#Maltese temples

[edenesth]

[7:29 PM]

Stumbling into the shared apartment with Yeosang, you swiftly covered your mouth to suppress any whimpers upon seeing your boyfriend peacefully napping on the living room couch.

After carefully placing your heels by the shoe rack, you quietly tip-toed past his slumbering figure and slipped into your shared bedroom, closing the door behind you with utmost care to ensure he wasn't disturbed from his much-needed rest.

It was only upon reaching the sanctuary of your room that you collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming down your face as you cradled your injured arm close. It had been a horrible day, marked by a minor accident at work amidst ongoing tensions with your boss and difficult encounters with customers. Throughout the day, you struggled to keep yourself together, merely waiting for this moment to release all pent-up emotions.

As you sobbed into your pillows, the door to the room creaked open, causing you to panic. Swiftly wiping away your tears, you sat up, trying to compose yourself.

"Darling, you're back already? Why didn't you come say hi to me first, hm? I've been waiting," Yeosang's voice greeted you as he entered the cosy space, "You know you could've just woken me up..."

His words trailed off as he noticed your bandaged arm and tear-stained cheeks, "I-I'm sorry, Yeo, it's just—" You couldn't stop the sobs escaping your lips at the sight of his concerned expression, cursing yourself internally for being such a crybaby.

Hearing your anguished cries, his heart clenched, and he swiftly moved to join you on the bed. He pulled you close, showering your head with tender kisses, "Hey, hey, it's okay. What happened to your arm? Are you alright? Please, talk to me, darling."

Your sobs only grew stronger in response to his care. Nestling your head against his neck, you stuttered out, "One of my c-colleagues didn't see me approaching and accidentally s-swung her envelope opener toward me. I tried to shield myself with my arm, and that's how..." You gestured to your injured arm, feeling miserable.

"I'm so sorry, darling. Why didn't you tell me? I could have picked you up from work if I had known you were hurt. And don't try to hide it from me; I know that can't be the only reason you're upset." He whispered, his lips gently pressing against your temple as he offered a comforting squeeze, careful not to worsen the pain in your arm.

The following words that left your lips broke his heart, "I d-didn't want to burden you with something so trivial, Yeo. You're already s-so busy; my work troubles must seem insignificant compared to yours."

Drawing back a bit, he cupped your face, meeting your tear-filled gaze, "What did I tell you about thinking like that? Your problems, no matter how minor you think they are, bother me if they bother you. I never want you to keep things from me again, understand? Promise me you'll always come to me first, no matter what."

He couldn't help but chuckle when your only response to that was an adorable wail, finding your vulnerability endearing as you nuzzled your face against his shoulder once more, "Y-you're the best boyfriend ever, Yeo. I l-love you so much."

Placing a gentle kiss against your hair, he grinned softly, "I love you too, darling. More than you can imagine. Now, I want you to tell me every single thing that happened at your workplace today. I'm not usually one for aggression, but I won't hesitate to deal with anyone who dared make you cry."

With a light giggle, you pulled away slightly, "Oh, you wouldn't, you little Maltese."

You squealed as he playfully tackled you onto the bed, glad to see you lightening up and teasing again as he leaned in for a firm kiss.

"A Maltese, huh? I'll show you a Doberman."

ATEEZ Masterlist

This was super self-indulgent. I had a horrible day and ended up getting hurt in a rather similar fashion yesterday. Also wanted to show Yeosang some love after all the hate he's received for his role in my current Seonghwa series HAHA

Speaking of which, part 14 of The Way to His Heart should be out by this weekend! Hang in there, my lovelies! As always, thanks for reading and lmk your thoughts! <3

Tag list: @aurasblue @marievllr-abg @itsvxlentine @minghaoslatina @huachengsbestie01 @evidive @weedforthoughtz @minkiflwr @cheolliehugs @ho3-for-yunho @cereal-simp @itstheghostofmypast @vantediary @green-agent @sharksandminhos @writingwieny @heyitsmetonid

All Rights Reserved © edenesth // DO NOT REPOST, TRANSLATE, PLAGIARISE OR REPURPOSE.

