The bird, the symbol of the air, is twice repeated.

Fire — His very expression of face shows you the terrorizing effect of fire.  He holds his hand in the flame.  The lightning plays on his right arm.  Across his figure passes the salamander, the fabled reptile of the fire. (See the real salamander in the Japanese concession on the Zone.)

Water — The bellowing ocean with mouth agape lies on the tossing waves, thru which sport the dolphins.

Ocean, the king of the waters, carries the trident.

On his head and in his hands the kelp is seen.

The elements are by Robert Aitken of New York, formerly of San
Francisco.

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The Human Side of the Court of the Universe

All is now ready for man.

In the center of the Court of the Universe was to have been Daniel French’s Genius of Creation, but if it is not there, we must not lose the great dominant note of this Court, so pass thru the Triumphal Arch of the Orient, thru the beautiful Aisle of the Rising Sun, across the Court of the Ages, out thru the next aisle, to the plaza in front of Machinery Palace in order to follow the story.

Here on the boulder sits the great Spirit (not a man you will notice).  The hood is drawn far over the face so that a certain idealism is produced — a great spirit with wings and arms raised.

Wisdom (the serpent) encircles the throne.

The arms of the creating spirit have just been raised, the word has just been spoken and splendid manhood ready to meet the world, with modest, helpful woman, just come forth.  The hands touch at the back of the group, causing you to feel that man and woman are mutually dependent.

Return to the Court of the Universe.

Now, look up at the Triumphal arches and notice Leo Lentelli’s Angel of Peace with its downturned sword.

“Let there be peace throughout the world.  Turn down the sword,” it says.

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A night of illumination should follow your work and you can then read under the searchlights the words on the right upper corner of the Oriental Gateway —

“Our eyes and hearts uplifted
Seem to rest on heaven’s radiance.”

(From Hitomaro, the Japanese poet of the 8th century, A. D.)

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Your scene is shifted for a short time.

You have passed into the Court of the Ages for a retrospect (upon the human side).

The primitive people are to be seen here on the Fountain of the Psychology of Life.  Don’t try to see everything in detail now, for you can come back later.

Just realize this, that the small group facing west in the fountain is The Dawn of Life, then comes Natural Selection which develops into The Survival of the Fittest, or The Development of the Militant Spirit.

This early period shows man working strongly under the power of impulse.  Vanity, lust and greed seem to dominate his actions.  On these primitive people pass thru life.  You can see them if you look up on the Tower.  On they march, in that upward climb of civilization.