Think you have the weight of the world on your shoulders?
What happens when Gods war? Our next vase ‘The Pillar of Atlas’ is named after a legendary rebel who chose the wrong side in a war among Gods, an unusually cruel punishment, and a final look that would stop anyone in their tracks.
Atlas, a famous Titan, unfortunately decided to participate in their rebellion against Zeus and the other gods of ancient Greece. This was their attempt to regain power, for the Titans were the original gods of the upper world.
The quest to regain their former glory must have been irresistible. The possibility and lure of power called out to the Titans. Most of all to Atlas, for he would eventually become leader of the rebellion.
Sadly, he was no match for Zeus. He and his Titan rebellion were defeated.
You can see more more pictures of the ‘The Pillar of Atlas’ here.
Zeus was often most clever and quite diabolical when handing out punishment. As leader of the rebellion, Atlas would receive a particularly harsh sentence – to hold up the sky! Some say the sky was placed directly on his shoulders, but in other accounts it was placed on two pillars he would hold in his hands.
But the story would not end here. Few people knew the location of Atlas, but a certain demigod who happened to be a son of Zeus happened to pass by Atlas. Perseus would eventually use the head of Medusa to turn Atlas into stone. Some say it was because Atlas refused to grant him hospitality, which would have been difficult because his hands were full.
Others say it was an act of mercy to alleviate the suffering of Atlas and end his cruel punishment. The Atlas Mountains are all that remains of this once proud rebel.
What did you think of our vase story and how do you like my latest creation? You can get your own copy of my book that features many stories like this one and pairs them with raku pottery vases by supporting our crowdfunding campaign to print the book.
I never gave vases and pots any thoughts and probably never would have had I not got exposed to your posts. There’s such beauty in your vases. I always enjoy the close up pics. Congratulations on your book as wellππΎππΎβ€οΈβπΎπ
Thank you so much for such a kind comment Judith! You have made my morning and I am really grateful you appreciate my work! I hope you are well and having a wonderful day!
This vase is a pure manifestation of understated elegance.
Wow! Thank you for such a beautiful comment Michael! I appreciate it! I hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start!
Thank you. And I hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start as well.
You are welcome! With a comment like yours it could not have started any other way!
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I really like this piece. And the story that goes with it!
Thanks so much Josh! That means a lot coming from such an accomplished author. I hope you are well and having a wonderful weekend so far!
I bet it takes you longer to come up with the name than to create the vase!
haha! In a few cases yes. But I usually let the names come to me π It works better that way π I hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start!
Long soak in the bath followed by afternoon nap, never better π
Love the pot and the story.
I like the vase very much, quite different than your normal vibrant glazes. π
I like how the finish is crackling – like Atlas under the strain. And the larger cracks look like a very stylized Japanese letter from a distance. Belle en blanc!
Good evening, beautiful πΊ & an interesting story. I look forward to read more stories like this one. I would like to thank you for liking my latest blog post βMesmerized by Commonly Needed Pearl ππβ. It meant so much to me. Have a lovely evening. πΈ
Thank you for the legend of Gods. I am not familiar , but I could feel how you named after it. Your imagination and creativity always stimulates readers like me.
I have for many years marveled at the potters’ art. I have but a few cherished pieces. This piece, though flat-bottomed as needs require, resembles the ancient amphora that held the wonders of their time.
D
The beauty of the shape and form of the vases is absolutely mesmerising.
This vase just oozes with elegance and character. Stunning!
This story could have a sequel with the box of Pandora.
I enjoy the stories that you share. The vase is a lovely creation.
As always your vases are the best of the best. The stoy of Atlas is very painfull to me. As a child of 7 or 8 years young I had a dream night after night, a nightmare. I was in a dessert, looking down, seeing my own clothes, seeing the hot sand between my legs/feeth, zooming in to al l those grains of sand, seeing a special formed grain, then zooming out, seeing myself standing in the dessert with that grain being a big rock I was trying to uphold, knowing that something bad woudl happen to many people if I should fail to uphold the rock. That nightmare stayed with me till unto mu 20’s. Then I was r.l. walking a path with, i don’t know the good english word, but i think it was pebbels. Walking there with husband and son I had an urge to stop and pick up a pebble. It was the miniature of my rock. I kept it for years, sitting on a windowsill. And than suddenly it disappeared, never found it again. But that day the pain in my atlas, that had given me so many illnesses over the years, had gone. the weight was not burdening me anylonger. I do have a special GP these days, aside from my normalGP. He says that on that day lots of family-karma was paid of by me for 7 generations before me. But alas, not all is paid and it seems fate has appointed me to clear some more karma of my ancestors. I do not know if that is true, but I do hope it is. So the children of my children and those of my beloved ones do not have to carry this burden for the next 6 generationsx. Blessings and love to all who have the same to carry.
C
Thank you so much for sharing your Atlas story Cecile. I can kind of relate to what you are saying because I had a similar dream growing up, that if I did not keep throwing wood on the fire that people would freeze to death. It seems these types of dreams help us work out trauma and karma. It is amazing that you were able to clear your karma, which I think is part of our purpose in this life. I hope you are well and your weekend is off to a good start!
Great post and beautiful vase, so vibrant!
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far!
Thank You!
Such a beautiful vase
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I’m looking through your blog and I just love it. π
Thank you so very much for your very kind comment! I am so happy to hear you are enjoying my blog. I am about to publish a book with many of the stories and vases! I hope you are having a wonderful day.
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Wonderful work!
Thank you so much for your very kind comment! I hope you are well and have a wonderful weekend!
My pleasure, and thank you!