This allegorical/symbolic dimension of a "Golden Rose Lute" as a
non-physical spiritual goal is treading enigmatically close to Kakuan's
"Ten Bulls", a Zen classic by the 12th century Chan Master, Kakuan. It
is a series of 10 engravings with text; (based on & extending an earlier
Taoist work) documenting the search for the Bull, a symbol representing
the principle of life, truth in action, or just one's essential nature.
In this series the Bull is laboriously sought & finally found- but
instead of then being lost, it is transcended. Then self and
enlightenment are also transcended. (Meanwhile, I'll keep an eye out
for that lute.)
Dan
From: David Van Edwards <[email protected]>
To: Martyn Hodgson <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, 22 June
2013, 10:30
Subject: [LUTE] Re: The "golden" rose
Dear Martyn, Thank you very much for the reference, it would have
taken me ages to find starting from the beginning!! But apropos your
ideas of The Golden Rose Lute referring to the Papal golden rose there
are these words following the Gaultier piece quoted: "The first part of
the lesson representeth the enquiry after the lute, and kind promises
for those that shall give any notice of it; the second part representeth
first the trouble and hurly-burly of the seeking after the lute; and the
conclusion is a complaint of the loss of the lute that can not be found.
" Which does sound to me rather specific to an instrument. Of course it
could be symbolic in some obscure way but the references to the papal
golden rose you sent do not contain any idea of loss, rather the
reverse, since the rose itself seems to refer to the resurrection and
the blessings that follow. Any loss of those would rather undermine the
whole edifice of Christianity!
Best wishes, David
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