Jacob's ladder, or the stairway to heaven, has become a commonly used theme literature and music since the original vision that Jacob saw in his dream. To the left is a representation on the Bath Abbey in the UK of the angels climbing to heaven on the stairway, and it is one of the many representations of the stairway in architecture. In th Christian view of the story of Jacob , they interpret the stairway to also symbolize Jesus Christ as a representation of the ladder, with him acting as the bridge between Heaven and Earth. In many versions, there are many different descriptions of the ladder to heaven, and there are also numerous interpretations of the passage describing the stairway. The ladder has been seen throughout literature and history, and in many songs. What are some of the adaptations or references to the ladder, and how closely do they relate to the original description of the ladder? Why do you think the artist, architect, or songwriter decided to reference the ladder, and what elements of the adaptation or reference are similar to the original story?
"He had a dream; a stairway was set on the ground and its top reached to the sky, and the angels of god were going up and down it." - description of the stairway in The Bible as in Literature, p.87 (for more descriptions, click on the link "interpretations")
I think this ladder resembles the ladder in Jacob's dream. It follows the description that it is set on the ground and reaches to the sky and the angels of God are going up and down it, but I still think it is this architect's idea of what it might have looked like. I pictured the staircase being less material, but rather heavenly and euphoric. I think the architect chose to reference the ladder here, because it symbolizes the Abbey's direct connection with God and heaven.
ReplyDelete