The Terestrial Realm
| The earth is a paradise for plants and animals. Sometimes it provides abundant fruit for living creatures, while at others it imposes harsh conditions on life. As a whole, however, it exists to guarantee the survival of plants and animals. On the other hand. it also carries a negative connotation when compared to "the realm of air." That is, it is regarded as the "realm"of the profane as opposed to the sacred, darkness as opposed to light, and evil as opposed to good. In this instance, the latter is represented by the creatures provided with wings, in the form of a bird of prey, while the former is represented by the reptiles, in the form of a large serpent. ln the battle between the two, it is always the serpent that is evil, a universal mythological structure that reflects the basic human desire for the triumph of affirmative values. |
|
|
|
|
 |
