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penetrated it; therefore they were accustomed to honor it with a ring as if with a crown. Indeed, when standing around the altars of the Gods, they would scent it with sweet fragrances. Likewise, a golden ring placed on the right hand was depicted as a hieroglyphic for seeking pardon from the Gods.

Turning finally to the meaning of feet, we should consider that the Egyptians, to indicate the winter solstice, fashioned two feet bound by shackles, because at that time the Sun appears to move at a slow pace. Furthermore, to suggest the impossible, they painted two human feet walking upon water, or according to others, a man walking with his head cut off. Indeed, just as feet placed on the surface of water demonstrate a vain thing, feet touching the surface of the earth represent the hieroglyphic of a foundation—hence "to set foot" is said to mean "to lay a foundation."

Moreover, according to Valeriano, feet submerged in water were painted to signify purification; in the work of Horus, this image was the hieroglyphic for a fuller, whose business it is to diligently clean all garments of stains.

Thus far we have discussed human body parts in relation to hieroglyphics. Now we shall weigh those in which the entire image of a man was delineated. For Meditation, they showed a man biting his nails; for Constancy, a man standing with his eyes cast down toward the ground; for Humility, a man kneeling; and for the Contempt of death, two naked men fighting. The statue of Mercury standing next to the figure of an old man was the hieroglyphic for a learned man, since wisdom without strength, and strength without wisdom, are of no value.

Prometheus shaping a man from clay was the image of a Teacher, for a teacher imparts skill and learning to a dull and unrefined man. On the other hand, many used a different hieroglyphic for this: they depicted a man urinating, from whom others would later draw the urine. Alternatively, the hieroglyphic for the Wise and the Foolish was the image of two naked men; for when these men are considered by strangers, their words will reveal the difference between them. For Integrity, a woman of lovely form was shown, and for Labor, the figure of Hercules. Though others painted the sea to signify Labor, since it is called *Pontus*, akin to *ponos*, which is the Greek word for toil. However, the hieroglyphic for a man measuring his own strength was the figure of a porter investigating the weight of a pack before lifting it onto his shoulders.

On the other hand, they also employed the human figure to display vices and crimes. Therefore, in demonstrating an inexpiable crime, a human body was painted composed of unequal limbs and marred by various scars. The image of a Traitor was a man showing a stone in one hand and bread in the other. The image of the Unjust was a man carrying water in a perforated urn; in this way, they suggested that the Unjust person, as someone infamous and wretched, works at everything in vain, since he is hated by all. For the Ungrateful, a man slaughtering an ox was depicted, according to that common verse: "Now it offers its thin and wretched neck to the knives of the Master, already loathed by the ungrateful plow."

For the Hypocrite, the icon of an Actor was used, who on stage pretends to be what he is not. For the Wrathful, a man supplying wood to a fire was presented. A man striking his own forehead was the hieroglyphic for Indignation. To express the Curious, they used the figure of a porter carrying a veiled bundle; for when someone asked what was inside, an Egyptian replied: "It is veiled so that you will not know." The hieroglyphic for a wicked litigant was the icon of Marsyas, who dared to contend with Apollo. For the Impudent, Cupid was painted breaking a thunderbolt; indeed, Alcibiades, the most impudent of all, was said to have carried this symbol on his shield.

To show the Cowardly and those fleeing in war, they painted a mother showing her womb to her son, as if out of fear he were about to enter back into the place from which he had emerged. For the Talkative and the Foolish, a man with large ears was depicted, since according to the teachings of physiognomy, the size of the ears is held to be an indication of loquacity and stupidity. To signify Pleasure, they portrayed a Maiden who was beautiful down to the navel and fish-like thereafter, since the end of pleasures always becomes foul. The hieroglyphic for an effeminate man was the picture of a man scratching his head with only a single finger; he is seen doing this with only one finger so as not to disturb his carefully dressed hair. Therefore, for a catamite, a long-haired youth was depicted.