DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8944#0080
178
ARTHUR J. EVANS
the tree. The designs on both rings, which have been hitherto described
as scenes of an orgiastic dance, are in fact full of meaning and depict an
act of divine communion—the partaking by the Goddess of the fruit of her
sacred tree. In this case as in the other the tree is in immediate association
with a sacred pillar, here seen in its shrine. The tree seems to spread from
the top of a small sanctuary raised on a high base and displaying an
entablature sujDported by two columns, in the opening between which, but
not reaching as far as the impost, is seen the pillar form of the divinity.
Probably as in the case of the Knossian ring which supplies a somewhat
similar effect the tree must really be regarded as also standing within the
shrine or temenos.
In the field above to the right of the central figure on the Vapheio ring,
together with two uncertain objects, one of which may be a spray or an ear of
barley, there appears a device of symbolic significance.
This object (Fig. 54, 5) is described by Dr. Tsuntas as a cross-like axe
with two appendages while Dr. Max Meyer speaks of it simply as a double-
axe.1 It will, however, be observed that the lower extremity terminates in
Fig. 54.—Sy.mhoi.s derived from the Egyptian Ankh. \\. The Ankh. 2. Two-aimed
Egyptian Form. 3 and 4. Hittite Types. 5. From Mycenaean Ring. C. On Carthaginian
Stelo.
the same way as the two side limbs and that in neither case is there any
true delineation of an axe—though the curving edges may not improbably be
due to some cross influence from the double-axe symbol.
For the true meaning and derivation of the present figure we must look
on the Hittite side. It is in fact unquestionably allied to a modification of
the Egyptian Ankh or symbol of life and divinity (Fig. 54, 1) which effected
itself in the ' Hittite ' regions of Anatolia and Northern Syria. Already on
a cylinder of rather early Chaldaean type, but probably belonging to that
region, the Ankh is seen in its Egyptian form as a symbol of divinity behind
the hand of a seated God.2 Somewhat later it becomes of frequent occurrence
in cult-scenes and is also an accompaniment of Hittite princes.1' Already in
some versions of the Ankh belonging to the earliest dynasties of Egypt, it
appears with a divided stem below.4 In accordance with a well-known
tendency of Hittite art, whether or not with a reminiscence of this very
1 Jahrbuchd. L d. Inst. 7 (1892), p.>191. So
too Fritze, op. cit.
2 Lajarde, Culte de Mithra, PI. XXXVI.
Fig. 13.
3 Cf. Lajarde, op. cit. PI. XXXIV. Fig. G ;
PI. XXXV. Figs. 2 and 4 ; PI. XXXVI. Figs.
8, 9, 10 and 11.
4 On objects belonging to the first Dynasties
found by M. Ann!'lineau at Abydos,
ARTHUR J. EVANS
the tree. The designs on both rings, which have been hitherto described
as scenes of an orgiastic dance, are in fact full of meaning and depict an
act of divine communion—the partaking by the Goddess of the fruit of her
sacred tree. In this case as in the other the tree is in immediate association
with a sacred pillar, here seen in its shrine. The tree seems to spread from
the top of a small sanctuary raised on a high base and displaying an
entablature sujDported by two columns, in the opening between which, but
not reaching as far as the impost, is seen the pillar form of the divinity.
Probably as in the case of the Knossian ring which supplies a somewhat
similar effect the tree must really be regarded as also standing within the
shrine or temenos.
In the field above to the right of the central figure on the Vapheio ring,
together with two uncertain objects, one of which may be a spray or an ear of
barley, there appears a device of symbolic significance.
This object (Fig. 54, 5) is described by Dr. Tsuntas as a cross-like axe
with two appendages while Dr. Max Meyer speaks of it simply as a double-
axe.1 It will, however, be observed that the lower extremity terminates in
Fig. 54.—Sy.mhoi.s derived from the Egyptian Ankh. \\. The Ankh. 2. Two-aimed
Egyptian Form. 3 and 4. Hittite Types. 5. From Mycenaean Ring. C. On Carthaginian
Stelo.
the same way as the two side limbs and that in neither case is there any
true delineation of an axe—though the curving edges may not improbably be
due to some cross influence from the double-axe symbol.
For the true meaning and derivation of the present figure we must look
on the Hittite side. It is in fact unquestionably allied to a modification of
the Egyptian Ankh or symbol of life and divinity (Fig. 54, 1) which effected
itself in the ' Hittite ' regions of Anatolia and Northern Syria. Already on
a cylinder of rather early Chaldaean type, but probably belonging to that
region, the Ankh is seen in its Egyptian form as a symbol of divinity behind
the hand of a seated God.2 Somewhat later it becomes of frequent occurrence
in cult-scenes and is also an accompaniment of Hittite princes.1' Already in
some versions of the Ankh belonging to the earliest dynasties of Egypt, it
appears with a divided stem below.4 In accordance with a well-known
tendency of Hittite art, whether or not with a reminiscence of this very
1 Jahrbuchd. L d. Inst. 7 (1892), p.>191. So
too Fritze, op. cit.
2 Lajarde, Culte de Mithra, PI. XXXVI.
Fig. 13.
3 Cf. Lajarde, op. cit. PI. XXXIV. Fig. G ;
PI. XXXV. Figs. 2 and 4 ; PI. XXXVI. Figs.
8, 9, 10 and 11.
4 On objects belonging to the first Dynasties
found by M. Ann!'lineau at Abydos,