Hidden Inspiration in the Guitar Workshop
Some guitar makers have imbued their creations with hidden meanings, using shapes, proportions, colors, and elements that often escape detection by the untrained eye. Many of these designs are rooted in sacred geometry […] as if performing a magical act to crown their creative process.
The Symbolic Legacy of Antonio de Torres
Watching Joaquín Pierre’s video about Antonio de Torres, I was captivated by the wealth of knowledge he shared, particularly his insights into the symbolism embedded in the sound hole designs of Torres’ guitars. […] where the invisible is hidden in plain sight, discernible only to those who know how to look.
Apollo, the Laurel, and the Ritual of Mastery
Pierre’s discussion of the spikelet design and its connection to Apollo’s laurel crown was especially intriguing. […] the ritual laurel became the crown that adorned the god’s forehead as a symbol of his victory and his dominium over the Delphic oracle.
From Mother Earth to Apollo’s Muses
From then on, the Pythia, previously under the guardianship of Mother Earth, came under the guardianship of Apollo. […] art, the sublime and the gift of prophecy. It is the imposition of the era of patriarchy that replaced the ancient religion of the Great Mother […] represented by the death of the dragon, ancestral symbol of the Feminine.
The Triple Goddess and the Lunar Cycle
The Triple Goddess was worshipped throughout the Mediterranean basin […] birth, procreation and death belong to her in a continuous cycle of renewal and evolution.
The Sacred Colors and Domestic Altar
In her role as protector of the hearth and the family […] These colours also adorned the horn of the Unicorn, symbol of the lunar calendar and which symbolised the dominion of the Moon Goddess over the seasons.
Alchemy in Torres’ Mosaics
Pierre notes the presence of these three colours in his mosaics […] these are the colours of the Magnum Opus of the alchemists, showing the steps […] to obtaining the Philosopher’s Stone. […] It is the Red Lion which, in some cathedrals, was represented by a woman carrying a flag divided into three parts.
The Philosopher’s Stone as Soul Metaphor
This progression aligns with the lunar phases […] the way to recover the nobility and primordial dignity of the human condition before the “fall.” […] a sublime art capable of touching the human soul and inspiring transcendence, when it is created and interpreted by the sensitivity of a master.
Golden Ratio and Sound Harmony
Another cornerstone of sacred geometry is the golden ratio […] achieving harmony not just in the instrument’s aesthetics but also in its sound as a container for all the components that make up the instrument.
The Creative Vision of José Ramírez III
In my writings about my father, I often highlight his inventiveness, boundless curiosity, and relentless drive to challenge societal and artistic conventions. […] A revolutionary and transgressive spirit, he broke molds to achieve his vision.
Mystery as Creative Impulse
There are, let us say, esoteric elements in his work that remain private […] perceptible only to those attuned to their subtle presence. He often quipped, “I bless my imitators because, not knowing the reasons, they will copy my flaws.”
One of his favorite quotes, borrowed from Hamlet, encapsulates his life and philosophy:
“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
For him, the mystery, the hidden, and the unfathomable were irresistible challenges.
By Amalia Ramírez
Madrid, December 28, 2024
