Penis tree - fertility symbol or political poster?(pic)

[underpants]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/oukoe_odd_penis


LONDON (Reuters) - At first glance, the Massa Marittima mural looks fairly similar to dozens of other medieval frescoes dotted across Tuscany.

Its branches are covered in penises.


There are 25 of them in all, of different shapes and sizes, complete with testicles. They hang from the lim t bs of the tree like leaves fluttering in the breeze.


The mural dates from the 13th century and is still visible on a wall in the Italian town of Massa Marittima where it was discovered during renovation work four years ago.

"It's a very clear political poster," said George Ferzoco, director of the Centre for Tuscan Studies at the University of Leicester in central England as he unveiled his theory about the picture for the first time.


"It's a message from the Guelphs, telling people that if the Ghibellines are allowed power they will bring with them heresy, sexual perversion, civic strife and witchcraft."

[madison2000]

1. Cool idea for a Christmas tree?!

:evilgrin:

[haele]

2. Could it be a fascinum tree?

It's very possible that instead of a social warning, it could be throwback symbology to a still fairly pagan tradition in the 14th century community - perhaps it was created to symbolize some sort of a "tree of life" to the locals? (thought the crows in the mural might be some sort of socio-political message, as are the crowned (?) figures holding a bag (?) forefront to the left of the tree)

From http://www.libidomag.com/nakedbrunch/porninrome.html :

The Roman word for phallus was fascinum. It was the ultimate symbol of power, luck, and fertility. A large penis symbolized everything positive. Shops and brothels hung images of them on their walls for good luck, accompanied by the words, "Here lies happiness." They believed that the male member was the source of life.

Very interesting mural.

Haele

[StClone]

3. Flaccid or otherwise

I enlarged the image and didn't think it was apparent what the "leaves" were. You need some imagination to spot the phallic symbols. I think this is a fallacy as to what is depicted.

[Spider Jerusalem]

5. Considering the resolution of the image...

you can't really tell, and enlarging it just leads to pixellation and loss of detail...

[Kellanved]

4. they're over interpreting

As usual, nature is way ahead of them:

http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/mypics/24858/display/1264346

The question is: a Ent?, Woody, or simply a pic from Matcom's garden ?