SOURCE: "The Changing Role of Fortuna and her Wheel in the Middle Ages" by Nicol Valentin
KEYWORDS: Fate, Serenity, Humility, Center, Foundation, Rock
"By the 12th century, The image of Fortuna is solidified. She stands near a mechanical wheel with a lever that she controls.
Attached to the wheel are four figures, often dressed like kings, each with different names. On the left is regnabo (I shall reign), on top is regno (I reign) to the right regnavi (I have reigned), and at the bottom lies the unfortunate sum sine regno (I am without a kingdom)."
"As a Christian symbol, the Wheel could remind everyone of the follies of ambition. Focus on the higher things, it says. Forgo the love of the temporal. You’ll be better for it in the end. The Abbott of Fécamp went so far as to make an actual revolving wheel so his monks could contemplate the ever-changing fate of man."
"Christ becomes the center of the Wheel, and the Christian who keeps him at the center of their soul remains in peace and harmony with him. The image could also be found on church frescoes and exterior sculptures."
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