#Symbols Hidden in Fairytale: 12 Dancing Princesses by Michelle Snyder

Fairy tales are vehicles for the transmission of history from ages lost in the mist of time. Clues to the lives and traditions of our ancestors are embedded in layers of characters, symbols, and story. Numbers are symbolic in fairy tales, hinting at astronomical awareness of the culture originating the tales. The story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses has its roots in the astronomical knowledge of pre-history. Twelve is a particularly significant number, associated with the ancient division of the sky into 12 constellations. It is common also to describe the movement of heavenly bodies, which move forward and back – as “the dance.” Each planet’s dance is different.

In this story, there are 12 princesses who sneak out of their room every night, and when they return, their shoes are worn out from dancing. The king, beside himself, finally finds a hero to find out what the girls were up to. Twelve beautiful princesses slept in twelve beds in the same room, with doors locked securely. Each morning their shoes were discovered to be worn out as if they had been dancing all night. The king, desperate to discover their secret, offers a prize to the one who did, but failure meant death. Several princes fail, but a soldier tricks the twelve girls and follows them through a trap door in the floor, into twelve boats, down a river to a castle where, sure enough, the girls dance all night with twelve princes. The soldier retrieves a branch from each of three trees; one of silver, one of gold, and one of diamonds, and a golden cup, which he gives the king as proof.  

With roots in the astronomical knowledge of pre-history – some goes back 77,000 years – this tale tells of keeping of secrets (represented by the mysteriously worn out shoes, which represent a year) and getting to know the twelve zodiacal constellations (the princes they dance with). Together the princes and princesses make twenty-four, the number of hours in a day. A wonderfully enchanting story, it is filled with symbols and allegory. Time is illustrated by the river and boats and the twenty-four characters “dance” with the mathematics necessary to measure time using the stars. It is one of many tales referring to “stories written in the sky,” which allude to ancient knowledge of seasons and natural cycles – stories embodied in the zodiac. The locked room holds the secrets of the ancient navigators. The garden of trees with gold, silver, and diamond leaves is similar to a garden in the epic of Gilgamesh. The golden symbolizes the golden ball of sun, or the grail.

This wondrous tale is one of thousands that carry secrets and buried history from the world of once upon a time. All we need do is look, and we will see. 

Remember: Our perception of today rests upon our knowledge of yesterday. And our understanding of today determines our future. Learn about the past – build a better tomorrow.

About Symbologist Michelle Snyder, M. Phil.

 

Michelle earned her post-graduate degree at the University of Wales. She is an author, speaker, publisher, artist, and teacher. Her artwork, inspired by her love of symbolism and folklore, has appeared in galleries from Massachusetts to California. Michelle is co-owner of White Knight Studio with her husband Jay Robert.

Other books by Michelle, available at Amazon:

Art and Symbols Once Upon a Time – a collection of my artwork, with brief explanation of symbols  

Fairy Tales Uncovered – identifies historic elements in fairy tales, tracing their roots (also eBook)
Buy link: http://amzn.to/1fqtNIs 

Reviewer Comment:

“Fairy Tales Uncovered is a rare combination of easy to read and beautifully illustrated prose which brings extensive research of Humanity’s prehistory into today’s unwavering fascination with stories and story-telling.  The author’s erudition is cloaked in stories about stories, illuminating continuities in human development over millennia, while outlining parameters of cultural change which emphasize our progress and nurture our eternal hope.”  --  Zoe Wallis

 

Symbology: Decoding Classic Images – presents unique information about antiquity and prehistory

The Lost Unicorn – an original fairy tale with wizards, damsels in distress, and heroes of course (also eBook)

World of Symbols – eBook format of most of the information in Symbology

World of Symbols, Secrets of the Mermaids – an eBook introduction to the symbols of a lost civilization

And coming soon! Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret Life of Symbols

Look for this extraordinary volume packed full of history, symbolism, mythology, folklore, and magic. Includes glossary, timelines, and bibliography.