We, the human beings (people)
can, at times, are so vain. The perception we have of the past, present and
also the future are all measured or gauged in one form or other. They are
either, termed and categorized as bad, negative and ugly or should it be
pleasing, can be positive, good or beautiful. Indecently,
‘ Beauty ‘ is defined in dictionaries as a combination of qualities,
such as shape, colour and form, which pleases our aesthetic senses. In short,
what we desire is beautiful and on the other side of midnight, should we so
disagree, its ‘ugly’ or ‘bad’. This really, is all a question of perception. We
write about it, view, sing, taste, feel and even voice out our senses.
Can we really say, that our
‘aesthetic senses’ are our own, or nudged a bit, in one form or another? I
reserve my doubts on this. Take for example, a simple fruit, our baby senses
may have told us that we don’t want it, but our mother may have influenced our
young mind, by voice or act, that it’s really nice and we would like it, thus
we eat, in the end. Likewise, the painter, Sandroa Botticelli, according
records tell us, that his painting on canvas ‘the birth of Venus’ (1446-1448),
emerging from the sea, was ideally proportioned, as her distance between the
nipple and navel, between the two legs and between the navel and the groin are
equal, thus performing a harmoniously figure. In short, good and positive. The painting hang today in Uffizi
gallery in Florence, Italy. Most of us seem to agree, and, thus, it is a work
of art. I am not arguing whether the painter’s comments were just or not, just
pointing out the masses perception, which played with our own.
Cleopatra Vll Philopator (Late 69
BC-August 12, 30 BC), better known to us, as just plain ‘Cleopatra’, was
supposed to be so beautiful, apparently married her own brothers, Ptolemy Vlll
and Ptolemy XlV, and had an intimate liaison with Julius Caesar, and bore him a
son, Caesarion. After his
assignation in 44 BC, also married again with Mark Antony. This union bore them
twins, named Cleopatra Selene ll and Alexander Helios, plus another son later
on, named, Ptolemy Philadelphus.
She married her own brothers as per existing Egyptian custom, so it was written, which bored
no children. Strangely enough, history tells us that, she was Greek, of
Ptolemaic dynasty, and official documents were thus kept both in Greek and
Egyptian. However, Cleopatra did speak Egyptian, and presented herself as
recantation of an Egyptian goddess, Isis.
So, how beautiful can this woman (queen) be? After so many marriages,
and bearing, at least four children (that we know of), I wonder how she could
have maintained her lustrous figure. My grandmother, had less children and
fewer husbands, had big sagging boobs to her naval and a large tummy, able to
contest any beer stomach. Must be the genes. According to Plutarch (AD 46 – AD
120), a Greek historian and biographer, Cleopatra was said to be attractive in
her wit and sweetness in her voice and tone, while Cassius Dio (AD 155 – AD
235), a Roman council and historian wrote of her as ‘with surpassing beauty, in
the prime of her youth, striking with a most charming of her voice and
possessed a knowledge, how to make herself agreeable with everyone, brilliant
to look upon, and to listen to, with the power to subjugate everyone’. She was
around 22, when she met Julius Caesar, 54. So, my dear friends, I leave
Cleopatra’s beauty to your better judgment. I have no valid views to think
otherwise, should I be blessed with another life, I will for sure check her
out, however, I may not be able to give my two cents worth, as I also may be
magnetized to her.
World War l (1914-1918), resulted
in 37 million casualties, being the deadliest conflict, till then, human
history. Out of the said figure, 10 million were military personnel, who gave
up their lives, mostly in trenches.
Furthermore, notice not too many write-ups on, over 70,000 deaths from India,
the highest from the British Empire, second only to the British themselves. I
do not recall, much being said of the Indian deaths. All wars, are ugly, this
one tops it. The deaths of the Indians, should have had more coverage, in my
opinion, we owe it to them. After all, this was not their war as such, and yet,
they all laid down their lives for the good of the Empire. One death is already
one too much. Credit ought to be given where due, this is bad, really very bad.
Second Word War (1939- 1945),
cost over 60 million people to be killed and the deadliest military conflict to
date. The figure varies up to 80 million, by some estimates. The war wiped out 2.5% of the world’s population.
This was another ugly war. Germany under Hitler with his Third Reich (Nazi)
party, aimed to conquer all of Europe, and the Japanese to carve the East under
General Tojo. Thank god for the Allies, as this plan was not materialized. Plans for wiping off the Jews, from
this earth, by Germany was a big blunder. Even then, believe 5.5 to 6 million
Jews, were slaughtered by the Nazis. I believe this was a very big mistake.
After all, Jews in Germany and other European Countries were legal citizens,
helping the economy grow, and also being one of a catalyst towards their
growth. Look at Israel today, surrounded by Arab neighbors, still surviving and
a force to be reckoned with. This is beauty amongst thongs.
When we look at some of the
authors and writers, I discovered that while there was beauty in their works,
their personal life was a tragedy.
