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The blue rose has long been referred to by horticulturalists as the "Holy Grail" of the plant breeding world. Now what is being described as the world’s first genetically-modified blue rose is about to hit flower shops in Japan.
藍玫瑰一直被園藝專家們視為育種界的「聖杯」。但現在一種被形容為全球第一種經過基因改造的藍玫瑰即將出現在日本的花店裡。俞智敏
Arts | 13.08.2008
Bayreuth Exhibition Traces Myths of Parsifal's Grail
Parsifal's search for the mythical Grail is not just a topic for Wagner operas. The legend has inspired artists and musicians in many cultures, as a Bayreuth exhibit explores.
When Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Khan raised the German Soccer Cup trophy recently, he also celebrated an ancient myth. The trophy, formed like a golden chalice, reflects the legendary Holy Grail and the triumph of the young hero Parsifal.
"The Holy Grail is sort of a universal symbol in European history," said curator Sven Friedrich, director of the Richard Wagner Museum where the grail exhibit is currently on display. "The chalice is an archetypical symbol of longing and redemption that is still triggering people's imagination."
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: A modern Parsifal in the sports arena
The most famous version of the Parsifal story is probably Richard Wagner’s opera which premiered in Bayreuth in 1882. In the story, the grail gives life and sustenance to the brotherhood of grail knights.
Wagner based his version on a 12th century story by Chretien de Troyes and Wolfram von Eschenbach's "Parzival" written in 1210. Wagner's opera became so successful that it gave rise to a worldwide boom in grail symbols.
The magic chalice
The Bayreuth exhibition traces the many different versions and sources of the grail myth. The mythical chalice -- in some versions it takes the form of the stone of the Wise Men that can work miracles -- can be found in many cultures, including Indian, Arabic or Celtic legends. In the Celtic Artus saga, the knight Parsifal sets out to search for the grail to find redemption.
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Grail opera requisite from Bayreuth
In Christianity, the grail is seen as the cup that Jesus Christ drank from at the Last Supper. During the crucifixion, it was used to store his blood, hence the idea that the Holy Grail bestows magical forces and eternal life to those who drink from it.
Young Parsifal in Richard Wagner's opera is rather naive. "He has a long way to go in his quest for wisdom, reflecting a deep human need," said Sven Friedrich. In different times, this quest has been interpreted in a variety of contexts.
Of course, the show also features a section on Wagner and Wagnerism, with the composer seen as a modern prophet and festival visitors on a sort of pilgrimage.
Nazis employ Wagner saga
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Hitler was a frequent visitor to Bayreuth
The National Socialists used the ancient myth for political purposes. To the Nazis, the grail legend symbolized the idea of a pure Germanic identity and redemption by means of racial exclusion.
Model plans for a "grail temple" planned by the Nazis at Wewelsburg, which are on display in the exhibit, reveal how the Nazi ideology perverted the symbol of the grail.
"Mankind hasn't changed much in the very basic facts," said Friedrich, "and of course, even if we don’t know, we are looking for the grail in our times too."
Indiana Jones as Modern Parsifal
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Harrison Ford searches for grails and other magic gadgets in the Indiana Jones Filmes
George Lucas' Indiana Jones films present just one version of a modern Parsifal. And the many books, films and computer games where the grail is a subject show that the legend is very much alive today.
Friedrich said he thinks the saga answers a human need. "In this time of secularism, everyone seems to be looking for an individual, personal religion," Friedrich said. "Every individual puts together various symbols and myths to form a very special, individual sort of religiosity."
"Who is the grail?" is the question asked by the young hero Parsifal in the Wagner opera before he sets out on his long journey. That is also the title of the exhibition.
One universal answer is offered at the end of the exhibit: the visitor peers over a stone wall into a well, and sees -- his own reflection. Clearly, a symbol like the golden chalice can be an aid in the quest for the inner self.
"The Holy Grail is sort of a universal symbol in European history," said curator Sven Friedrich, director of the Richard Wagner Museum where the grail exhibit is currently on display. "The chalice is an archetypical symbol of longing and redemption that is still triggering people's imagination."
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: A modern Parsifal in the sports arena The most famous version of the Parsifal story is probably Richard Wagner’s opera which premiered in Bayreuth in 1882. In the story, the grail gives life and sustenance to the brotherhood of grail knights.
