Octagon - a photo on Flickriver

Octagon

Will I find you
In the halls of perfection
Somewhere between
The circle and the square
There exists a star in the ether
One can sense it near
My heart will beat again
In the starlight
New life will find a way
I can then travel through the colonnades
Soar up through the arches
See how you were made
The moon dips low on the horizon
But the star still brilliantly shows
What can I become now
Who will I be
Maybe it is too late here
I think we can agree
But squaring the circle
Helps me to believe
That all is not lost yet
And I will find what I need

***

When I was in Ocklynge Cemetery in Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK, this unusual octagon star in the centre of this cross caught my eye, as did the sculpted acanthus leaves at the ends of the arms of the cross.

The octagon is the shape of perfection, the number eight the 'eighth day’, in essence the ‘spiritual’ day of the week. The number eight is representative of eternity, infinity.

The octagon is transitional between the circle and the square - and came to represent Christ’s resurrection. Hence it is used in many martyriums and baptisteries for that reason. The Dome of The Rock is constructed as an octagon, and The Templars identified the Dome of The Rock as the site of the Temple of Solomon, therefore continuing this symbolism in their devotions.

The acanthus leaves have long been associated with rejuvenation, new life. This cross is an example of the ‘Flowering Cross’, the acanthus used in Christian symbolism for resurrection.

The unusual star-like octagon and the deeper symbolism of the memorial gave the Cross an esoteric beauty which appealed to me.

I have paired this work with Loreena McKennitt’s ‘Dante’s Prayer’, as her music often explores the path of the soul.

youtu.be/_PcfE28-9_s

And if you would like to see more of my work, have a look at my website at:

www.shelleyturnerpoetpix.com

Taken on: February 10, 2023

Tags:

Cross

Octagon

Acanthus

Gravestone

Memorial

Poetry

Ocklynge Cemetery

Fujifilm

Sussex

Spiritual

Emotive

Atmospheric

Esoteric

Religious

Christian

Shelley Turner Poetpix

Shelley Turner Poetry

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Sets appears in: • Ocklynge Cemetery

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Camera: Fujifilm X-T30, f/4.5, 1/600 sec, 18mm (=27mm), ISO 160 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Fujifilm X-T30
Lens:	18.0-55.0 mm f/2.8-4.0
Aperture:	f/4.5
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/600)
Focal Length:	18mm (35mm equivalent: 27mm)
ISO:	160
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Photos 2.0
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