Monday, 12 April 2010

The Descent of Inanna - the oldest myth in the world.

‘The Descent’ dates from 4000 BCE and survives on clay tablets written in cuneiform text found in the ancient Sumerian city of Ur. It relates the story of Inanna, the goddess of Heaven and Earth, and her descent through seven gates to the Underworld, and the subsequent stripping of her seven holy powers. The myth forms the basis of my latest ice-melt which incorporates seven bowls, and will be interpretated by dance on the opening night.

The symbolism of number seems to have always been important. According to J.E. Cirlot seven symbolises perfect order, and corresponds to the seven Direction of Space, the seven pointed star, the seven chakras, the planetary spheres and the moon (since 7 x 4 = the 28 days of the month).

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