Entre science et croyances : l’image du ciel au carrefour des imaginaires
Between Science and Faith: The Image of the Sky at the Crossroads of Cultures

Summary/Abstract: The iconography of Heaven is undoubtedly amongst the best examples that may help one understand the aim of images in Islamic Medieval Manuscripts. Scientific images, i.e. astronomical miniatures, are very interesting for scholars because they show us how scientific matters were learned by aristocratic pupils. Astrological images are more difficult to understand at first sight because, while they do not bring additional information about the text, they show us the remains of the religions and pagan beliefs prior to the arrival of Islam in Northern Syria and Mesopotamia. The best example is Astral Magic, which needed both astrological (technical) knowledge and worshipping gestures and appearance in order to make talismans into shapes which reveal to us the iconography of former deities.

• Details
• Contents