Etymology is fascinating. The word “art” has an interesting history, though I may make associations that seem more entertaining than concrete. You’ll soon discover that the more you read my blog (if you continue), the more you’ll think I’m spinning endless yarns. I’m not going to try to convince you otherwise. If you’re at all compelled, then keep reading.

In Middle English, as a subject, art is defined as: quarter of the heavens, point of the compass. Artou evolved into art thou, or are you. How art became separated into a noun for creative works and a verb for representing a state of being (are) is a mystery I may not be able to solve – but I am going to try.

If art is a quarter of the heavens or point of the compass, then we can see how it might have evolved from Cartography: the science of drawing maps. Artem in Latin was defined as a craft or a skill, likely derived from the Greek goddess Artemis, who ruled wild animals, hunting, vegetation, childbirth, chastity and the moon. 

This brings me to another possible connection, which maybe only I see as relevant. The legend of King Arthur. Whether or not Arthur is a fictional character or a real person doesn’t impact the cultural impression. The legend states that King Arthur led the Britons into battle against the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th & 6th Century AD. Considered a tragic figure in regards to his untimely fate and betrayal, there is a mythology surrounding Arthur as the memory of an ideal leader.

Arthur tries his best to be a good ruler and upholds values like chivalry when he forms The Knights of the Round Table. He is idealized for this reason. Arthur intends to assemble the bravest and noblest knights in a fellowship whose mission was to care for those who had been disempowered. Women in particular were protected.

There are various sources on how many knights were members of this elite group. 12 is the common number, but some sources say it was anywhere from 150 to 1300 knights. It would be a lot easier to find a table to seat 12 than 150. Potentially, there were 12 core members and then a larger association of ever growing numbers.

Fairies, dragons – a world not dissimilar to “Game of Thrones” or “The Lord of the Rings” is the backdrop of Arthurian Legend, though perhaps this is why scholars associate it more with fantasy than fact. “The Mists of Avalon” was a popular novel set in Arthur’s realm. Several of my Wiccan female friends in high school were obsessed with the author’s portrayal of feminine archetypes. Mystical, wild and romantic are words that leap to mind.

Merlin (yes, the wizard) was a key member of The Round Table, heralding The Golden Age of the British Isles by divining Arthur as the rightful king of Briton. While defeating the Anglo-Saxons during his reign, the Saxons did triumph after Arthur’s death, hence renaming the country England. Arthur was betrayed by his followers and family who conspired against him, including his wife Guinevere and his best knight Lancelot, who fell in love, had a legendary affair and made Arthur a cuckold.

Tying this back in with the myth of Artemis, both Arthur and Artemis represent the majesty of the wild and pastoral world; of chastity and honor. Both warriors in their own right, and oddly, both connected to bears. The bear was sacred to Artemis, and the Welsh Arth “bear” + wr “man” (Arthwr) is the origin of “Arthur”. Not sure where I’m going with this yet.

The constellation Ursa Major (also known as “The Great Bear”) is located in the Northern Hemisphere and identified by the asterism of its seven main stars that make up what has been called “The Big Dipper”. Following along the curve of the handle of The Big Dipper, you will locate the giant fixed star Arcturus (also close etymologically to Arthur) at the corner end of the Bootes constellation.

Many civilizations throughout the world have identified Ursa Major as having major importance in the sky. Arcturus is exceptionally bright for a fixed star and accentuates the tail of The Great Bear. The bear symbolizes immortality. Prominent kings across the globe associated with Ursa Major were considered guardians of the Holy Grail. The Big Dipper is, in fact, the definitive celestial Holy Grail, representing a large cup or chalice.

As a star 100 times brighter than the Sun in visible light wavelengths, Arcturus was used by prehistoric Polynesian sailors as a navigational guide. Called the “Star of Joy”, Arcturus would appear directly overhead when sailing towards the southeastern shores of Hawaii.

Since Nicolas Copernicus didn’t coin Heliocentrism (the Sun at the center of the solar system) for another 1000 years after King Arthur’s tale, we could argue that the Arthurian mythos was developed in centuries posthumous; eulogizing the more cosmically enchanted model of the universe. Though less scientifically advanced, our distant ancestors saw the night sky as magically intermingled with life on earth. With the Sun at the center of the Universe, themes of conquest, self-hood and the concept of identity began to dominate the psychological and cultural landscape.

If both Artemis and Arthur represent abundance, wild nature and protection, the Sun as the “ruler of all” diametrically opposes such tenets. Colonialism, war and ownership – these are the biproducts of a Sun-centric ideology. Disenchantment in philosophy is defined by the demystification of the world: predictable, rational and intellectualized. “Art” has been devalued culturally for this reason. Magic and mysticism have as well.

The 12 knights of the round table are interpreted as the 12 signs of the zodiac residing around Arcturus (and, of course, the Sun). Arthur, along with Merlin, created an ideal society based on civility and compassion. A respectable keeper of the realm, Arcturus/Arthur is the unbiased protector of all.

Whether or not I can prove that all of this relates to the etymology of “art” is probably worthy of more research than a blog post, but I hope you found this brief journey interesting. If “art” can be defined as a skill, a craft, a quarter of the heavens and a point of the compass, we know too that it describes our connection to the present.

Perhaps the word art references a simple, bright star who guards an archetypal symbol of fertility and protection: the wide cup of The Grail. The mighty bear can hibernate in winter and emerge strong as ever, even after 6 months without food and water.  All of these symbols depict the resiliency of life.

Artists see the world differently – sometimes as a means of reconfiguring Ideologies. We turn to art for protection against tyranny and oppression. We turn to art to connect us with the heavens; with creation; with compassion; with love; with God.