Psalter Map - The Beauty of Maps - BBC Four

Summary

The Psalter map, a 13th-century Christian mappa mundi, offers a medieval view of the world as a round disc divided into Asia, Europe, and Africa. It places Jerusalem at the center and the Garden of Eden at the top, reflecting a religious perspective. Featuring biblical stories and a depiction of Christ, the map also includes 14 humanoid figures in Africa, symbolizing medieval fears of the unknown. While geographically imperfect, its primary purpose was to guide readers to heaven.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The Psalter map is a medieval mappa mundi, an illustrated map of the world on animal skin.
• 📜 It is bound into a small book of prayers, reflecting the religious context of the time.
• 🌐 The map depicts the world as a round disc divided into three continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa.
• 🏞️ The Garden of Eden is positioned at the highest point, which is the eastern part of the map.
• 👑 Christ is depicted as the overseer of humanity, with a vivid red pigment and a gold leaf halo.
• 🕊️ The T-shape of the orb in the map symbolizes Christ's dominion over the world.
• 📖 The map includes numerous biblical stories from both the Old and New Testaments.
• 🕋 Jerusalem is placed at the center of the world, marking the significance of Christ's life and teachings.
• 👹 In Africa, the map features 14 humanoid figures representing the medieval fear of unknown lands.
• 🛐 The primary purpose of the Psalter map was to guide its readers towards a religious understanding of the world and their path to heaven.

Q & A

What is the Psalter map?

The Psalter map is a medieval mappa mundi, an illustrated map of the world drawn on animal skin and bound into a small book of prayers.

How is the world depicted in the Psalter map?

The world is depicted as a round disc split into the three land masses of Asia, Europe, and Africa, with the Garden of Eden at the highest point, which is East on the map.

What is the significance of the T-shape in the Psalter map?

The T-shape in the Psalter map represents Christ's authority over humanity, with Christ painted in vivid red pigment and holding a goldleaf halo, symbolizing that Christ holds the world in his hands.

What biblical stories are depicted in the Psalter map?

The map contains dozens of biblical stories from both the Old Testament, such as Gog and Magog caged in the land of the unclean and Moses parting the waters of the Red Sea, and the New Testament.

Why is Jerusalem placed at the center of the world in the Psalter map?

Jerusalem is placed at the center of the world in the Psalter map because it is where Christ lived, taught, and died, making it a significant location for Christians.

What do the 14 humanoid figures on the outer edge of Africa in the Psalter map represent?

The 14 humanoid figures on the outer edge of Africa represent the medieval anxiety of unknown lands and symbolize monstrous races, reflecting the fear and mystery associated with unexplored territories.

How does the Psalter map integrate religion with geography?

The Psalter map integrates religion with geography by placing religious significance over factual accuracy, using the map to guide readers towards a spiritual understanding of the world and their path to heaven.

What is the primary aim of the Psalter map?

The primary aim of the Psalter map is to help its readers find their way to heaven, with a focus on religious teachings and symbolism rather than precise geographical accuracy.

What does the Psalter map reveal about the medieval Christian Church's view of the world?

The Psalter map reveals that the medieval Christian Church viewed the world through a religious lens, with a focus on biblical stories and the centrality of Christ, rather than a scientific or geographical perspective.

How does the Psalter map reflect the medieval perception of the world's layout?

The Psalter map reflects the medieval perception of the world's layout as a flat disc divided into three continents, with a strong emphasis on religious and mythical elements over empirical geography.