In all ancient cultures of the world, ceramic objects of very beautiful shapes and decorations were made, but nowhere except in China did ceramic production lead to the production of porcelain. Europe first encountered porcelain in the 11th-12th century through trade connections with the Far East. The rare and exotic porcelain items thrilled Europeans with … Read more
Throughout history, we encounter a man who dances at birth, death, work, rest, religious ceremonies, war, and peace. In the search for the origins of dance, we inevitably come to the conclusion that dance was initially considered a sacred act and was most directly connected to the spiritual side of the life of each culture. … Read more
In ancient cultures, libraries were special places where a large number of selected and carefully preserved manuscripts, symbolic representations, and maps, written or engraved on different materials, were stored. They were usually part of a much larger separate complex within the city center for which we do not have a unique name today. These kind … Read more
Dragons are common motifs in myths, legends, and folklore of many ancient cultures. They are usually depicted as serpent-like or reptilian creatures, with elongated bodies covered in scales, large wings and eyes, and the ability to breathe fire. They represent certain qualities and strengths that humans need to express, certain trials or limitations that need … Read more
The phenomenon of death is deeply connected to human life, our intuitions and fears, expectations and perceptions. With our birth, we begin a sublime and painful process of daily transformations, during which fundamental questions about life and our role in the existential drama gradually arise in our consciousness. In this way, we discover new insights … Read more
An eagle fearlessly gazes straight into the Sun, And into you, eternal brilliance, if your heart is pure. Angelus Silesius The king among birds, ruler of vast expanses of sky and untouchable mountain peaks, has become an omnipresent symbol in various ancient cultures and has remained a emblem of many rulers and peoples throughout history. … Read more
Folklore is full of stories about the miraculous creatures of nature. Grandmothers used to tell their grandchildren beautiful stories in which the main characters were fairies, dwarves, mermaids, angels, and in which their characteristics, actions, and ways and forms of their appearances were described. Stories about these miraculous beings exist in numerous cultures from the … Read more
The Bandiagara Escarpment with its rocky ridge is one of the most impressive geological formations in Western Africa. The escarpment is located in Mali, south of the Sahara and the ancient city of Timbuktu, and adjacent to the ridge that runs parallel to the Niger River are the fortified settlements of the Dogon people. According … Read more
This article is based on the writings of 20th-century historian Christopher Dawson. As a historian of ideas, rather than bare facts (although his erudition was immense), many of his ideas are still very relevant today. One of his main themes is the importance of culture. To describe its role, he compares it to a plant … Read more
