A tree of virtues (arbor virtutum) is a diagram used in medieval Christian tradition to display the relationships between virtues, usually juxtaposed with a tree of vices (arbor vitiorum) where the vices are treated in a parallel fashion. Together with genealogical trees, these diagrams qualify as among the earliest explicit tree-diagrams in history, emerging in the High Middle Ages.[1]
A matching pair of a tree of vices and a tree of virtues, from a manuscript of Speculum Virginum (Walters Art Museum Ms. W.72, foll. 25v & 26r, dated ca. 1200)
Ink and Watercolour Circa 1420-30.
At first appearing as illustrations in certain theological tracts, the concept becomes more popular in the Late Middle Ages and is also seen in courtly manuscripts such as the psalter of Robert de Lisle (c. 1310-1340).
The nodes of the tree-diagrams are the Cardinal Virtues and the Cardinal Vices, respectively, often culminating with the Theological Virtues and Vices, each with a number of secondary virtues or secondary vices shown as leaves of the respective nodes. While on a tree of virtues, the leaves point upward toward heaven, on a tree of vices the leaves point downward toward hell. At the root of the trees, the virtues of humilitas "humility" and the vice of superbia "pride" is shown as the origin of all other virtues and vices, respectively. By this time, the concept of showing hierarchical concepts of medieval philosophy in diagrams also becomes more widespread. E.g. ms. Arsenal 1037 (14th century) has a tree of virtue on fol. 4v and a tree of vices on fol. 5r as part of a collection of diagrams on a variety of topics.[2] In this example, the trees are also further subdivided into a ternary structure, as follows:
^genealogical stemmata since at least the 11th century, the arbor virtutum since at least the 12th; see Nora Gädeke, Zeugnisse Bildlicher Darstellung Der Nachkommenschaft Heinrichs I, Arbeiten zur Frühmittelalterforschung 22 (1992), p. 2. For the possibility of a genealogiacal stemma of the early 10th century, see Nora Gädeke, Eine Karolingergenealogie des frühen 10. Jahrhunderts?, Francia 15 (1987), 778-792
^Septem hore canonice; Septem actus passionis Christi; Septem dona gratuita; Arbor virtutum; Arbor vicioru; Arbor sapientie; Duodecim prophete; Duodecim articuli fidei; Duodecim apostoli.
^ in an early edition of Dante printed by Andrea Torresani (1451-1529), Venice 1515. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2012-02-26.[1]. Archived from the original on 2012-05-05. Retrieved 2012-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Serenus de Cressy, Arbor virtutum or, An exact modell in the which are represented all manner of vertues and graces
Michael W. Evans, "§3.5 Arbor virtutum" in The Geometry of the Mind (1980)[2]
A. Watson, "The Speculum Virginum with Special Reference to the Tree of Jesse", Speculum 3.4, October 1928, 445-469.
External linksedit
Matt Aleksinas (2006). "The Tree of Virtues & The Tree of Vices". Yale University. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
15th-century painted mural 'Tree of vices' as the seven-headed dragon of the Apocalypse of St. John (Rev. 12) at Anglican parish church of St Ethelbert’s, Hessett, Suffolk, England
The Seven Virtues and Fifty Subvirtues of Medieval Christianity
April 25, 2024
tree, virtues, tree, vices, tree, virtues, arbor, virtutum, diagram, used, medieval, christian, tradition, display, relationships, between, virtues, usually, juxtaposed, with, tree, vices, arbor, vitiorum, where, vices, treated, parallel, fashion, together, wi. A tree of virtues arbor virtutum is a diagram used in medieval Christian tradition to display the relationships between virtues usually juxtaposed with a tree of vices arbor vitiorum where the vices are treated in a parallel fashion Together with genealogical trees these diagrams qualify as among the earliest explicit tree diagrams in history emerging in the High Middle Ages 1 A matching pair of a tree of vices and a tree of virtues from a manuscript of Speculum Virginum Walters Art Museum Ms W 72 foll 25v amp 26r dated ca 1200 Ink and Watercolour Circa 1420 30 At first appearing as illustrations in certain theological tracts the concept becomes more popular in the Late Middle Ages and is also seen in courtly manuscripts such as the psalter of Robert de Lisle c 1310 1340 The nodes of the tree diagrams are the Cardinal Virtues and the Cardinal Vices respectively often culminating with the Theological Virtues and Vices each with a number of secondary virtues or secondary vices shown as leaves of the respective nodes While on a tree of virtues the leaves point upward toward heaven on a tree of vices the leaves point downward toward hell At the root of the trees the virtues of humilitas humility and the vice of superbia pride is shown as the origin of all other virtues and vices respectively By this time the concept of showing hierarchical concepts of medieval philosophy in diagrams also becomes more widespread E g ms Arsenal 1037 14th century has a tree of virtue on fol 4v and a tree of vices on fol 5r as part of a collection of diagrams on a variety of topics 2 In this example the trees are also further subdivided into a ternary structure as follows humilitas radix virtutum I prudentia seven sub virtues II fortitudo seven sub virtues semita vitalis III iustitia seven sub virtues IIII temperantia seven sub virtues fructus spiritus V fides seven sub virtues VI spes seven sub virtues VII caritas seven sub virtues superbia radix vitiorum I avaritia seven sub vices II invidia seven sub vices semita mortis III inanis gloria seven sub vices IIII ira seven sub vices fructus carnis V gula seven sub vices VI acedia seven sub vices VII luxuria seven sub vices In the Italian Renaissance Pietro Bembo developed a similar flow chart like moral schema of sins punished in Dante s Inferno and Purgatory 3 See also editSeven Virtues Seven Cardinal Sins Works of Mercy Tree of JesseReferences edit genealogical stemmata since at least the 11th century the arbor virtutum since at least the 12th see Nora Gadeke Zeugnisse Bildlicher Darstellung Der Nachkommenschaft Heinrichs I Arbeiten zur Fruhmittelalterforschung 22 1992 p 2 For the possibility of a genealogiacal stemma of the early 10th century see Nora Gadeke Eine Karolingergenealogie des fruhen 10 Jahrhunderts Francia 15 1987 778 792 Septem hore canonice Septem actus passionis Christi Septem dona gratuita Arbor virtutum Arbor vicioru Arbor sapientie Duodecim prophete Duodecim articuli fidei Duodecim apostoli in an early edition of Dante printed by Andrea Torresani 1451 1529 Venice 1515 1515 Venice ALDUS MANUTIUS AND ANDREA TORRESANI DI ASOLO Archived from the original on 2012 02 05 Retrieved 2012 02 26 1 Archived copy Archived from the original on 2012 05 05 Retrieved 2012 02 26 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Serenus de Cressy Arbor virtutum or An exact modell in the which are represented all manner of vertues and graces Michael W Evans 3 5 Arbor virtutum in The Geometry of the Mind 1980 2 A Watson The Speculum Virginum with Special Reference to the Tree of Jesse Speculum 3 4 October 1928 445 469 External links editMatt Aleksinas 2006 The Tree of Virtues amp The Tree of Vices Yale University Retrieved 2008 06 03 15th century painted mural Tree of vices as the seven headed dragon of the Apocalypse of St John Rev 12 at Anglican parish church of St Ethelbert s Hessett Suffolk England The Seven Virtues and Fifty Subvirtues of Medieval Christianity Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tree of virtues and tree of vices amp oldid 1171155424, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
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