Quintessence

Quintessence is often referred to as a fifth essence in the relationship to

four elements imagined composing the heavenly bodies. The other four elements are

water, earth, air and fire. It is the latent part of the whole; which is essentially what

embodies the theory of the macrocosm and the microcosm. The images are reflective of

the Egyptian Paddle Dolls; which were used in Egypt between the years of 2040 and

1991 B.C. The mythology of the Paddle Dolls was thought of as a symbol of fertility,

protection, and feminine sexuality. The inverted triangle is a symbol of water used in

science (chemistry) and the spiral is a universal symbol of

infinity. In making these I thought about how humans (in this instance females) are connected to the whole in a universal manner. Humans are 70% water, and thus our

DNA defines our core identity with this substance. Water is thought to exist both here on

earth; as well as on other planets. Scientists infer that liquid water once covered large

areas of Mars and Venus. It is compelling that water is found in every living thing; both

small as well as large. Without water, very little else is capable of existence. Also, this

rings true in the realm of fertility, as without reproduction living things could not

continue to exist.