Abstract | This paper analyzes the importance of symbols in relation to the religious themes of fourteenth-century Europe, specifically Florence, Italy. With reference to a symbol found on the rooftop of Orsanmichele, this paper breaks down the current historiography of the way symbols are researched with comparisons to heraldry, masonry marks, and medieval graffiti. In addition, the argument states that the position of the symbol found on Orsanmichele is related to the fourteenth-century conceptions of the Virgin Mary, while also noting its possible characterization as a heraldic symbol, mason mark, or medieval graffiti. In doing so, comparisons can be made to how symbols have been analyzed and how symbols can give insight to religious conceptions of Christian Saints. |
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