| Undoubtedly, the Gordian knot has become one of | | | | the possibility must be admitted that he simply found |
| the most known and most frequently used | | | | there was no way of untying the knot. |
| metaphors. It concerns an issue which is apparently | | | | In any case, the practical course of events is most |
| unsolvable, something which requires a radical and | | | | likely less important than the mystical side of things. |
| brilliant solution. However, the less known aspect | | | | For above all the mathematical suppositions and |
| concerns the actual origin of the whole legend and | | | | practical speculations, the significant aspect about the |
| the evolution of its perception in time. | | | | Gordian knot is not concerned with the material out |
| The story behind the Gordian knot supposedly took | | | | of which it might have been made, but it is rather |
| place about 400 B.C. An oracle predicted that he who | | | | concerned with the concept. The idea of finding a |
| will ride up to the city of Phrygia in a wagon will | | | | solution like that brought awe; the solving method |
| become the king of ancient Greece. A man who | | | | was controversial but efficient; though apparently |
| went by the name of Gordius fulfilled the prophecy | | | | thoughtless, some people see it more like a spark of |
| and, as a tribute to Zeus, tied his cart to the temple | | | | genius. |
| - but he didn't use just any type of knot. He used | | | | It's a clear example of thinking outside the box. |
| what later became known as the Gordian knot - a | | | | When in front of a puzzle like the Gordian knot, one |
| brilliant employment given to a piece of rope with | | | | must, ideally, exactly like Alexander, be rid of |
| apparently no end and no beginning. The (same or | | | | pre-supposed rules. He had not assumed any such |
| other) oracle foretold that whoever would be able to | | | | complicated rule; therefore he applied the simplest of |
| untie it would rule all of Asia. Needless to say, | | | | solutions. |
| numerous brave men attempted the deed - without | | | | Sacred mathematical symbols such as the Gordian |
| success. All until Alexander the Great made his way | | | | knot are no longer inaccessible concepts - or, at least |
| to the Gordian knot - and simply slashed it in half with | | | | they are not entirely inaccessible. And that's because |
| his sword. | | | | of the overwhelming benefic effects they seem to |
| Throughout history, perceptions and perspectives | | | | acquire, when worn as jewelry, upon their |
| upon the Gordian knot have been diverse. It's been | | | | possessors. |
| labeled both as a cheap cheat and as an exquisite | | | | Any symbol from the Tree of Life to the Gordian |
| example of revolutionary thinking. Suppositions have | | | | knot has a specific influence on its owner. The |
| been many, but the highest probability, as recently | | | | widespread practice of wearing such symbols as |
| proven, was as it follows: Gordius may have used a | | | | spiritual jewelry has been bringing overwhelming |
| piece of a special kind of wet rope which was later | | | | effects for years now. From the better |
| left to dry in the sun until it tightened the Gordian | | | | understanding of one's inner self to good luck and |
| knot. Alexander, on the other hand, had been a | | | | success, any aspect of one's life can be greatly |
| disciple of Aristotle, so obviously riddles of all kinds | | | | improved under the protection of such symbols. |
| couldn't have been an ultimate mystery to him. So | | | | |