the so-called "Alexandrian solution").
http://www.ka-gold-jewelry.com/p-articles/gordian-knot.phpThe Gordian knot and the idea of unity:
According to ancient teachings, in the beginning there was a great void. This void is the creator, with no body, shape or definition. The Creation requires a definition of space and direction. The Torus tube provides this kind of definition by using the inside, the outside, and infinity.
It can be used as a philosophical model of creation itself. The Gordian knot is the simplest of all Torus knots. The shape represents the idea of the ONE GOD and the holy trinity relation which comes from the ONE and exists in everything (positive, negative and neutral).
The word ONE ("ECHAD" in Hebrew) and the word LOVE ("AHAVA in Hebrew), has a numerological value of 13. The number 13 contains the one and the three…
We must be careful, of course, with semantics and symbolism. I know the author is not talking about the Christian's One God who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (if you visit the URL under the photo above, you will see what I mean), but to my mind it could fit.
Just an interesting thought, and much more than I expected when I saw the knot in my wisteria vine, thought "Gordian knot" and then thought, "but what does that mean?"
Who knew? Not I!
12 comments:
How very cool...
that your wisteria formed that knot and that you have wisteria! You'll have to post a photo when it blooms!
Lovely photo and amazing what that branch did following the sun, I assume. I think I would have been impatient like Alexander the Great too and just pulled out a knife.
Wow! Very interesting, Sara. I never knew, either.
The Gordian Knot is similar in shape and design to a celtic knot.
Oh. Sara... what an interesting post !! I love your Wisteria, and the rabbit trail it sent you on !! and the bottom line of your Georgian knot study is that God tied it first !!! smile
And how clever of you to catch it with just that particular yellow leaf.
I am enjoying Miss Kitty's blogs. Please let her know. Meow, meow!
I gave you a You Make My Day award on my blog today.
I love it! Great photo...and such in interesting post. And I'm with Julie...God tied that knot....for you!
I love the composition of the first photo! The second one is beautiful too.
This was very interesting Sara and how interesting the shrub looks. I like the photos after the rain too.
The knot on the shrub is quite something. A very interesting post you have turned it into.
The previous photos after the rain are great too.
I, again, knew the story of Alexander the Great, but found the further symbolism vvery interesting.
I am cautious about non-Christian explanations, but having distanced myself from Christianity and wandered in many directions, I have come to realize that many people's traditions express grains of truth and memories of the Creation.
Thank you for sharing this.
*By the way, I am going to add you to my sidebar, too. Great being here.
I knew the story of Alexander the Great and the Gordian Knot. Obviously, as a child, I read too much and watch TV too little. I still find it fascinating when nature provides us with visual paradox.
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