Facing left and wearing white gloves (symbol of innocence) the Knave suggests good intentions in the face of malign forces. Mary Packard writes that according to renaissance symbolism the red stocking and the white stocking indicates a conflict between lust and purity. Or as Stuart Kaplan (US games system version of the Visconti-Sforza) suggests they may just relate to the colours on the armorial shields depicted on the Knight of Swords and Staves and the Ace of Coins.
I'm reminded by this of bad scholarship - believing the first thing you read or that every thing that is written must be true. And of the importance of research and cross-referencing.
I don't know which interpretation is true. Perhaps they both are. At least I am aware there is debate and that makes me doubt my immediate interpretation that innocence is about drop off a cliff.
If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.
redstockings was/is the name of a women's lib movement here. And somewhere in the back of my beyond I learned red socks were a mark of a prostitute, along with red lights. Might have just been parental discouragement of red socks though. Funny the things that drop into our mind and take up residence.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about your women's libbers but red stockings equals lady of the night rings a bell. Certainly my grandparents thought red shoes a signified of loose morals. Funny how fashion now is reclaiming red vinyl skirts, white shoes and leopard print coats.
Deleteyou've made me think of the blue stockings - a circle of women who never married and devoted their time to writing. I have a research project for tomorrow :)
This dropped into my mind: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thess 5:21)
ReplyDeleteProve all things a good standard to have.
DeleteWell I'll toss out another theory about the stockings. Maybe the white one is that part of him that is easily led by others, and the red one his developing will and passion. :)
ReplyDeleteOoh that's a good one! White not always a signifier of virtue - hence lily-livered (or lily stockinged) meaning a weak and cowardly person. Off to find my red stockings...
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