This week's PhotoHunt theme is "What IS that?"
What do you think? Continue reading for one theory...
Some great guesses, everyone! Yes, it is in Venice. I think it looks like a sea serpent too (with puppy dog ears), and it makes sense that it might have been used to scare off evil spirits. And LOL at Baker...it does look kinda nightmarish, I guess, but it's such a nice piece of outdoor sculpture that I really like it anyway, scary or not.
I never would have found this thing if I hadn't seen it in a book first. It's very tucked away and even with directions, I had a hard time finding it. The book is Paolo Giordani's Venezia -- he calls it a Dragon-Snake and says it's at least 500 years old. More from the book:
"This work has an interesting symbology. The figure brings together in a single symbol two aspects of the Cosmos: the dragon is yang, active principle and divine power; while the serpent is yin, the principle of reproduction and primordial water. The intertwined double spiral represents two directions of one movement: balance and imbalance, birth and death, the initiation of death and the rebirth of new being. The rings thus mark the mid-line between yang and yin, an alternative twofold expansion and the point of balance between two opposing cosmic forces."
Hmmm. I dunno. I feel like there's more to the story.
The dragon-snake is in Corte del Rosario in Castello, not far from the church of San Zaccaria. This corte is named for an ancient altar to the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary, but I don't know if there's any connection between that altar (which is no longer there) and this creature.
Here's another photo. I like the little weed growing out of the bricks too.
Comments (19)
I'm sure there is some great ancient story to come with it...I'll be interested to know....Let me know when you post the story ;)
Pearl - have a good weekend and happy hunting
Posted by pearl | July 19, 2008 2:55 AM
Posted on July 19, 2008 02:55
I really don't know. :) Good photo for this week's theme. :)
Posted by Leslie | July 19, 2008 5:08 AM
Posted on July 19, 2008 05:08
Hi Annie, great photo! It looks like a dragon with a really, really long tail! :)
Can't wait to find out what you uncovered?
Have a great weekend! And I'll check back on Monday to see if I am right! :)
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | July 19, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on July 19, 2008 11:15
It clearly looks like a dragon but why it's there I can't imagine. Great photo though.
Posted by Flo | July 19, 2008 12:48 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 12:48
Very interesting
Posted by Sandy | July 19, 2008 12:59 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 12:59
It's beautiful whatever it is. It looks like the front of a building?! Happy Hunting. Mine is up here.
Posted by CrAzY Working Mom | July 19, 2008 1:01 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 13:01
Cool dragon! Does it have a special significance?
Here's mine . . .
http://3garnetsn2sapphires.blogspot.com/2008/07/photohunt-what-is-that-and-project.html
Posted by Karen of Sillymonkeez | July 19, 2008 1:09 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 13:09
It looks nice but I don't have a clue on the story behind it -maybe it was to keep the bad omens away or something?
Posted by tnchick | July 19, 2008 2:31 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 14:31
Reminds me of something I use to see in my dreams but that was a long time ago and I was drinking a lot more back then.
Cool photo. Looking forward to a little background on that one.
Baker
Posted by BakerWatson | July 19, 2008 2:51 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 14:51
A dragon in Venice? Does it have anything to do with 'acqua alta" in Venice?
Posted by María I. | July 19, 2008 4:07 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 16:07
Maybe it is too spook away the evil spirits?? Cool photo! Where in Venice did you find it?
Posted by girasoli | July 19, 2008 9:35 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 21:35
If it's in Venice, a dragon seems a little out of place. PErhaps it is a sea serpent.
Posted by katney | July 19, 2008 9:53 PM
Posted on July 19, 2008 21:53
It's only Sunday, but I just wanted to take a peek to see if you've posted the answer yet! :)
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | July 20, 2008 1:20 PM
Posted on July 20, 2008 13:20
Me too! Peeking to see if you posted the answer yet.
Posted by girasoli | July 20, 2008 9:00 PM
Posted on July 20, 2008 21:00
Goodmorning Annie, the background meaning on your theme photo's subject was so well worth the wait. Very interesting symbolism. Thanks also for the wide angle shot.
Very cool post! Have a great week!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | July 21, 2008 8:49 AM
Posted on July 21, 2008 08:49
Ahhh, the whole yin and yang thing. Never would have guessed it! Great story and great find.
Posted by girasoli | July 21, 2008 4:28 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 16:28
Very nice - never would have guessed it (let alone it being in Venice...;) )
Cheers, Klaus
Posted by Klaus | July 21, 2008 4:43 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 16:43
You had me wondering about this dragon all day Sunday. Somehow I thought the dragon was at canal level, hence my comment about acqua alta. I'm curious to know a bit more about it but I'm deep in Mary stuff at the moment.
Posted by María I. | July 21, 2008 9:25 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 21:25
We sure did guess wrong!
Very interesting photo of old and new :)
Posted by Cats~Goats~Quotes | July 28, 2008 12:26 PM
Posted on July 28, 2008 12:26