The latest additions to our Elegance Series highlight the four elements of Nature.
Ancient philosophies commonly used a set of four archetypal elements to explain the patterns they observed in nature. For these cultures Water, Earth, Wind, and Fire made up the basic building blocks of the universe.
The Greek version of these ideas dates from pre-Socratic times and lingered through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, deeply influencing both European thought as well as culture.
The concept is much older in the Far East, being widely disseminated in both India and China, where it formed the basis of Buddhism and Hinduism.
To ancient cultures both Eastern and Western, each of these creative elements are necessary for human life. They have positive and negative aspects.
The Earth without Water to moisten it, without Fire to warm it, and without Air to surround it, would be a lifeless planet.
The elements work in harmony, even though at times their contrary aspects may seem in conflict with each other, to create and to sustain life.
Water as an element was seen as a great necessity, because without it nothing could live. Since only earth and water can bring forth a living soul, as an element it forms a vital building block for nature. Such was the greatness of this element that spiritual regeneration would not be considered to have been complete without it.
Thales of Miletus concluded that water was the beginning of all things and the first of all elements and most potent because of its mastery over the rest. Pliny said, "Water swallows up the earth, extinguishes the flame, ascends on high, and by stretching forth as clouds challenges the heavens for their own, and the same falling down, becomes the cause of all things that grow in the earth."
Rich blue enamel layered over the deep guilloche engraving on the barrel gives emphasis and depth to the fluid waves of the barrel design, representing both the power and grace of Water as an element.
The fluid engraving pattern is offset by the crisp pattern of lines and diamonds in dark blue enamel set into the gleaming sterling silver cap.
Earth is the base for all elements. It is a building block of stability, strength and dependable. The Earth is the kingdom of wisdom, knowledge, power, strength, growth and prosperity. It is also the physical Earth on which we live and is the very heart of life. It is essential for prosperity, fertility and solidity.
The Earth is also viewed as our mother, providing nourishment and shelter for farmland and creatures. Earth takes on qualities of Fire, Air and Water elements. Without Earth, life as we know it could not exist. Earth is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. Earth is considered to be both cold and dry, and according to Plato is associated with the cube.
We have selected a combination of rich copper brown and glowing viridian green enamels to set off the guilloche engraving on our Earth Pen. These two colours subtly blend together, representing the nature of the ground bringing forth plant life.
The bright silver cap is decorated with the line and diamond pattern in matching copper brown enamel.
The element of Fire is creative and destructive. Fire can protect us -- keep us warm, used for cooking, and to ward off the darkness of night. Without the fire of our Sun, there would be no daylight. Fire is the element which fuels our passions.
Fire can only survive through consuming another element. Fire gives energy and light but if uncontrolled, its destructive aspect will consume all things and darkness, making all things barren.
Fire is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. Fire is considered to be both hot and dry, and according to Plato is associated with the tetrahedron. In one Greek myth, Prometheus stole fire from the gods to protect the otherwise helpless humans and was tortured for his kindness.
Rich glowing Fire Red and a bright Flame Yellow enamel are layered over the deep guilloche engraving on the barrel mixing together to emphasise the gentle curves of the deep engravings on the barrel, the combination representing strength and passion as an element.
The flowing engraving design is offset by the crisp outline of horizontal lines and diamonds in the fire red enamel set into the gleaming sterling silver cap.
The element of Air is vital to human existence, without it we would all perish. Air is the manifestation of movement, freshness, communication and of the intelligence. Sound is another manifestation of this element. As an element, it is invisible, but its reality can be felt in the air that we breathe in every day. Air is the element of new life and new possibilities and is essential to growth. Air is often seen as a universal power or pure substance.
Plato’s student Aristotle (384-322 BCE) developed a different explanation for the elements based on pairs of qualities. The four elements were arranged concentrically around the canter of the universe to form the sublunary sphere. According to Aristotle, air is both hot and wet, and occupies a place between fire and water among the elemental spheres. Aristotle definitively separated air from aether. For him, aether was an unchanging, almost divine substance that was found only in the heavens, where it formed celestial spheres.
We have selected vivid light blue and shimmering grey enamel to represent the nature of this element, and the two colours mix fluidly over the crisp guilloche engraving of the barrel. The matching cap motif is accented in the same vivid blue enamel as the barrel.
The Elements edition is available in fountain pen and roller ball writing modes. The fountain pen is mounted with the large rhodium plated, iridium tipped 18 carat solid gold nib. It utilizes the reliable converter cartridge filling mechanism.
Our use of a solid sterling silver section leaves the Elements-Water perfectly balanced. With the weight of the pen centered low in the hand, writing with the Elements series becomes a pleasure.
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