Vesica Piscis

Translated from Latin, means "Vessel of the Fish." This rendition combines the sacred geometrical shape and the fish form. The vesica is depicted in pagan and other religious art throughout history. In Christianity, Jesus and saintly persons are pictured with the vesica surrounding their enitre body or as an adaptation of the halo around the head. The area within the vesica represents the portal between the earth and divine. It also represents the life-giving, maternal womb.

Hymen made of neonatal foreskin cells and bovine collagen.
Final age: 2.5 weeks. Size: 1 ". Preserved by latex and plastic.

Silver culture plate for cell growth. Pre-treated with poly-L-lysine for cell adhesion.

Two overlapping circles arrange to make the pointed oval to create the Vesica Piscis. The hypotenuse of "HIJ" is numerically the square root of 5. Stemming from this basic overlap, other root factions can be calculated and other geometric shapes and patterns emerge. The vesica construction resonates in ancient architecture, clothing and body adornments.
(Image source: Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry)

Left: Vairocana "radiant" Buddha, unknown artist , 17th - 18th century, Japan
(image source: University of Michigan Museum of Art)
Right: Jesus, unknown artist, circa 1220, Germany
(image source: Badische Landes Library)

The shape of the Vesica Piscis is also known as "mandorla" or "aureole." The female portal shape has recurrent appearances around well-known holy persons such as Buddha and Jesus.

Exterior: beechwood, brown & green paint, shellac, wood and jade appliques.

Interior: culture plate (inside lid), magnifying boxe, hymen, green silk, LED lighting.

Click images below for detail on exhibition and tissue culture process.