Friday, March 20, 2009

The Thinker - Rodin's Symbolic Sculpture


We have probably all seen a picture of Rodin's sculpture,
"The Thinker".

"The Thinker" is a naked man sitting on a rock. The elbow of his
right arm rests upon his left thigh while his chin rests upon the
fingers of his right hand. "The Thinker" is deep in Thought.

The Symbolism contained within this sculpture is quite interesting.
Symbolically, the Head represents that portion of the body where
the Mind resides. The Mind is directly connected to Spirit which is
connected to Divinity. Therefore the Mind is Divinity.
(See: Mind, Body And Spirit).

The chin of "The Thinker" rests upon his right arm which, in turn,
rests upon his left Thigh. This is an unusual and uncomfortable
position for someone to assume while in a state of Thought.
Normally, our chin would rest upon our right arm which would then
rest upon our right thigh. Or, our chin would rest upon our left arm
which would then rest upon our left thigh.

However, Rodin, in his sculpture, Chose the uncomfortable position
of having the right arm of "The Thinker" rest upon the left thigh!
But, Why?

When we consider this posture within the context of Symbolism we
get our answer. The right arm resting on the left thigh Symbolizes
the Union Of Duality. The right side of our body, which is the
Masculine side of our Nature, represents Reason while the left side
of our body, which is the Feminine side of our Nature, represents
Intuition.

Crossing, and thereby uniting, the right side of the body with the
left side of the body Symbolizes the Interaction, and Union, of
Masculine Reason with Feminine Intuition. This Interaction of
Reason with Intuition is a Union Of Duality. This is the same
Symbolism which can be represented by both The Cross or the
letter X, which also represent the Union Of Duality.
Therefore, the posture of "The Thinker" reminds us of our Dual
Nature: Masculine and Feminine, Reason and Intuition, Logic and
Feeling, Intellect and Insight.

In order for our Mind (our head) to reach a Balanced solution to
whatever matter it is that we are contemplating, we must allow
our Mind to rest upon, and use equally, both the Masculine and
Feminine side of our Nature. In other words, we must use our
Divine Faculties of Reason and Intuition, in equal amounts, if we
expect to make True and Wise Decisions.

Finally, the sculpture of "The Thinker" is naked. Nakedness,
Symbolically, represents openness, the exposed, the unhidden,
the completely revealed. In other words, nakedness represents
Truth.

Truth has no reason to hide. Truth has nothing to be ashamed of.
Truth has nothing to fear. Truth is Truth and it is all around us.
It is up to us to Seek It out, recognize It, and understand It, when
It presents Itself to us.

Therefore, the sculpture of "The Thinker" reminds us that it is
only by using both the Masculine and Feminine Aspects of our
Nature, in equal Balance, that we are able to un-Veil the Truth
and Wisdom contained within any issue that we are contemplating.

(Image via Wikipedia)

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009
Facebook StumbleUpon Technorati Delicious squidoo Google Bookmark
Yahoo mister-wong blogmarks spurl BlinkList Furl

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you, I have been getting this the last few times I meditate, your explination is just where I am, amazing , what about the disc thrower ?
Elizabeth - Anne Booth

Joseph Panek said...

Hello, Elizabeth;
Thank you for your kind comment!
I have no comment on the discus
thrower other than that nakedness
symbolizes Truth, or, that which
is not hidden: as in the terms
"the bare truth", "the naked
truth", and "nothing to hide".
Divine Principles and Laws of
Nature fall under the category
of Truth.
Joe