Leonardo da Vinci

Throughout history, many great men and women made extraordinary contributions to our knowledge and understanding of the world around us as well as ourselves, explaining how things came to be or inventing a new gadget, making life so much more simple for us. Because of Galileo Galilee’s modification to the telescope, we can study the universe more clearly. Thanks to Marie Carrie we know now some basic principles of radiation and we can make sturdier bridges and buildings with accurate right angles because of the discovery of the Pythagorean theorem by Pythagoras. Yet, above all Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the most important and influential figures throughout history.

Born out of wedlock on April 15, 1452 to Peiro da Vinci and Caterina in Vinci, Florence, Leonardo di ser Peiro da Vinci is considered the archetype of a Renaissance man; he is a man with “unquenchable curiosity and feverishly inventive imagination”. Da Vinci was a polymath, although he is usually regarded as a painter, he also excels in many other subjects such as math, architecture, music and engineering; some say that that he is the most diversely talented person who ever lived. He worked as an apprentice for much of his earlier life and his most renowned pieces are probably the Mona Lisa and the Vitruvian Man.

In 1976, Christiaan Barnard performed the first successful heart transplant, based on da Vinci’s studies on the heart valve. In December 1903, the Wright brothers first launched their aircraft, but Leonardo da Vinci’s studies of birds and wings provided a base for the aircraft. Da Vinci had a dream where someday men would be able to fly just like birds do and he spent years studying birds. Although that dream couldn’t be realized in the time of da Vinci, without him, the first aircraft might have been invented much later. He also had many designs for an adding machine, tanks and submarines.

Da Vinci was a curious person, who often asked many questions.
He once wrote:
“I roamed the countryside searching for answers to things I did not understand. Why shells existed on the tops of mountains along with the imprints of coral and plants and seaweed usually found in the sea. Why the thunder lasts a longer time than that which causes it, and why immediately on its creation the lightning becomes visible to the eye while thunder requires time to travel. How the various circles of water form around the spot which has been struck by a stone, and why a bird sustains itself in the air. These questions and other strange phenomena engage my thought throughout my life.”

Because of his curiosity on why the sky was blue, he concluded that it was the molecules in the air scatter blue light. He even concluded that the moon reflected the light of the sun.

He also made many connections with seemingly unrelated topics, such as his connection with horse riding and gears, which later became the first bicycle. In one of his notebooks, da Vinci wrote, “connecting the unconnected” which is a way for him to think creatively. Once when da Vinci was standing by a well he noticed that a stone dropped into the well at the same time a church bell rang. Observing how the ripples spread out and connecting that sound also spread out, he made the conclusion that sound travels in waves.

Da Vinci also took many risks, such as experimenting with new paint techniques. When he was painting the Last Supper, he avoided layering plaster on the wall before painting with water colors, and instead, made his own fresco, but his experimentation with paint on the masterpiece failed miserably. Pigments fell off of the painting, inviting decay began to disintegrate the fresco and the paint faded considerably. Leonardo da Vinci’s also studied rivers, and by doing this, he believed that the earth was older than what the Bible said, therefore contradicting the Bible and could have been accused of heresy at any given moment and killed. He believed that ancient oceans left marine fossils on the mountains and not Noah’s Ark.

Da Vinci died on May 2, 1519 but he is still remembered today. Although some of his studies weren’t accurate, they all became bases for many of our new discoveries and innovations. Some say that Leonardo da Vinci was a man born out of his time and with so many contributions he made to our world, he could be just that.

Ancient Greeks in Modern Life

The ancient Greeks speak of legendary humanoids and creatures, mortal and immortal. They have the invincible gods and goddesses, like the great Athena and the powerful Zeus, and the mortal humans alike. Now, we have rich businessmen, creative architects and those who live as the wind blows. These two completely different worlds, one with knives, the other with guns, may seem opposites, but in the furthest depths of their way of living, lies a few personality traits that seem to be passed on generation after generation.

Venturing into the different realms of monarchy and democracy, the unique rulers set very similar laws. No man, woman, or child should commit incest (crime of marrying a close relative). This crime is punished with separate ways, but punished nonetheless. The Greeks will be tormented with guilt by the Furies, a group of spirits that cause chaos to a victim. In the modern era, it is punished by being sentenced to prison.

We have in a way become more civilized, killing is prohibited and there are no exceptions. In ancient Greece, avenging a father’s death and fulfilling a mission is not punished, in fact, it is punished if it is not done. For example, when Heracles needed to slay the Minotaur to fulfill one of his 12 labors, it was not considered a death crime and blood-guilt. Usually, revenge is sprouted by jealousy of another family and betrayal. When Athamas, the king of Boeotia, left his wife, Nephele, to be with Ino (a princess), Nephele asked the goddess Hera for help. Hera drove Athamus mad and made him kill Ino and his sons, making him believe that he was killing a deer.

Greed has been and always will be a problem in humanity. A man always seeks for more and will do anything to achieve it. When Pelops wanted to marry Hippodameia with a contest, he bribed the servant (Myrtilus) of his opponent to betray his master. The servant hijacked his master’s chariot and so Pelops won. On the way home, he killed Myrtilus so that Myrtilus will not pose a threat to him.

The ancient Greeks did indeed have gods and goddesses which this religion has now turned into myths. These gods and goddesses dispensed justice, wrath, greed and revenge on mortal delinquents. Though they do not appear in mortal life anymore, they are shown by abstract things like karma, luck, fate, etc. When people are in search for more space, they often commence war for the land, like the raging war of Troy and the war between the Russians and Ukraine. 

There are certain traits that define humans, its what makes us who we are. No matter how much we evolve, the basic personalities remains the same. 

Alexander the Great

In 334 BC, the Macedonian Empire grew; its borders consisted of Greece, Egypt and present day Pakistan. The Macedonians conquered the Achaemenid Empire or better known as the Persian Empire, the largest empire at that time. The emperor of the Macedonians at the time was Alexander the Great. Under his lead, the Macedonians became one of the largest empires in the ancient world and his army was never defeated, earning his reputation as the greatest commander in history. Alexander the Great became as legendary as many mythical hero like Achilles. Even today, military leaders compare with him and his strategies and tactics are taught in military academies.

Alexander III of Macedon was born on 356 BC to the Philip II of Macedon and Olympias (who is attributed with the phrase “divide and conquer”), princess of Euprius in Pella and was tutored by Aristotle from the age of twelve until he was sixteen. He ascended to the throne at the age of twenty after Philip II was assassinated. In 334, Alexander the Great invaded the Persian Empire and after a few attempts, killed their king, Darius III and declared himself as the “King of Kings” the equivalent to an emperor. Alexander also became Pharaoh in Egypt, and declared that he was the son of Zeus Ammon, as Egyptian Pharaohs were believed to be sons of gods. As he made his way towards India, he contracted a fever and soon afterwards died in 323 BC.

As Alexander the Great conquered and founded many cities, he also began Hellenizing and spreading Greek culture and philosophy. Hellenic influence spread throughout the lands under the rule of Diadochi. An abundance of Greek statues, architecture and inscriptions have been found many cities around the Middle East and Asia. Many cities were named Alexandria after him and one city, Bucephala, was named after his favourite horse, Bucephalus. The spreading of the Greek language also introduced Greek literature to the Persian Empire, and influenced the philosophy and writing of the region. Even coins now have portraits on one side and important scenes.

Alexander also helped the economy for the ancient Macedonians. When he tried unifying the Greek and the Persian empires, he subsequently created a trade route between the two empires and commerce between Europe and Asia. To encourage commerce, Alexander standardized currency, making it much easier to do trade and business between these two regions. Encouraged, merchants travelled to the empires to sell their products in cities and towns.

Alexander the Great died at the ripe age of 33, yet his legacy continues on today. Even as we speak the English language, we are carrying Greek words in our vocabulary such as in alphabet, optician, psychology, microscope and telepathy. After the death of Alexander the Great, many other Roman and Greek conquerors such as Julius Caesar continued his attempt in Hellenizing, forever changing our modern world.

Where Heaven Meets Earth

Somewhere, there is a tiny world, where hillsides are painted green and stained with spice. Hills, which look like giant sleeping turtles.  The lush grass is spread around the hills like a blanket. It is soft like a lamb's wool and rich with hidden wonders. Priceless treasures like the earthworms who fertilize the field, to the rare emerald swallowtails. In the caves of the hummock, lie resting spirits keeping the valley safe. Their mere humble presence keeps the place humming with warmth and peace.

The mountainside dips down into a stream, the elixir of life cascading down. The glistening water is refreshing and gently flows around the whole area. The flow of the water creates a cleansing ritual, renewing the land and ridding the bad. It covers the unique underwater world of seafood and protects it. The water paints the image of the sky, capturing all the right shades and shapes. Pond lilies surround it like wings of an angel, each flower a different hue from the rest.

The tropical sun smiles upon the meadow and its exotic flowers, filling them with heat. Not too hot, but not to cold. The willows with their long summer icicles sway with the colours of the wind. With each clump o leaves that look like a waterfall, it creates a safe haven for animals seeking shelter or shade. The sweet aroma of flowers create a heavenly bliss. No, this is not Shangri-La. It is called Pratumia, found where heaven meets Earth.

A doe grazes through the field with her fawn. Her grace is a crystal jewel in the grass. Snow white rabbits prance around the lilies by the lake. Life here is simple, endless water and boundless food. But Pratumia isn't simply a meadow. Every night, something peculiar happens. The moon lights up the sky with a calming glow, a wake up call. The hills move. The Nysagi are small creatures, the size of a thumb, with pointy green heads, and eyes that reach into their souls. Their arms are petite and nimble and their stout legs are made of dirt. They lead an easy life; as they wake up each night, they patch up the bald areas, refilling the scenery with plantation. Their whispers are carried into the night.

The Elfra are bigger creatures with a head full of thick locks. With their eyes closed, it is difficult to find his face, but during the night, his features stand out. They are old souls, they have seen the beginning and will live to see the end. Their head gives shelter to many different critters, which are fast sleep at the moment. They move slowly, their rough brown bodies are bulky and silently creak as they move. Their thousand arms reach towards the moon, casting shadows on the ground. They sky is dark but natural lanterns light it up, leading a path for the shifting world.

The sleeping slumbers are slowly woken up by the sweet songs of the nightingale. The Nysagi and the Elfra are put to rest, lulled by the cooing of a dove and the golden melody of life.

The Alchemist

“Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him…But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them- the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place. “

　　 —Paulo Coelho

“I failed my way to success.”

　　 — Thomas Edison

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alchemist_(novel)

This book starts off with a shepherd boy named Santiago who had a dream about the Pyramids of Egypt. Seeking help from a gypsy, she revealed that he was to find treasure in Egypt. Wondering how he was going to get there, Santiago met an old king who introduced him to the idea of a “personal legend”; it is the reason you are here on Earth and the reason you are born. This book recounts the journey of how a shepherd boy realized his personal legend.

The old king told Santiago that everyone has a personal legend. It is like the Chinese saying “If I was born, then I must have a useful gift.” Everyone is here for a reason and is born to contribute something. Our personal legends could come in a form of a dream, an ambition or a goal. However, many people can’t realize their personal legends because they never tried, caused by fears.

In the book, it mentions a baker who’s dream is to travel and explore the world, but he stays in his town because he is afraid that the people would mock him, after all, bakers are more important than travelers.

When Santiago fell in love with a girl named Fatima, he was about to quit his personal legend to stay with her, to make sure she was safe. Although he did not fear failure, he feared that by leaving the person he loved, he would hurt her, and therefore debated with himself whether or not he would continue his journey.

Once Santiago worked for a crystal merchant whose dream is to visit the holy city of Mecca, but he is afraid that the city wouldn't be as he expected and he would be disappointed. He is afraid that if his dream were realized, he wouldn't have any more reason to keep on living. He also tells Santiago that he is afraid of change. He isn't sure about what was going to happen if he fulfilled his dream.

The book also touches on “beginner’s luck” which means that at the beginning, it is easier to have small successes, however, as we journey through our personal legends, the Spirit of the World will test us to see if we mastered the lessons we learned along the way. When facing these challenges, we usually back down.

Once, when there was a competition for Urban Voices, a poetry competition for elementary and middle school students and presented with the chance, I instantly saw myself sweating over my poem day and night. Daunted by this, I refused to participate, saving myself from the trouble of writing a poem, and also losing a chance at winning.

When confronted by the fact that he had to travel the desert, Santiago had second thoughts on travelling finding his personal legend. It could result in his death and he was in unfamiliar territory. On top of it all, there was talk about tribal wars in the desert. Yet he was still capable of overcoming this fear and continuing on with his personal legend.

In the story, Santiago’s sheep is a metaphor for normal people, or people who didn’t realize their personal legends. They are content with their lives, just grazing. They are satisfied with their peaceful lifestyles. They dream of having so much more, but are fine if they don’t get it.

How many times have we looked at someone who was richer, smarter or more talented that we are with envy? Yet, even experiencing these feelings, we do nothing to change that fact.

Through the journey of realizing his personal legend, Santiago was able to learn about the Soul of the World and how to overcome obstacles. Perhaps, as the story of Santiago, everyone can find and achieve their own personal legends.

"There is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth… To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation. All things are one. And when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true."

Kidnapped by Choice

In Greek mythology, Persephone is Demeter and Zeus’ daughter. Demeter is the goddess of crops and the fertility of the world. One day, as Persephone, a beautiful maiden, was picking flowers in Crete, Hades’ horses and chariot hurtled out of the ground and had her kidnapped. He had chosen Persephone to be his wife and the queen of the underworld.

No one wanted to pass on the news to Demeter, and Zeus did not wish to bring offence to his brother, Hades. 

When Demeter noticed her missing daughter, she began searching for her beloved, and ignored her duties as a goddess. Crops failed to grow and there were no births of birds, fish, animals, no one. The humans prayed to the gods for fortune, and when they were on the verge of extinction, Zeus finally decided to tell Demeter. 

Zeus sent Hermes to tell Demeter the news and Hermes told her where her daughter had gone. In order to be able to leave the underworld, one mustn’t eat or drink anything from the underworld. Unfortunately, Persephone ate 3 (some say 4 or 6) pomegranate seeds. After heavy bartering and bargaining, Persephone was allowed to go back to the human world – on the condition where she must return to Hades for as many months as the eaten seeds.

In most versions of this myth, Persephone was indeed captured by brute force, but according to some other versions, she chose to go down with Hades herself. Perhaps she enjoyed her life with her new husband and her new kingdom. There is one myth which tells that Persephone trapped Theseus and Pirithous, two mortals who ventured into the underworld to rescue her. She stuck them to a golden chair and served them a splendid delish, therefore cursing and binding their souls to the underworld. In some lesser known myths, Persephone seems rather content with her life as the queen of the underworld, and was ready to protect it from intruders. She might’ve even been eager to return to the darkness after her time allowed dwelling on Earth.

Perhaps, both these versions prove true. Persephone is often depicted as a victim of Hades, snatched away forcefully. Although maybe during the time which Demeter searched desperately for her, she began to grow accustomed to her new surroundings. Since she figured that she wouldn’t be able to leave the underworld, Persephone decided to settle in and make a living there. Often, changes just need to be accepted, so perhaps later on, Persephone chooses to stay with Hades and soon began to love her new kingdom, new powers, and new realm of darkness.

“After all, it is out of darkness that the new life of spring emerges, out of dark soil that spring bulbs send their green shoots, and out of the hidden womb that babies push their way” – Classical Mythology: Myths and legends of Ancient Greece and Rome. Persephone possibly enjoyed living in the underworld instead of dreading it.

At first glance, new things seem dangerous and uncertain. They have unknown, unforeseen consequences and/or profits. It is a gamble. Often are people blinded by their comfort zones and paradigms, and refuse to see things with a new light. It is only after accepting the change, will the wholly truth and benefits come up.

This myth is commonly told from the perspective of a despairing mother, Demeter; it is told with her sorrow. What would the story be like – what would the scenario be – if it were not Demeter’s point of view, but Persephone’s? Did she dread the underworld so, or did she accept it?

历史文化名城 · 阆中 · 孔家大院 ( 1 )

The Langzhong city (阆中), situated in the Sichan province of China, is a ancestral location of my family. Descending from my mother's forefather, Confucius, the 66 generation of the Kong line resided in this particular city. This old house has been constructed for roughly 300 years, every carve embossed on the wall containing the history and culture of our ancestry.

http://www.kong.org.cn/bbs2/a/a.asp?B=45&ID=4184
作者：韩星

在四川北部的嘉陵江边，有一个历史文化名城——阆中。阆中得名远在两千四百多年以前，“武王既克殷，以其宗姬封于巴”，“后治阆中”（华阳国志 巴志》）。秦统一中国建县至今，其城区所在地常常为为州、郡、府所在，现在为四川阆中市（地级市）。这里历代为川北军事战略重镇，是汉代以来是一个天文学中心，李淳风、袁天纲、张飞的墓地就在这里。

在这里出生、活动过的历史人物很多，如汉“三侯”范目、蜀将马忠、汉桓侯张飞、大诗人杜甫、元稹、陆游、以及现代史上的李先念、徐向前等曾经带领红军转战在阆中及其周边地区。文物古迹也很多，有府县两级的文庙、文昌庙、明清贡院，孔家祠堂等——这是儒家的遗迹，还有开元寺、北崖寺、大佛寺、圆觉寺等寺庙——这是佛教的遗迹，还有巴巴寺、清真寺等——这是伊斯兰教的遗址，可以说是一个多元宗教及文化交汇的地方，这与其地理位置有密切关系。

孔子后裔“四川阆中支”的来源是这样，据《孔子世家谱》记载，“四川阆中支”最早的分支先祖为孔子48代嫡长孙“衍圣公”孔端友的胞弟孔端操。南宋建炎元年（公元1127年）金兵南侵，宋高宗仓促南迁。次年，孔端友亦南迁扬州。其弟孔端操仍然留在曲阜守庙，这便是孔氏南北两宗的开始。后52代孔之升从曲阜迁居陕西华原（今陕西耀县）。清康熙十六年（公元1677年）65代孔衍康奉朝廷之命，入川平吴三桂叛乱，许多孔系子弟战死沙场，孔衍康也为国捐躯，遗体运回阆中，安葬在较场坝。四年后平叛结束，66代孔兴石即定居阆中，他的两个儿子的后裔就是今天毛家巷孔姓和屏江街孔姓。孔姓家族在阆中城内修有多处大院，修民国谱时阆中支在世男性为286人，现在估计近两千人，子孙遍布国内和海外。

从清代以来，四川阆中支不乏杰出人物，如反袁司令孔庆宝；台湾清华大学教授孔莜芳，现定居美国；孔庆庚，阆中中学的创始人，曾任绵阳专区副专员、四川省政协委员；孔繁林，曾任阆中东风中学校长；孔繁成，四川华西医科大学副校长；孔庆林，重庆医科大学教授；孔繁涛，重庆市委政策研究室副主任；孔繁庚，中国航空航天专家，四川省人大7至8 届常委；孔祥金，中国公路专家，中国首条高速公路——京塘高速主要设计师；孔祥璞，四川成南高速公路建设总公司办公室主任、工会主席。

宁海宪宁
http://www.kong.org.cn/bbs2/a/a.asp?B=45&ID=4184



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孔家大院为阆中古城第一个对外开放的古民居，为孔子第66代孙孔兴时所建。孔兴时时任川北镇标左营守备（相当于现在军分区司令员）现阆中市所有孔姓（除近几十年从外地迁来个别孔姓外）均为孔兴时后裔。这支孔子后裔在孔子世家中称“四川阆中支”

据“孔子世家谱”记载：四川阆中支最早的分支先祖为孔子第51代嫡长孙“衍圣公”孔元措（金章宗明昌二年，1191年封为衍圣公）的胞弟安远大将军】武昌节度判官孔元綋。孔元綋的次子，52代孔之升为金代进士，任甘肃平凉符知府，异地为官，八百年前从山东曲阜迁居陕西华原（今陕西耀县），后54代孔思谟（驻防定边卫千户）又迁居平凉瓦店驿白草坪。清康熙十六年（1677年）65代孔衍唐（康熙皇帝亲封昭武都尉，正五品），同弟孔衍虞（诰封武德骑尉、正五品）奉朝廷之命，入川平息吴三桂叛乱，平叛结束后即定居阆中。孔衍唐的第二个儿子66代孔兴时修建了本院，本院至今已有三百多年历史。

本院坐北朝南，呈品字形结构，进大门是街门道，中间两扇平时不开，走两边侧门。红白喜事、逢年过节、贵客临门，中门和二门同时打开。走进中门是门厅，可接待一般客人（贵客在里面大厅接待），二门是古城院落中仅有的几个保存最完好的。进二门是一天井，天井东西两边是书房（即厢房），天井上面是堂屋，堂屋两边是正方各两间，正房两边是耳房，书房与正房间的街檐通道处有小门，进入东西两边花厅。现对外开放的孔家大院只是中间主体部分，占地800多平方米，其中建筑面积500多平方米。两边院落现为民居，仅两边院落即占地700多平方米。整个孔家大院占地两千多平方米。

中华人民共和国第一任副主席张澜先生和著名学者章伯钧、马亮等在抗战期间居住过本院。新中国成立后，本院长期作党政机关领导***宿舍，原四川省副省长刘纯夫任阆中县委书记时长期在本院居住。近十年来有多部电影、电视剧在本院拍摄。效果很好。

孔氏家族在阆中是个大家族，一百多年前即有“刘、孔半城”之称。虽然大多数早迁居外地，但回来寻根问祖的人不少，他们中不乏杰出人才，比如三十岁成为少年大学生，现为美国约翰.霍普金斯大学博士、教授的孔祥轩，有台湾新竹清华大学教授孔筱芳，有中国航空航天专家孔繁庚，医学专家孔繁成，摄影、书画艺术家孔繁有，金融专家孔繁胜，公路专家孔祥金等，他们在各自的工作岗位中，发挥着重要的作用。

在绿荫怀抱下的孔家大院，有古老宽阔的街道，将以它古朴典雅、厚重的传统文化、名人效应，迎来更多的中外游客。

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