It's called "The Golden Chain of Homer" or "Annulus Platonis" from the "Aurea Catena Homeri."
It's an alchemic code describing the cycle of Nature as an eternal outflow and return of the World Spirit.
I see it as a visual poem to understanding the workings of universe, or the perfection of the self, if one can translate it correctly.
Its symbols deal with Chaos, Spiritual Bliss, Spiritual Stagnation, as well as the various energies of the Animal, Vegetable and Mineral (and Human) kingdoms. Yeah, I guess it is kinda "cryptic!"
It was documented and published by the Austrian Alchemist and Doctor A.J. Kirchweger back in the 1720's, but I believe it's symbolism appears way before that date in various states of completion. I refined the imagery, made it a bit more graphic and less elaborate, and use it in many of my paintings and works on paper. I see it as a source of contemplation and inspiration. It's a very balancing image for me.
Goethe was influenced by it, in the late 1760's I believe, but I won't go into detail about that here.
On my right arm are 37 4-letter words ((FORM, POEM, MYTH, TRUE, CURE, DUST, etc.)) chosen at random. I'm not sure what that means, but it's there forever in case I need it.
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