Embroidering Chakra Images - Energy for Heart ... - Wiehler Gobelin

The symbolism on the robe appears to
indicate a deep transformation process from
the un-knowing human being to a Divinely
awakened being. All the depictions on the
Coronation Robe bring the polarity of the
human being to the fore, the combination of
which leads to that condition of arousedness
which for a ruler by the grace of God was to
be the basis of his whole life and deeds.
When the robe was laid around the shoulders
like a cape and closed in the middle
with a clasp across the chest, the embroidered
representation of the Tree of Paradise
or the World Tree (a great ash tree at
the centre of the universe and joining the
nine worlds of Norse cosmology) arising
from its roots in the ground and with its
crown creating the connection to Heaven,
Tree of Paradise
© Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna
was displayed across the back of the wearer.
The World Tree is a symbol of the human
being who thanks to his backbone is able
to walk upright, who is the only being in
God’s creation to have his feet firmly on the
ground and who can be aware of his Divine
origin via his mental development. From the
Arabian source of the embroidering artists
it appears that for the representation of the
Tree of Paradise on the Coronation Robe a
palm tree was the inspiration. Its trunk truly
reminds us of the individual vertebrae. By
the exact positioning of the picture on the
actual backbone of the wearer of the robe the
expression connecting it with the World Tree
is emphasised in its full significance. The
„World Palm Tree“ on the Coronation Robe
stands in the centre of the representation
with which it again becomes clear how im-
portant it was for the artists to crown a ruler
in this costly robe who was aware of his gifts.
The vertical aspect of the tree emphasises the
vertical orientation, the leaves reaching out
to the sides and the horizontal represent the
reclining lion. In this way the Cross is suggested,
whilst the vertical aspect symbolises
the already described awareness process, and
the horizontal indicates the deeds of mankind
in the world.
The leaves of the Tree give the impression
of ferns that are unfurled and pointing
upwards i.e. towards Heaven. There are six
of them that are crowned by a leaf directed
at the top vertebra. The neck and head of the
human being rest on this vertebra and therefore
the seat of mental energy that enables
his release from his detention on earth, even
during his lifetime. So altogether there are
seven leaves. On the other hand the Holy
number “seven” indicates the seven-fold
integration process as is e.g. known from the
Indian chakra teachings.
Two leaves with sevenfold artisti-
cally fine veins running through
them are hanging down and
pointing to the earth which em-
phasises once again that spiritual
superelevation can just as much
lead to a downfall as one-sided
bondage with the earth. No matter
has strong the mental knowledge
is, one should always keep one’s
feet firmly on the ground. Heaven
and earth should have a mutual
effect on people!
On the wings of the robe there are lions
that are resting on camels. The depiction of
double lions is known and traditionally indicates
the double nature of mankind who just
as much bears the seed of God in him as that
of the ominous opponent. As a searching
spiritual being mankind faces the challenge
of being aware himself of these conflicting
powers in him and of gaining inner victory
over them.
WIEHLER MAGAZIN – December 2007 PAGe 20