Naturam natura docet, debellet ut ignem

Michael Maier, 1618 “Naturam natura docet, debellet ut ignem.” Atalanta Fugiens, Emblema XX, page 89, the motto printed over the engraving.

Symbolica, 2026 Maier’s Latin, put into English here: Nature teaches nature to overcome fire.

Michael Maier, 1618 “Flamma, vorat quae cuncta, velut Draco, gnaviter ursit
Virginis eximium vi superare decus:
Hinc lachrymis suffusa viro dum forte videtur,
Ille fuit miserae ferre paratus opem.
Protinus hanc clypeo velans contendit in hostem,
Et docuit tantas spernere mente minas.” Atalanta Fugiens, Epigramma XX, page 89, the six lines printed under the engraving.

Symbolica, 2026 Maier’s epigram, put into English here: The flame that devours everything pressed hard, like a Dragon, to overcome by force the rare beauty of a Virgin. When she was seen by a man, in tears, he was ready to bring the poor girl help. At once, veiling her with his shield, he went at the enemy, and taught her to despise such threats in her mind.

Tap a motif on the picture, or a line below. Its note opens under the line, with the reading its author gave it.

1. Primary motif
2. 1Firethe wall of flame at the right that the armed man goes at

A woman leading an armed figure toward the flames. By eye

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