Tale of the powerful angel. St. John receives the rod and measures the temple 975

Ende, a female artist, created this vibrant illustration about St. John, likely around the year 1000, using vivid colors and stylized forms. Note the angel handing a rod to St. John, a clear directive to measure the temple. This act echoes ancient Egyptian surveying rituals, where measuring was not merely practical but also a sacred act of defining space and order. The rod, a symbol of authority and divine mandate, has roots stretching back to the scepters of pharaohs, reflecting power structures. Consider the gesture of measuring itself. The act carries a profound psychological weight, suggesting control, understanding, and an attempt to impose order on the unknown. The depiction resonates with our innate human desire to quantify and comprehend the world around us. The motif of measurement evolves through art history, from the scales of justice in classical art to the scientific instruments in Renaissance paintings. This image invites us to contemplate how symbols resurface and adapt, speaking to enduring human concerns across centuries.