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fandomhigh2007-02-22 06:51 am
blossomsofice.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2007-02-22 06:51 am
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Folklore and Fact: Mystical Artifacts, Week 7 [Thurs/2nd Period]
Sakura's expression this morning, as she waited for her students to arrive, was inscrutable, although she did have yet another ice cream sundae on hand. On the display screens were three different versions of a symbol that several students in the class would likely already recognize.
"This week's class, like last week's, also has roots in the medieval era, although the stories surrounding our object of focus are more specific to Jewish, Islamic, and Christian tradition," she said. Glancing toward Evie, Dawn, and the Winchesters, she added, "
I'm sure some of you are familiar with the Seal of Solomon. It's found in many accounts, including the Thousand and One Nights, and notably the Arabic tale of the demon Sakhr -- which is very similar to the ancient Greek account of Polycrates, as told by Herodotus."
"Various stories said the Seal possessed different powers," Sakura continued as she moved around the table to open this week's lockbox. "Some say it gave him the power to speak with animals, and others say that Solomon could use the signet ring bearing the Seal to command demons or djinni."
She withdrew a brass and iron ring, set with jewels and intricately carved with symbols, from the box and held it up for a moment before placing it on the scanning platform so the students could see its enlarged image on the display screens. "We haven't attempted to use it to do the latter, but the probability is very high, as representations of the Seal have been known to possess that power." She paused. "As I'm sure some of you know. Some traditions of alchemy also use the Seal as a symbol of transmutation, and forms of the Seal are part of several national flags from the Middle Eastern region -- the symbolism is so widespread that many people don't realize what kind of power it has. That's another reason Precious artifacts such as this can go unnoticed for so long."
Sakura paused, then continued, "But symbols can be very powerful, of course, and the Seal is no exception. The people who were after this ring when we obtained it would have used it to command an army of animals . . . and probably demons as well, if we hadn't gotten to the Pipes of Hamelin before they did."
She shut down the display screens and turned to face the class. "So these are your questions for discussion today. Solomon was, according to legend, a king of unparalleled wisdom and power. What would you do if you possessed an object that gave you the powers of this signet ring? Use it for good or evil? For your own gain, to help others, or some of both? How would you use that power?"
Sakura was secretly hoping for less-than-serious responses today. She could use the entertainment value -- it was really too cold to be eating this much ice cream.
[OOC: Class Info Post. Apologies again for not posting this last night. OCD is up!]
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"This week's class, like last week's, also has roots in the medieval era, although the stories surrounding our object of focus are more specific to Jewish, Islamic, and Christian tradition," she said. Glancing toward Evie, Dawn, and the Winchesters, she added, "
I'm sure some of you are familiar with the Seal of Solomon. It's found in many accounts, including the Thousand and One Nights, and notably the Arabic tale of the demon Sakhr -- which is very similar to the ancient Greek account of Polycrates, as told by Herodotus."
"Various stories said the Seal possessed different powers," Sakura continued as she moved around the table to open this week's lockbox. "Some say it gave him the power to speak with animals, and others say that Solomon could use the signet ring bearing the Seal to command demons or djinni."
She withdrew a brass and iron ring, set with jewels and intricately carved with symbols, from the box and held it up for a moment before placing it on the scanning platform so the students could see its enlarged image on the display screens. "We haven't attempted to use it to do the latter, but the probability is very high, as representations of the Seal have been known to possess that power." She paused. "As I'm sure some of you know. Some traditions of alchemy also use the Seal as a symbol of transmutation, and forms of the Seal are part of several national flags from the Middle Eastern region -- the symbolism is so widespread that many people don't realize what kind of power it has. That's another reason Precious artifacts such as this can go unnoticed for so long."
Sakura paused, then continued, "But symbols can be very powerful, of course, and the Seal is no exception. The people who were after this ring when we obtained it would have used it to command an army of animals . . . and probably demons as well, if we hadn't gotten to the Pipes of Hamelin before they did."
She shut down the display screens and turned to face the class. "So these are your questions for discussion today. Solomon was, according to legend, a king of unparalleled wisdom and power. What would you do if you possessed an object that gave you the powers of this signet ring? Use it for good or evil? For your own gain, to help others, or some of both? How would you use that power?"
Sakura was secretly hoping for less-than-serious responses today. She could use the entertainment value -- it was really too cold to be eating this much ice cream.
[OOC: Class Info Post. Apologies again for not posting this last night. OCD is up!]
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