Not Only Glass and Eye

The world of science is based on reason. Only what we can see, weigh and measure is certain. For this reason, the title glass (e.g. a magnifying glass) turns out to be a useful tool, but also the eye. However, there is a second world - the world of magic, which eludes rational thinking. It is dominated by prophecies, spells and magical items. See if you know the terms related to this world.

Created by:

Renata Pernak

License

RIDDLE 1:

What is the name of the object we carry with us to protect us from bad events?

_ _ _ _ _ _

Amber figurine of a bear from Słupsk

National Museum in Szczecin

This small bear might be even several thousand years old! Although it looks inconspicuous, like a toy, it was most likely attributed with magical power.

Its owner certainly lived in the environment of an ancient forest, which was intersected here and there by marshes and meadows. He ventured into the dark and dangerous woods to hunt game, including the most powerful at that time – the bear.

Amber figurine of a bear from Słupsk

National Museum in Szczecin

Such a strong creature must have aroused fear, but also respect. It was better to approach a face-to-face meeting with humility, as bravery could cost your life. It also didn't hurt to bring an amber bear with you – an amulet for good luck, which was supposed to protect its owner in case of danger.

The belief in the power of such animal amulets comes from a time when people's lives were deeply intertwined with nature.

Amber figurine of a bear from Słupsk

National Museum in Szczecin

SOLUTION:

AMULET

RIDDLE 2:

What is the name of the fantastic creature whose horn supposedly had magical properties?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Narwhal’s tooth

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Narwhal’s tooth

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Since the dawn of time, human imagination has been ignited by stories of a mysterious creature similar to a horse, with a single horn on its head. The fantastic theories seemed to be confirmed each time a horn was found. If there is a horn – long and spiral – then surely its owner – the unicorn – also exists.

Unicorn horns were said to have magical properties. They were believed to protect against poisons, and if ground up and administered to a patient, they could cure many diseases. It's no wonder they cost a fortune.

Narwhal’s tooth

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

It wasn't until the 17th century that a certain scientist proved that the spiral find was not a horn at all, but a tooth of a marine mammal called the narwhal, which resembles a dolphin in appearance.

This is how, thanks to science, the hope of finding a unicorn was shattered.

SOLUTION:

UNICORN

RIDDLE 3:

What is the name of the substance, drinking which was supposed to ensure immortality?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Cartouche with witches

Castle Museum in Łańcut

Under the cover of the moon, in the glow of fire and candles, strange creatures gathered. They crouched at the back, as if they wanted to closely observe the events of this night.

What sparked their imagination is happening around a cauldron set on fire. A mysterious figure stands in front of it. With one hand, it mixes a potion, in the other it holds a book. From it, it reads a spell, a magical formula that has the power to alter reality.

Cartouche with witches

Castle Museum in Łańcut

What's in the pot, we can only guess. Perhaps our hero is trying to create an elixir of life that will grant him immortality. After all, it is the desire to stop time and preserve youth that has motivated people for centuries.

Cartouche with witches

Castle Museum in Łańcut

SOLUTION:

ELIXIR OF LIFE

RIDDLE 4:

What is the name of the dream that turned out to be an accurate prophecy?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Fire! Fire everywhere!

Museum of the history of Polish Jews

Fire! Fire everywhere!

Museum of the history of Polish Jews

One night a Jew named Mendel Kalisz had a terrifying dream ...

On the streets of Warsaw, he saw a large swarm of bees, from which Deborah emerged. She is a prophetess, a person who mediates between God and people. Her appearance indicated that she wanted to convey something important. Then the swarm of bees turned into fire and began to destroy Warsaw.

For several days afterwards, Mendel Kalisz was seriously ill. He felt that his dream was a sign of the end of certain times – the times of traditional Jewish religiosity, which was the only form of faith he could accept. He also anxiously watched his daughters – would they persist in the religion of their ancestors?

Fire! Fire everywhere!

Museum of the history of Polish Jews

The religious dream of Mendel turned out to be prophetic. More and more Jews stopped observing the rigorous requirements of tradition, and many – including some members of Mendel's family – completely abandoned Judaism. What's more, in the future, Warsaw was consumed by the fire of World War II, during which millions of Jews were killed.

The character of Mendel Kalisz is real, and the dream mentioned was described in the memoirs of his daughter. It is on this basis that the comic you see was created.

SOLUTION:

PROPHETIC DREAM

RIDDLE 5:

What is the name of the object often used by a fortune teller to predict the future?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Visit to a fortune teller

National Museum in Lublin

Many people, wanting to know their future, decide to visit a fortune teller. That's what the young people from the illustration did: a woman and a man.

The room is in a mess. The old fortune teller sat down at a table where she spread out a deck of cards. She read the prophecy from them. She is now sharing it with the young people – pointing to the card with one hand, and to the man with the other.

Visit to a fortune teller

National Museum in Lublin

The scene is accompanied by two clearly conflicted animals – a cat and a dog. They look at each other defiantly, assuming a pose that seems to say: I am ready to fight. The animals present extremely different characters. The cat walks its own paths – can be malicious. On the other hand, the dog is loyal and devoted.

Perhaps this is how the artist wanted to reveal the reason for coming to the fortune teller. Could it be that the young people are checking if they will make a good match?

Visit to a fortune teller

National Museum in Lublin

SOLUTION:

DECK OF CARDS

RIDDLE 6:

What is the name of the person who predicts the future by reading various signs?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Divination set

National Museum in Szczecin

Divination set

National Museum in Szczecin

Let's move for a moment to West Africa, where we will meet the Dogons, who are mainly engaged in agriculture.

What occupies their thoughts is above all concern for the harvest. They are therefore looking for answers to questions about the time of sowing and harvesting cereals. A mistake can cost them the loss of a product necessary for life.

Divination set

National Museum in Szczecin

All these worries make the Dogons seek advice from diviners, who are equipped with a special set of items. It consists of six elements: two male figurines, two female ones, and two animal ones. The latter are not random – they resemble a crocodile and a fox, which are an important element of Dogon beliefs. The crocodile is considered a sacred and protective animal, bringing the rain so important for farmers. The fox is disobedient – it is responsible for chaos and unrest.

SOLUTION:

DIVINER

Not Only Glass and Eye

Dictionary of terms:

Amulet – an item to which magical powers are attributed, usually protective and caring towards its owner.

Judaism – religion professed by Jews; Judaism is belief in one God. The most important book for the followers of Judaism is the Torah.

Jews – followers of the religion known as Judaism; for centuries they settled in many places around the world, incl. in Poland. In 1948, the state of Israel was established, in which many Jews live.