"Plus Ultra"

Portrait of Charles V -- 1519 (Woodcut)
By Albrecht Dürer. After Hans Weiditz the Younger


Again, the jaw is quite prominent. But I discuss this more for the symbolism found in this print. First, it's dated 1519, Charles V ascended into the Spanish throne in 1517. Technically he was just Carlos I. His appointment and the crown as Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire would come later 1520. On the top are the three coats of arms. The middle one, with a double-headed black eagle, that's the Hapsburg coat of arms-- from the paternal side. Now the other two are the standards of Naples and that of Castile-Leon, the kingdoms he inherited from his mother's side. Grabe sa pamana!

Below the coats of arms is the representation of two Pillars of Hercules, which, according to Greek mythology, were built by Hercules himself near the Straits of Gibraltar to mark the edge of the world. The pillars bore the inscription "Nec plus ultra" (also Non plus ultra, "nothing farther beyond"), serving as a warning to sailors and navigators to go no farther. When Charles V became king of Spain, this was changed to "PLUS ULTRA" (Further Beyond) -- The idea was to encourage the king to ignore the ancient warning and to take risks, surpass himself and go "further beyond." It subsequently became the motto of Habsburg Spain and was featured in the Spanish dollar. An inspiration to their mariners and explorers to go to the farthest part of the earth.

But the word written in this wood print is translated into German. "NOCH WEITER". The artist Albrecht Durer was German.

Magellan did go further beyond, "plus ultra"..."noch weiter" and stumbled upon our islands. Think about that!

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