The Throwing-Top
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Throwing-Top
Scripture Reference:
- Proverbs 3 (further images / scripture text)
Description: Next to a city inn, a boy is about to throw his top to make it spin; next to him one friend is in the process of winding the string around his top and a second friend watches his spinning top. Another top that has finished spinning lies on the ground. In the background, a couple comments on this scene. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem (it was etched by Pieter Sluiter [1675-1713]) and for the accompanying poem (below). The attendant Scripture references are Proverbs 3:1-3; 6:20-23; and Matt 7:24-27.
Motto:
The Heart wrapped in string,
Becomes alive.
Poem:
The Throwing-top, encircled by a cord,
And thrown down from the hand,
Is experienced like a living Thing,
To the delight of the childish mind:
So must God’s String encircle the Heart,
Then in the hereafter it will live Eternally.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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