In this depiction from a 12th century encyclopedia we can see in the center the queen of philosophy throning over the Greek philosophers Socrates and Plato, surrounded by the seven liberal arts, each with its own "tools of the trade" (Grammar: book and switch[!] – Rhetoric: slate and stylus – Dialectics: barking dog's head – Arithmetic: knotted rope for counting – Geometry: compass – Music: string instruments – Astronomy: astrolab). The four scholars at the bottom, with black crows in their neck, are supposed to represent the "godless" arts of poetry and magic. (Hortis deliciarium, anonymous, created for the abbess Herrad of Landsberg)
Philosophy:
At the center of the inner circle, Philosophy, the queen of all sciences, is seated on a throne. The three heads emerging from her crown represent Ethics, Logic, and Physics. These are, according to Plato, the three branches of philosophy. In her hands, Philosophy holds a ribbon with the words, All wisdom comes from God, only the wise are able to fulfill their wishes.
Socrates and Plato:
At the feet of Philosophy, two men can be seen seated behind lecterns, labeled Socrates and Plato. Although pagan, these two thinkers are considered precursors of Christian thought. The texts surrounding the philosophers refer to ethics, physics, then rhetoric, allowing them to explore the world around them.
The seven Liberal Arts:
From the bosom of Philosophy flow seven streams, three to one, four to the other side. They, according to the text filling the space between the seven liberal arts, stand for Grammar, Rhetoric, Dialectics, Music, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Astronomy. The words around the periphery read read, I am divine Philosophy, governing over the world with the wisdom of the seven arts that are my subordinates.
Arranged around this interior circle, like spokes of a wheel, are the liberal arts, each beneath a Romanesque arc. They are represented by seven beautiful women dressed in long-sleeved gowns in noble medieval fashion. Three—Grammar, Rhetoric, and Dialectics (the three traditional language arts)—are called the "trivium," then considered the arts of the first degree. The other four branches form the "quadrivium," arts of the second degree - Music, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Astronomy. Each of the seven figures carries the emblem of her specialty and is described by the text along the arc surrounding her:
Grammar:
Grammar carries a book and a switch, saying, Everyone can learn the meaning of words, syllables, and letters.
Rhetoric:
She carries a tablet and a stylus, saying, Thanks to me, my dear orator, your speeches will move the listener!
Dialectics:
Dialectica points to a debater with one hand and to a barking dog's head with the other, saying, My arguments follow each other rapidly, like the barks of a dog!
Music:
Music is holding a harp, flanked by other instruments. She declares, I teach my art with the help of various instruments.
Arithmetic:
She holds a knotted string (an early form of abacus), saying, I have faith in numbers and I show how they are related to each other.
Geometry:
Geometry, holding a yardstick and a compass, says, Through precision I measure the earth.
Astronomy:
Astronomy holds in her hands a sort of magnifying glass or mirror and says, I owe my name to the celestial bodies and I predict the future.
At the bottom of the illustration are shown those who are excluded from the liberal arts. Four men are seated behind their lecterns; they are the poets and the magicians. As indicated by the text in the middle, These men are guided by evil, impure spirits, and all that comes from them are tales, fables, airy and frivolous poetry, or magic formulas. The evil spirits are represented by blackbirds, or crows (as opposed to the white dove for divine inspiration) placed behind their heads as if whispering into their ears.
