Mappa Mundi

By Andreas Walsperger [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Mappa Mundi,- “mappa” meaning “cloth” in Latin and “mundi” meaning “world” in Latin [1] – was first drawn in 1290, and is the only complete wall map of the world that survived the middle ages [2]. (A version of this map is pictured above, drawn by artist Andreas Walsperger.) Since most common users during the Middle Ages could not read, the map relied more on pictures to show meaning [3]. Modern  navigators would find the Mappa Mundi useless, but it represents the original cartographer’s longing for the Kingdom of God, as well as their desire to motivate other voyagers to explore unknown areas of the East [4]. The creation was not meant for geographical navigation, but it shows the great amount of spiritual influence on 13^th century scholars as they interpret the world around them, giving us clues on the theology, anthropology, and zoology of this history, ultimately showing the values/beliefs people in the middle ages abided to: for example, the world is depicted as flat and circular, populated with mythical creatures and religious figures [5]. There are three divisions of land masses- Asia, Africa and Europe- are surrounded by ocean. [6]

Prester John gives clues to his location in his letter, most significantly by saying he was the ruler of the 3 Indies [7]. As read from the original document, he states he is only 3 days journey from Paradise, which is distinguishable on the Map of Mundi pointing East, which is displayed at the top of the map (which is where the term “orient” is derived from: Latin for East [8].)

By: Cameron Mihell

[1] Kyoko Yuasa, C.S. Lewis and Christian Postmodernism Word, Image, and Beyond (Hokkaido University, 2014)

[2] Meler, Peg. “Mappa Mundi: A Medieval Look at Time and Place.” National Geographic. September 2001. Accessed January 10, 2018. https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/08/0829_wiremappamundi.html.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Kyoko Yuasa, C.S. Lewis and Christian Postmodernism Word, Image, and Beyond (Hokkaido University, 2014)

[5]  Meler, Peg. “Mappa Mundi: A Medieval Look at Time and Place.” National Geographic. September 2001. Accessed January 10, 2018. https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/08/0829_wiremappamundi.html.

[6] Kyoko Yuasa, C.S. Lewis and Christian Postmodernism Word, Image, and Beyond (Hokkaido University, 2014)

[7] Rosenberg, Matt. “Prester John.” ThoughtCo. Accessed January 10, 2018. https://www.thoughtco.com/prester-john-1435023.

[8] Kyoko Yuasa, C.S. Lewis and Christian Postmodernism Word, Image, and Beyond (Hokkaido University, 2014)