Ras Elased Borealis by Chipka
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Description
Немийская Федерация (nem EE sky ya fe DER at see yah) The Nemaean Federation is symbolically represented by the idealized countenance of a large, predatory cat, now restricted in habitat-range to the African Continent of Terra. This symbol, often called Ras Elased Borealis, maintains a position of considerable emotional and sociological significance to the people of Nemaea, and is, thus, the most common design-motif in Nemaean Classical architecture, and interior decoration.
It is an inescapable presence.
It haunts me.
In the city of Bes, where the architecture runs along hyper-modern Slavonic lines, the disembodied lion's heads stare at me from doors carved from caxa wood, and artistically-weathered ferroplaz. In the city of Kor Nemaea, the same visages greet me from older, weather-worn thresholds. Even in the hellish understreets of one Black City or another, the lion—usually sprayed as graffiti—stares with gaping jaws and absurdly sharp teeth.
As members of the Nemaean Cloister, Ilya and Aleo manipulate these symbols in ways that I have yet to understand. I have seen their work, though both are hesitant to speak of what they actually do.
It is because of them that must learn to understand the most subtle of meanings behind the lion.
I am Nemaean now and can no longer afford the psychological distance from these people as I knew on Earth.
Ilya sees something rich and strange when he looks at one lion's head or another—mounted on a door, or shadowed beneath the eaves of some high roof line.
Aleo—of Cherniy Nemaean ancestry—sees something only slight different than the most intimate of his Slavonii compatriots. But one sees what the other sees, and the lions are a strange and wordless language between them. I am one of them now, but I cannot yet speak so wordlessly with a glance at a door.
--From the private journals of Dorianna Eicher.
* * * * *
Okay, I couldn't stay away from Nemaea for too long; it—and an as yet unrevealed univers—occupy my thoughts on an almost daily basis, especially since Ilya, Aleo, Dorianna, et al have many more chapters of their convoluted tale to tell.
This is a door in Prague, in area of the city called Mala Strana—Lesser Town. I was struck by the bronze lion-head door-knocker, and I'd thought to make a post of this image earlier. Instead, I'm posting it now, as it bears a few similarities to the ruddy/woody pictures that comprise this particular “period” in my art. There will be more from Nemaea soon, more from Prague, and more from other regions in between.
Comments (35)
THROBBE
Wow! Great capture and description!
shonsu
Its no wonder the lion haunts you...the eyes and expression look like you surprised it when you took the picture. The colours and texture of the door is beautiful.
hipps13
I like this interesting work says a lot warm hug, Linda
claude19
I like your story very much !!! Great shot about this atmo you describe !!!
efferre
Did you never heard about Heracles and Nemaea Lion?????????????
Realm_Of_Illusion
Beautiful door and awesome texture :)
blinkings
Stunning. I think the colors you have captured here are amazing.
texboy
Grand mix of fact and fiction, Chip!!
mickuk50
The tones and colours in this image show a real beauty .superb capture :o) Mick
MrsRatbag
The image is beautiful, I love the weathered wood and the old metalwork; the continuation of the story is stunning. I love how you slipped into first-person narrative, it becomes even more alive!
beachzz
This is another wonderful foto; the light and old wood are warm and soft, and the metal has that patina that just glows. And your slip into the other world works so well, just shows me how easy it is to wander around, one way or another!!
nikolais
exceptionally itneresting info and a wonderful illustration, Chip!
romanceworks
Can't help but wonder what is behind that amazing door. And what a powerful lion symbol to accompany your powerful writing. You always take me to fascinating places in your reality and in your fantasy. CC
MagikUnicorn
X'CELLENT
EmeraldElf
Beautiful!
Meisiekind
Stunning image and accompanying story... Facsinating as always! :)
durleybeachbum
Marvellous story and super image.
dbrv6
Wonderfully done. I like the style of your writing here and your development that sets the tone of the history and the present.
ladyraven23452
Verey well done as always.
photostar
Stunning 'old world' door panel.
wingnut55
interesting pic.
auntietk
It's good to hear from Dorianna again. The first thing I thought when I saw the image was how well it fit with your recent work. Beautiful segue!
Fred255
Very imposing door!
Lunastar
Awesome!
mbz2662
Awesome door :)
KatesFriend
There is a strange sense that the door and this lions head know and reflect much history in the city. Have mysteriously survived many eras and tyrants that would have erased them long ago but somehow did not.
vlaaitje
wow, such a wonderful impressive dor, love the red, make me curious to see whats behind it
NekhbetSun
Both story and image, awesome ! H u g s
watapki66
Lovely!
L8RDAZE
Loads of detail to look at here. Love The worn patina, the small shield keyplate and of course the lions head doorknocker.