As promised here are some pictures which show a Phrygian
cap and the general lack of trust or dislike that the cap offered. The paintings
I’m using are different versions of the Adoration of the Magi. Please note that there are different head
coverings in these paintings, in addition to racial differences for the different
Magi in the other example of the Adoration. Also be aware that there is a
specific order to the Magi—typically the three stages of man are represented,
the older man, the man in his prime, and a beardless, but grown, younger man.
This way, because there are no official statements which reflect how many Magi
there were, the three men at different stages of life could be metaphoric for
all the permutations of how many Magi there were.
Keeping this ordering system of honor in mind in this first painting, the person
closest to the Christ child is placed there out of respect, and this spot is almost
always given to the eldest in the group.
In the first painting by a northern Netherlandish artist, this older
magi is more European, and without a head covering. The other two Magi have head
coverings. The second man wears a crown, while the third man is wearing an actual
turban, which is slightly pointed, much like a Turk or someone from North
Africa/the Middle East would’ve worn at the time. Additionally, this shows us a
more European looking man as the eldest and most revered, then someone who
could be from either Europe or the far east, and the final magi has the darkest
skin, and is coincidentally the farthest from the Christ child.
In this second picture, we see all three magi in head
coverings, but this time, notice that the first and second men are both more
fair skinned, and that the middle one is wearing a helmet, and both stand in
front of an darker-skinned man who is also wearing a pointed turban. Again, the
placement of each man is similar to the first painting based on skin tone, as
the middle magi/knight appears to be younger than the final magi.
Finally, we see a modern idea of this cap in things like
the Legend of Zelda, as Link dons a Phrygian cap to fight evil. So, what do you
think? Any other cases where the cap/head covering might be a bad thing?
This is fascinating. I can’t say that I know of other cases where this is depicted. It is interesting that Link’s headgear of choice is of this style. While I love the games, I am not very well versed in their creation, so cannot say exactly say why he has that hat. However, I have heard that Peter Pan was his inspiration, who also dons pointed headgear, which I think can also be traced to some traditional German folk hats. So this brings me to a question for you. Does this hat represent someone who is simply under ridicule (like the Flemish) or does it also have to do with foreign or non Christian peoples. German’s could fit in the first category but I think not the second.
ReplyDeleteAt the time, it generally showed someone who was foreign, and perhaps not often trusted, like the Saracens, Turks, or those of middle eastern descent. I believe it also has ties to the East, thus why there are one or more of the Magi who wear them, and thus it helps identify, as you said, non-Christian people.
ReplyDeleteNext time, put the pix in the post! ;-)
ReplyDelete