Wagner based his version on a 12th century story by Chretien de Troyes and Wolfram von Eschenbach's "Parzival" written in 1210. Wagner's opera became so successful that it gave rise to a worldwide boom in grail symbols.
The magic chalice
The Bayreuth exhibition traces the many different versions and sources of the grail myth. The mythical chalice -- in some versions it takes the form of the stone of the Wise Men that can work miracles -- can be found in many cultures, including Indian, Arabic or Celtic legends. In the Celtic Artus saga, the knight Parsifal sets out to search for the grail to find redemption.
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Grail opera requisite from Bayreuth In Christianity, the grail is seen as the cup that Jesus Christ drank from at the Last Supper. During the crucifixion, it was used to store his blood, hence the idea that the Holy Grail bestows magical forces and eternal life to those who drink from it.
Young Parsifal in Richard Wagner's opera is rather naive. "He has a long way to go in his quest for wisdom, reflecting a deep human need," said Sven Friedrich. In different times, this quest has been interpreted in a variety of contexts.
Of course, the show also features a section on Wagner and Wagnerism, with the composer seen as a modern prophet and festival visitors on a sort of pilgrimage.
Nazis employ Wagner saga
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Hitler was a frequent visitor to Bayreuth The National Socialists used the ancient myth for political purposes. To the Nazis, the grail legend symbolized the idea of a pure Germanic identity and redemption by means of racial exclusion.
Model plans for a "grail temple" planned by the Nazis at Wewelsburg, which are on display in the exhibit, reveal how the Nazi ideology perverted the symbol of the grail.
"Mankind hasn't changed much in the very basic facts," said Friedrich, "and of course, even if we don’t know, we are looking for the grail in our times too."
Indiana Jones as Modern Parsifal
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Harrison Ford searches for grails and other magic gadgets in the Indiana Jones Filmes George Lucas' Indiana Jones films present just one version of a modern Parsifal. And the many books, films and computer games where the grail is a subject show that the legend is very much alive today.
Friedrich said he thinks the saga answers a human need. "In this time of secularism, everyone seems to be looking for an individual, personal religion," Friedrich said. "Every individual puts together various symbols and myths to form a very special, individual sort of religiosity."
"Who is the grail?" is the question asked by the young hero Parsifal in the Wagner opera before he sets out on his long journey. That is also the title of the exhibition.
One universal answer is offered at the end of the exhibit: the visitor peers over a stone wall into a well, and sees -- his own reflection. Clearly, a symbol like the golden chalice can be an aid in the quest for the inner self.
The exhibition at Bayreuth's Margrave Opera House is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm and runs through Aug. 31. For more information, click on the link below.
charm
(chärm) pronunciation
n.
The power or quality of pleasing or delighting; attractiveness: a breezy tropical setting of great charm.
A particular quality that attracts; a delightful characteristic: A mischievous grin was among the child's many charms.
A small ornament, such as one worn on a bracelet.
An item worn for its supposed magical benefit, as in warding off evil; an amulet.
An action or formula thought to have magical power.
The chanting of a magic word or verse; incantation.
1 [C][U]魅力, 魔力；((〜s))（特に女性の）容色, 色香；愛きょう
physical charm
肉体的魅力
the charm of his writing style
彼の文体の魅力
fall (a) victim to her charms
彼女の美しさのとりこになる.
2 チャーム：腕輪・鎖などにつけて身につける飾り物
a charm bracelet
チャームのついた腕輪.
3 （…に対しての）お守り, 魔よけ；まじない；呪文(じゅもん)((against ...))
a good luck charm
幸運のお守り
chant a charm
呪文を唱える
wear a charm against bad luck
不幸よけのお守りを身につける
be under a charm
おまじないで守られている.
4 ((〜s))((米俗))金, 銭.
5 《物理学》チャーム：クォークの性質の一つ.
Holy Grail：
名詞，傳說中耶穌在最後晚餐中所使用的聖杯，小寫時常指極難找到或取得的東西。例句：Sustained nuclear fusion is the holy grail of the nuclear power industry.（持續核融合是核能工業最終極的目標。）
chalice
noun [C]
1 in Christian ceremonies, a large, decorative, gold or silver cup from which wine is drunk
2 in magic, a cup representing the element of water
chalice：(1) 聖爵：行祭使用的聖爵，裡面的葡萄酒經祝聖後成為基督的血。(2) 苦爵：象徵耶穌的苦難（瑪廿六42；若十八11）。拉丁文稱作 calix。
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