The Middle Ages and Early Modern periods saw the interpretation of reality through symbols, connecting the natural world to the divine using symbolic thinking and images. The idea of a correspondence between the human and universal macrocosm was prominent in various fields such as medicine, philosophy, and religion. Symbolism played a crucial role in approaching divine matters, with symbols serving as a means of direct presence and embodiment. Plato’s influence on Neoplatonist and Hermetic thinkers emphasized the role of dreams and eidola (images) for interpreting the divine. Contemplation of art and nature was an epistemological tool, seeking hidden cosmic harmony and understanding. Christianity embraced worshiping images as representations of the divine, granting believers a way to understand religious concepts. Icons were considered mirrors reflecting the spiritual and divine aspects. The medieval concept of speculum books as mirrors containing all knowledge offered instructional and subjective insights on various subjects. Speculum humanae salvationis illuminated books demonstrated the interplay between the Old and New Testaments, influencing artists like Rogier van der Weyden.

中文翻译：

---

图像作为对另一个世界的暗示：在中世纪和早期现代社会中使用图像作为中介


中世纪和近代早期通过符号来解释现实，利用符号思维和图像将自然世界与神圣世界联系起来。人类与宏观宇宙之间对应的思想在医学、哲学和宗教等各个领域都很突出。象征主义在探讨神圣事物方面发挥着至关重要的作用，象征作为直接存在和体现的手段。柏拉图对新柏拉图主义和赫尔墨斯主义思想家的影响强调了梦和 eidola（图像）在解释神圣方面的作用。对艺术和自然的沉思是一种认识论工具，寻求隐藏的宇宙和谐和理解。基督教将崇拜图像视为神的代表，为信徒提供了一种理解宗教概念的方式。圣像被认为是反映精神和神圣方面的镜子。中世纪的窥镜书作为包含所有知识的镜子的概念提供了对各种主题的指导和主观见解。人性救赎的插图书籍展示了旧约和新约之间的相互作用，影响了罗吉尔·范德韦登等艺术家。