The Iconologia of Cesare Ripa

The Iconologia of Cesare Ripa was conceived as a guide to the symbolism in emblem books. It was very influential in the 17th century and went through a number of editions. There were 9 Italian editions -1593, 1603, 1611, 1613, 1618, 1625, 1630, 1645, 1764-7 and 8 non Italian editions in other languages, 1644 French, 1644 Dutch, 1699 Dutch, 1704 German, 1709 English, 1760 German, 1766 French and 1779 English. Both the text and the emblems included in these editions varies greatly, and later editions use Ripa's idea, rather than following his text. The text transcribed here by Rawn Clark is an extract taken from a manuscript in the British Library Ms. Add 23195. Although it does not contain alchemical material as such, it does provide keys to the allegorical symbolism used in the hermetic tradition.

Introduction

Academia - Decoro - Scropolo - Detrattione - Devotio - A Dottione - Gratia - Elemosina

Crepusculo della Matina - Crepusculo della Sora - Invocatione - Autorita o Potesta - Terra Moto - Idololatria - Emulatione - Indulgentia - Offesa - Aristorcratia - Poverta - Astutia Ingannevole - Debito - Essilio - Miserecordia - Fraude - Inganno - Falsita d'Amore - Cupidita - Principio - Apprehensiva - Salvezza - Conversione - Sollecitudine - Dirisione - Cortesia - Humanita - Scoltura - Affabilita - Promissione - Tentatione - Riprensione

Pentimento - Pentimenti de Peccati - Penitenza - Discretione - Riparo da i Tradimenti - Difesa contra nimici, malefici, venefici - Difesa contra i Pericoli - Contagione - Tregua - Venusta

Logica - Confirmatione dell Amicitia - Custodia - Confessione Sacramentale - Superstitione - Equita - Soccorso - Amaritudine - Cecita delle Mente - Vilta - Sceleratezza - Stampa (Book printing) - Malignita - Stupidita - Indocilita - Architettura - Architettura Militare - Crapula - Fragilita - Seditione Civile - Unione Civile

If you have problems understanding these alchemical texts, Adam McLean now provides a study course entitled How to read alchemical texts : a guide for the perplexed.

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