T and O map

As a cycling map, in a special form TO- map, a circular representation of the medieval world view is called.

According to the Bible (and also ancient sources ) the known world was introduced to " the globe " ( O shape ). Since the work was carried out by monks, such representations are also called monk cards.

The presentation refers to a passage of the scholar Isidore, Bishop of Seville (c. 560-636 ):

" Orbis a rotunditate Circuli dictus, quia sicut rota est [ ... ] undique enim Oceanus circumfluens eius in circulo ambit fines. Divisus est autem trifarie: e quibus una pars Asia, Europe altera, tertia Africa nuncupatur ".

" The [ earth ] county is named after the roundness of the circle [ ... ] That's why the ocean flowing around these converts in fron of a circle. He in turn is three times divided. Of which is called a part of Asia, the other Europe, the third Africa "

The cards are almost always always faces east (east is up), in the upper part are Asia and usually also the paradise in the center of Jerusalem, and shown in the lower part of Europe and Libya (Africa). These three then-known continents are arranged by T-shaped waters ( Don, Mediterranean and Nile) flows around the outside and separated from the " world ocean ". The letter T, tau at the same time, the symbol of the universe. Such cards are referred to as TO- card.

Frequently they were inserted as small text illustration in the Psalter. With the Crusades from 1100, however, the contents of the map larger, and correspondingly larger depictions were created.

Famous bike maps are the Ebstorfer world map and the world map of Andreas Walsperger.

Cyclecard " According to Isidore of Seville " from Jean Mansel, La Fleur des Histoires, handwriting, Valenciennes, 1459-1463

Cycling map from Isidore of Seville Etymologiae, first edition Günther Zainer, 1472

Scheme according to Meyers encyclopedia, 1888 revised ( always faces east, as in the Middle Ages)

Fra Mauro's world map of 1459