Mother World # 25 (sketch) Roerich N.K. (Part 3)

Description of the painting "Mother of the World" by Nikolai Roerich

Fascinated by Eastern philosophical and religious currents, Roerich considered it his duty to carry them through his art to people far from them. Expressing himself through what he did best - painting - he simultaneously popularized what he believed in. Even if people did not understand the meaning of paintings, they might be interested. And if they were interested, they could read them. Once they read, they believed.

"Mother of Peace" is one of his most optimistic paintings, because its very meaning implies the end of the Dark Era and the beginning of the Light Era. On a throne of mountains sits the Great Mother, who is that unified feminine beginning, which in different religions was called differently, not forgetting, however, never. The Empress is the arcana of the Tarot, symbolizing the mother. The Virgin Mary is the Christian reflection of the mother.

Many pagan, ancient religions revered not a single creator, but a single goddess who at the dawn of time gave life to the world. It is this ancient archetype of a giving, protecting mother that the Great Mother embodies. Her face is hidden under the hood, but the lower part visible to the viewer, impassive and similar to the color of bronze, illuminated, suggesting the coming of a happy, bright age and the coming discovery of knowledge.

Her chiton falls down in loose waves, symbolizing order and harmony in all that surrounds the Mother. Behind her, in the sky, the Seven Elders and the Three Magi are constellations, and between them rises in radiance and glory, just above the Mother’s head, the morning star, also heralding joy for all.

Around the mountains, which serve as the Mother’s throne, a river flows, symbolizing the endless river of life that feeds itself. The fishes swimming in it are the people, their destinies seeking themselves in the endless current. Woman and man look out from behind the rocks, their poses express admiration and awe.

And this is right - even if the Mother bears only goodness, it is blasphemous not to reverence her.