First Book of Scivias of Hildegard of Bingen. The written text and illustrations

The fi rst book of Scivias of Hildegard of Bingen is composed of six visions which recount the author’s revelation. The visions were written by Hildegard’s secretary, and at the same time illuminations were painted to illustrate the written text. The fi rst book of Scivias shows the creation of the world. In the fi rst vision one can read about the Creator. The second, very extensive, vision describes the fall of Lucifer and its consequence – the original sin of Adam and Eve. The third vision in turn shows the cosmic egg, which symbolizes the Universe. The fourth one consists of three parts and concerns the human body and soul as well as a relationship between them. Synagogue as a „mother of incarnation” and the mother-in-law of the Church is described in the fi fth vision. The last part of the book shows the characteristics of angels’ choruses. All elements that appear in visions, apart from their literary sense, also have a symbolic meaning. In some cases it is related to the real form of the person, thing or phenomenon. In the present paper these elements of cosmos are described according to their function and artistic representation. 

First Book of Scivias of Hildegard of Bingen. The written text and illustrations

The fi rst book of Scivias of Hildegard of Bingen is composed of six visions which recount the author’s revelation. The visions were written by Hildegard’s secretary, and at the same time illuminations were painted to illustrate the written text. The fi rst book of Scivias shows the creation of the world. In the fi rst vision one can read about the Creator. The second, very extensive, vision describes the fall of Lucifer and its consequence – the original sin of Adam and Eve. The third vision in turn shows the cosmic egg, which symbolizes the Universe. The fourth one consists of three parts and concerns the human body and soul as well as a relationship between them. Synagogue as a „mother of incarnation” and the mother-in-law of the Church is described in the fi fth vision. The last part of the book shows the characteristics of angels’ choruses. All elements that appear in visions, apart from their literary sense, also have a symbolic meaning. In some cases it is related to the real form of the person, thing or phenomenon. In the present paper these elements of cosmos are described according to their function and artistic representation.