Did you ever wonder whether the Washington Monument was an obelisk? Well, as obvious as it is, it has a sister in Buenos Aires, Argentina where a structure that is identical is simply called El Obelisco.
Perhaps it should be stated that it is not a sister but brother considering that the obelisk is a phallic symbol. Not sure about that either. Well, let the Argentines elucidate as they once draped the giant phallus with an giant condom—get it now?
As an FYI: el Obelisco was erected in 1936 AD—hold it, hold it: did you ever notice that we refer to the building of, the raising of, phallic structures as erected?
El Obelisco drapped in a condom
2,500 ft South East from El Obelisco is the the “Manzana de las Luces,” which Google’s map has as “Illuminated Block.” Note that “manzana” is used to mean city block but also means apple. No, biblically Eve did not eat an apple; she ate a “fruit.” But many, such as Apple Computer’s Steve Jobs, use the image of an apple to represent that fruit. His company’s logo celebrates the fall into sin, rebellion against YHVH.
On Argentina’s government website for this block area they display a quote from Guillermo Furlong S.J. who stated: La Manzana de las Luces es el centro del saber en todos los órdenes y la cuna de toda iniciativa cultural.
The Illuminated Block [apple] is the center of knowledge/learning of every order and the crib of all cultural iniciatives.
In case you missed it, Furlong is an “S.J.” which means Society of Jesus which means that he is a Jesuit. Here is some more info: La misma fue historicamente…sede de instituciones de gran envergadura e importancia al quehacer histórico, cultural, educativo y religioso del país.
The very same was historically…headquarters of instructions of grand wingspan [seem to be meaning something like scope and reach] and importance to the nation’s historical tasks, culture, education and religion.
Una de sus más destacadas características es la presencia aún hoy misteriosa y enigmática de una red de túneles construídos entre los siglos XVII y XVIII. Formaban una red que unía de manera subterránea las iglesias, los edificios públicos y el Fuerte.
One of its most notable features is the presence, still mysterious and enigmatic, of a network of tunnels built between the 17th and 18th centuries. They formed an underground network that linked churches, public buildings and the Fort.
Infinitas son las preguntas que podrían hacerse. El misterio muestra sólo uno de sus rostros. Se aventuran hipótesis sobre el destino que se les daba en la época de la colonia. ¿Quién habrá sido el que ideó su construcción? ¿En qué momento fueron excavados? ¿Con qué motivos? Aún hoy el tema no está claro. Hay algunos historiadores que han negado su existencia, mientras muchos otros han tenido oportunidad de visitarlos y estudiarlos.
Infinite are the questions that could be asked. The mystery only shows one of its faces. Some venture hypotheses about the fate [the purpose] that was given them at the time of the colony. Who could have been the one who devised its construction? At what point were excavated? What reasons? Even today the issue is unclear. There are some historians who have denied their existence, while many others have had the opportunity to visit and study them.
On the side facing south, in its base in a very small rectangle, this sonnet written by Baldomero Fernández Moreno during a tribute dinner in the Alvear Palace Hotel to Prebisch:
El Obelisco ¿Donde tenía la ciudad guardada esta espada de plata refulgente desenvainada repentinamente y a los cielos azules asestada?
Where did the city have this hidden/guarded gleaming silver sword, suddenly drawn to the blue skies and erected/placed as if being hammered in?
Ahora puede lanzarse la mirada harta de andar rastrera y penitente piedra arriba hacia el sol omnipotente y descender espiritualizada.
Now a look can be thrown/one can throw a look, tired of crawling/creeping and penitent, rock/stone up toward the Sun omnipotent and descend spiritualized. Translation is made all the more difficult when it comes to poetry, so another way of saying it is:
Tired of crawling/creeping and penitent, now one can look towards the high stone, towards the sun, omnipotent, and descend spiritualized.
Rayo de luna o desgarrón de viento en símbolo cuajado y monument índice, surtidor, llama, palmera.
An Moonbeam or tearing wind monument filled with symbolism; index, supplier, flame, palm.
La estrella arriba y la centella abajo, que la idea, el ensueño y el trabajo giren a tus pies, devanadera.
The star above and the spark below, the idea/ideal, the dream, and the work turns at your feel you winder/spinner.
Check out the slide show for accompanying images.