Hemelkaart van het stelsel van Copernicus 1660 - 1708

This celestial map, made by an anonymous artist, visualizes the Copernican system. The sun is at its heart, orbited by the planets – a revolutionary concept challenging geocentric views. But consider the symbols adorning this map. The very act of mapping the heavens echoes ancient cosmological diagrams, where order is imposed upon the chaos of the universe. This ordering impulse, this Drang nach Ordnung, transcends cultures. Think of the Babylonian world maps or even mandalas, all striving to capture cosmic harmony. The Copernican model, while scientifically grounded, also resonates with older solar myths. The sun, depicted centrally, evokes the ancient sun gods - Apollo or Ra - symbols of enlightenment and life-giving force. Through this map, science and myth intertwine, revealing humanity’s enduring quest to understand our place in the cosmos. It is a potent reminder of how images persist, evolve, and continue to shape our understanding of the world.