WHAT DOES THE URN MEAN?

 If you live in Europe, you've probably run across statues on walls. Many here seem to frolic with companions, but others are more somber. This male figure is holding an urn on his shoulder on the facade of this apartment building.

I looked up "What do urns mean?" and came up with this, from Wiki:  "

What The Urn Means

In a sense, the urn is a symbol of beauty. Our earthly remains will be concealed and preserved, represented by timeless elegance of the urn’s design. During the neocalssical period, the earliest of urns displayed anient Greek and Roman scenes depicted in art and jewelry design. The urn could be shaped in anyway or form as the name is derived from the Latin root “uro” which meant “burn”.

Moreover, in many cultures, the urn is a symbol of death. It is believed by many religions that the body is turned into dust as the spirit floats away towards God. The draped urn emphasizes this symbolism as it denotes the death of a person. When the shroud drapery denotes a dearly departed soul to heaven in relation to the shroud dressed over the body, the drape symbolizes the separation between life and death and guards the sacred contents of the urn. When an urn rests on top of a column or tomb, it often is a representation of the mourning depiction. In early design from Neoclassicism, the urn depicts the mourner interacting with the urn. The urn in this depiction represents the loved one.

MONDAY MURALS---Interpretation?

 We all know who this is.  Written in the blue part in Cyrillic was originally BRAT (in Cyrillic BPAT) in gray letters.  BPAT (BRAT) means 'brother.'  Many older Serbs, and quite a few of the young, feel strong brotherhood ties to Russia, since, for example, both many Serbs are Orthodox, as are many Russians, and Russia liberated Serbia from German control after WWII.

Someone with a paint brush painted over the original B in BPAT, leaving PAT, which means 'WAR' and painted sunglasses on you-know-who, with blood dripping from his eyes.

Not a cheerful mural, but it is what it is.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

SKYWATCH--the morning after the lunar eclipse

 We all know there was recently a partial lunar eclipse, so I hiked down through empty streets at 3 a.m. that morning to photograph the moon. I am glad I stuck around until almost dawn to catch this photo of the early morning sky on the Danube.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

PICKING LINDEN BLOSSOMS

These two ladies are only a few of the linden blossom pickers that descend on linden trees when they are in full bloom (the trees, not the ladies....).  I posted about the marvelous linden trees not quite one year ago, and you can read about them RIGHT HERE.

Their fragrance is wonderful. Also, I just noticed one lady is wearing flower blossom trousers. 

SISYPHUS in the 21st century

If you're not familiar with the myth of Sisyphus, here is what Wikipedia says:  "In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was the founder and king of Ephyra. Zeus punished him for cheating death twice by being forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll down every time it neared the top, repeating this action for eternity."

This fellow has it much easier than Sisyphus:  he's got clothes, a tiny boulder, a wheelbarrow, and a flat surface.

 

EACH TO HIS OWN

 This elaborate home is located in an older section of building, but is  not old itself. It stands on Mica Popovic street and is allegedly owned by some politician who somehow got a permit to  build such a monstrosity.

But, each to his own. Behind it rises a modern structure.

For you info, MICA POPOVIC was  a very successful painter and film maker.

MONDAY MURALS---Nikola Tesla

 While darting through a dark passage, I came upon this mural of  NIKOLA TESLA, Serbian-American mechanical and electrical engineer, and futurist.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

SKYWATCH--LOOK! AN AIRPLANE!

 For sure this fellow has more compelling comments than "Look! An airplane!" to relate to his date.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

GOING HOME AFTER THE MOSQUE

 Making their way home from the mosque. (The sign reads Vishnjichev Passage, and is the entrance to a building on Vishnjicka Street.)

NO BENCH TO SIT ON, SO...

 ...so he found himself a nice cool place on the lawn.  And he's READING, not looking at his phone, rare sight these days.

BUBBLES, BUBBLES

I seriously love bubbles. I sometimes  buy a plastic container of bubble liquid and sit outside and blow bubbles.  It is so relaxing.  I get a lot of stares, but have met some fun people, adults and children, and dogs that way.

MONDAY MURALS--Coffee, anyone?

 Many of us are coffee drinkers. Some like their coffee weak, some strong,  some decaffeinated, some with cream and sugar.

Not sure what  this girl is offering, but given her size, there's a lot of  coffee in that cup.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--pretty, but not good

 Had coffee with a friend the other morning in a new place.  Really pretty red cups and presentation, but the coffee left a lot to be desired...

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

SKYWATCH--empty streets

 This photo was taken on May 1st, International Workers' Day. Not a soul around; all off for a long holiday combined with Serbian Orthodox Easter, which preceded this holiday.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

MORE STREET MUSICIANS

 More street musicians today, but  not as cheerful as Josip was in yesterday's post!

JOSIP, THE STREET MUSICIAN

 Say hello to Josip, a super cheerful musician in Kalemegdan Park.

BIG DOORS, SMALL DOG

 Spotted in Vladimirovac, Serbia, town where the INFAMOUS BABA ANUJKA lived.

MONDAY MURALS--street musicians

 Spotted on a cafe wall in Vladimirovac, Serbia.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--at KFC

 I took this lady's photo through the window of Belgrade's Kentucky Fried Chicken. She seems very deep in her thoughts.

See other reflections on James'  WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

SKYWATCH--THE DANUBE AT DUBOVAC

 DUBOVAC (DOO-bo-vahts) is about a 1.5 hour drive from Belgrade. Calm and beautiful, it is also deadly quiet and the town has only one restaurant and NO cafe, much to my disappointment.

This scene shows where I released the baby turtle I almost stepped on that I showed you yesterday.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

RIVER-LOVING POND TURTLE

 Today a friend and I took a drive to the riverside village of Dubovac, about 1.5 hours from Belgrade. Not a lot there, but we did a walk along the river. I almost stepped on a 'leaf' on the dusty road up the river bank, but upon closer observation saw that it was a (very) baby turtle. Here's a pic of the little fellow/gal. I am a big turtle lover, but knowing it would be happier with Mother Nature, I returned the wayward turtle to the quiet water area next to the river where it happily swam off. I've looked it up and it seems to be a European Pond Turtle...who likes rivers. If anyone knows for sure, let me know. I have a couple of other photos.

Its nails are nicer than mine, but my skin is better.

MAY 1ST STROLL

 In many countries across the world, May 1st was INTERNATIONAL WORKERS' DAY.  No exception here  in Serbia, and there were a few gatherings downtown yesterday. Here are two elderly people who are just enjoying a stroll.

THEME DAY--SHADOWS

 The very tall chestnut tree behind me cast is shadow on the lamp post.

See other shadows on CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY.