The Mentis Flatuscence

Finally, I get to build my resources on Athanasius Kircher: Obeliscus Pamphilius

Das große flaggenbuch! 

How do you say goodbye to a book? 

This rare German Flaggenbuch of the Nazi Period has been in my ‘care’ for almost close to 8 years. An invaluable reference to my study of vexillology and heraldry.

Now we have to part ways for the owner has sent its summons Huginn and Muninn; Geri and Freki. I love this book notwithstanding its provenance/publication.

A haiku I wrote inspired by the Game of Thrones: “Winter fell — Evergreen thoughts persist / Resting on laurels.

(Lord Mentis Flatus, House Ars*e)

WINGED SEA LION: This is my ongoing research project on our national and colonial symbols as heraldry artist of the Republic and Presidential coats of arms/seals/flags. I believe this would be good information for our tourist guide friends in Intramuros and adjacent areas and to those interested in Spanish Colonial history.

One can surely miss nitpicking the bronze plaque on the pillar of the Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Andres de Urdaneta monument in Intramuros containing a barely visible WINGED SEA LION. This heraldic figure has not been written about in our national symbolic vocabulary because it is not widely used. I believe this is the first instance of its representation locally. 

Tracing its source I found some pictures from my 2004 trip to Paris: Fontaine Saint-Michel located in Place Saint-Michel in the 5th arrondissement. The fountain carries two WINGED SEA LION fonts that have been described as ‘dragons’.

The winged dragon fonts are clearly sea lions with serpentine or dragon-like tails. In heraldic vernacular a creature which is partly fish like the sea lion has been described as half-serpent or half-dragon. This is not withstanding the description given by King Philip II of Spain of the Ultramar Sea Lion of Manila as half-lion and half-dolphin. Half-dolphin is not the mammalian kind but the Greco-Roman interpretation which is half-fish. Dolphins had been revered by the ancients and are sacred to Apollo. And the god Apollo was the personal impressa of King Philip II according to the book, The Mirror of the Gods, Classical Mythology in Renaissance Art by Malcolm Bull.

In Medieval lore, a WINGED LION is symbol of Victory and Resurrection. Hence in most probability it was used as ornamental fonts to complement St. Michael the Archangel the leader of the Heavenly Host against Satan. But in this case has been transformed into half aquatic creatures per requirements on fountain designs in the style of the Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. 

The WINGED SEA LION in the Legazpi-Urdaneta Monument in Intramuros is one exciting rediscovery. It complements the dichotomous cross and sword drama that played in our 300-year history with Spain.

UPDATE: According to National Museum Director Jeremy Barns there are “winged creatures atop the posts of the Malacanang’s Kalayaan Hall walls”

OLD POSTERS: That time when Pierre and Gilles met the Popes and the Sacred Genealogy Tree. ‘Sacred and profane’ personal work/study circa 2003.

Super Happy Camper: Designs for Office of Historical Affairs 2004 (Office of the President of the Philippines) now implemented! (2012)

PDF COVER: Institutional Memory: Historical Renderings from First to Fifth Republic

For the ether: Muse, Museums, Musings  (Recent Designs)

Museum Brands: Not an official re-branding but an iconic treatment of Lopez Memorial Museum (@Lopez_Muse on Twitter) as advertised in Business World Magazine, July 2, 2012.

I utilized the iconic painting of the 19th Century Master Juan Luna’s Espana y Filipinas. The allegory of Spain and the Philippines is framed inside the shape of the shield from the Coat of Arms of the Philippines at the turn of the 20th Century.

The calligraphic figure Mother Spain is pointing at is the ancient Philippine script called ‘Baybayin’ of the initials ELF, Eugenio Lopez Foundation.

My Flag and Heraldry Art! Happy #4thofJuly

Creating/Rendering a “Neo-Victorian Zapf Dingbat” (according to a critic who shall remain nameless) from a heraldic figure.

Recent Museal Renderings Studies 1 to Four

Preview of the unofficial coat-of-arm-ish iconic brand of Lopez Memorial Museum to appear in an ad in a major newspaper.

Happy 114th Philippine Independence Day! Some Mythopoeia Filipiniana heraldry I designed for my still-in-the-works graphic novel.

Source

From A Blog About History: To coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Churches Conservation Society has posted an interesting interactive history of the Royals Arms, covering the different parts of the arms and what they represent, as well as how they have changed over time.

Go to Interactive British Royal Arms