Mark Twain, (1835-1910), famous American writer,
titles included, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn and The Great American Novel was a broken man, even though he earned pots
of money from his books, but lost it all in business ventures, investments and
publishing houses. He was awarded an honorary doctorate (DLitt), by the Oxford
University in 1907 for his works and died of a heart attack. He did not enjoy
the money he made.
Should we look at Dylan Thomas
(1914-1953), a Welsh poet and writer, his works included, ‘and death shall have
no dominion’, ‘ Before I knocked’, ‘The force that through the green fuse
drives the flower’, ‘Portrait of the artist as a young dog (1940)’ and ‘the map
of love’ was a drinking man. He also encouraged himself, to be ‘roistering,
drunken and doomed poet’. He found it hard, to make a living as a writer, which
he supplemented with tour reading and broadcasts, on the BBC. Although died of
pneumonia, he was a very sick man (no liver damage) with bouts of blackouts and
not too well with money either. Even though, left school at 16, he has been
acknowledged, as one of the most import Welsh poets of the 20th
Century. Great! However, rather sad.
Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), Pulitzer prize winner of 1953,
was an American author and journalist, penned works such as ‘ Farewell to
Arms’, ‘For Whom the Bells Toll’, ‘The Sun Also Rises’, ‘Old Man and the Sea’
and many, more which we are familiar with. He published seven novels, six short
stories collection and two non-fictions during his lifetime, and more
posthumously. Married four times, also once a resident of Florida and Cuba,
shot himself at the age of sixty one in Idaho, USA. A producer of beautiful
works, and it seemed such a waste.
It seems to me, beauty is
somewhat associated with unpleasantness somewhere, not always, but more often
than not. Even William Shakespeare (1564-1616), our evergreen English poet,
playwright and actor, who died at the age of 54, was shrouded in controversial
after his demise.
I wonder why was that?
Some of us would comment that our
sweetheart is as beautiful as Mona Lisa. Some sang and wrote about her. If I
recalled, the painter, Leonardo da Vinci never said his painting was beautiful.
It was famous for her mystic smile, the monumental composition and modeling
pose, the background and the placing of her hands. The light that glows on her
breasts, neck and face were the same light that models her hands. Her portrait,
oil on canvas, now hangs in The Louvre, Paris. Today, beauty is somewhat
associated with Mona Lisa. How time can do so much.
Some wrote that an ‘Ideal beauty’
is an entity, which is admired, or possesses features widely attributed to
beauty in a particular culture, for perfection. In the realm of Christianity,
during the period of gothic architecture, light was considered the most
revelation of god. As such, Rayonnant rose window, in the Norte Dame, in Paris
was said to be a creation of beauty. In the era of Renaissance, Florence
Cathedral and dome are said to be in harmony, symmetry and of correct
proportions were considered essential elements of universal beauty.
Furthermore, the standing nude statute of David, by Michelangelo in the
Accademia Gallery in Florence, sculptured in marble is said to be a work of art
also. Please do go and view!
It is said that ‘The Himba’ are
the most beautiful people in Africa. They are a nomadic tribe from the
Kaokoland area in Namibia. They wear little clothes, except for a lion’s cloth
or goat skinned mini-skirt. They rub their skin with red ochre and fat to protect against the
penetrating sun, and also give them the appearance of red rich colour look. As
per their tradition, Himba women, are
noted for their intricate hairstyles and traditional jewelry.
In some areas of Africa, for
beauty, they would cut themselves and design works of art on their bodies, just
to be more attractive. Thank god, this culture did not crossed over from
Africa. How people sacrifice pain for beauty, I will never know.
So, Beauty is also an individual
sense of aesthetic, depending on culture and location and much, much more.
In Myanmar, my country, the
application of Thanakha, on ladies face is a thing of beauty, used since over
2000 years ago. Not only are they pleasing to the eyes, the light aroma is so
sweet and appealing, that would put European colognes to shame, no matter how
expensive they are. The Thanakha
act also as a sun block, and sweat are soaked into its application, and can
also control body odor. This is a fact, scientifically tested by western
companies. The application of Thanakha,
on body has been in
existence throughout our history and first recorded in a 14th
century poem. This can be found also in border areas of surrounding countries.
However, Thanakha is more pronounced in Myanmar. The Thanakha paste or cream
can be got, by grinding the dried Thanakha bark on a stone slab or tablet with
a little water. This stone slab or tablet is a must for any lady, stored in bath
or dressing areas. The Thanakha bark is from a tree by the same name and only
cut after 35 years. It is abundantly grown in central Myanmar, with Shwebo and
Shinmyadaung Thanakhas being more famous. Nowadays, it also now come in the
form of pasted block for ease of usage.
In conclution, I believe as the
old saying ‘ Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder ‘. I wish only to add,
beauty also depends on culture, tradition and location. As my essay, beauty is
rather a general term and can be shaped depending on circumstances and what we
want to see.
Beauty, in the tribal lands,
locations and definition may influence our aesthetic senses.
Good luck!
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