Observations placeholder
Rossetti, Dante Gabriel - Golden Water 1858
Identifier
008070
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The drawing is an allegory of the kundalini experience and of sexual stimulation techniques. Rossetti even shows a decorative pattern on the dress which looks like the spine ascending from a trigger point [in red].
The barrel is symbolically equivalent to a lake - a reservoir of energy from which one can tap [he intended the pun] spiritual input. The barrel looks like a wine barrel because wine is also symbolically spiritual energy.
The use of a cup or bowl and not a chalice is symbolically important.
There are levels and layers on the bowl - half an egg.
The model is Elizabeth Siddall.
A description of the experience