#ateez #ateez fanfic #ateez fanfiction #kang yeosang #ateez yeosang #ateez timestamps #yeosang x reader #yeosang x you #ateez drabbles #yeosang drabble #yeosang fluff #ateez fic #ateez imagines

[ambi-kiko]

tma music tma music tma music

please reblog with your own! i need it (:

also im more than willing to elaborate on any of em, just ask! (i have much to yell about)

for bitchard, we have:

kiss me, son of god (they might be giants)

i'm gonna win (rob cantor)

blood & money (the orion experience, orion, linda XO)

ruler of everything (tally hall)

BlackBoxWarrior - OKULTRA (will wood)

community gardens (the scary jokes, louie zong)

the main character (will wood)

your body, my temple (will wood)

laplace's angel (hurt people? hurt people!) (will wood)

saint bernard (lincoln)

welcome to the internet (bo burnham)

all eyes on me (or3o)

my ordinary life (the living tombstone)

cabinet man (lemon demon)

peter x elias (for my frenchies out there <33)

marine marchande (les cowboys fringants)

ok dont judge me too much i had to have smth for them ((: plus its not that unrelated

next! martin

a better son/daughter (rilo kiley)

12 feet deep (the front bottoms)

things to do (alex g)

be nice to me (the front bottoms)

step on me (the cardigans)

heart for brains (roar)

mama (my chemical romance)

summer child (conan gray)

hello my old heart (the oh hellos)

i cant handle change (roar)

against the kitchen floor (will wood)

least favorite only child (leanna firestone)

sharpener (cavetown)

empty bed (cavetown)

life's a beach (bears in trees)

jmart ((:

no children (the mountain goats)

the moon will sing (the crane wives)

euthanasia (will wood)

as the world caves in (matt maltese)

the truth (the front bottoms)

balade à toronto (jean leloup)

doctor (jack stauber)

apocalypse (cigarettes after sex)

talk to you (ricky Montgomery)

cabo (ricky montgomery)

meteor shower (cavetown)

juliet (cavetown)

feel better (penelope scott)

would you be so kind (dodie)

two birds (regina spektor)

line without a hook (ricky Montgomery)

and jon, ofc <3 i rly dont have enough for him ):

body terror song (AJJ)

downhill (Lincoln)

montreal (penelope scott)

ramblings of a lunatic (bears in trees)

its called: freefall (rainbow kitten surprise)

chin music for the unsuspecting hero (foster the people)

love, me normally (will wood)

dinner is not over (jack stauber's micropop)

also melanie! dont have that many but she deserves the mention (:

saturn suv (fredo disco)

brave as a noun (AJJ)

tongues & teeth (the crane wives)

wreaking ball (mother mother)

we fell in love in october (girl in red)

and just random songs with tma vibes (other characters, ships, dread powers, etc)

underground (cody fry)

hand me my shovel, i'm going in! (will wood)

terry's taxidermy (teddy hyde)

cotard's solution (will wood and the tapeworms)

amnesia was her name (lemon demon)

memento mori: the most important thing in life is death (will wood)

skeleton appreciation day in vestal, n.y. (will wood)

icicles (the scary jokes)

puppet boy (devo)

oh ana (mother mother)

i dont smoke (mitski)

choke (I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME)

thermodynamic lawyer esq, G.F.D (will wood and the tapeworms)

sorry haha i fell asleep (egg)

despair (leo)

stuff is way (they might be giants)

baby teeth (baby bugs)

king park (la dispute)

i/me/myself (will wood)

dr. sunshine is dead (will wood and the tapeworms)

amygdala's rag doll (ghost and pals)

little pistol (mother mother)

burning pile (mother mother)

this is home (cavetown)

body (mother mother)

turn the lights off (tally hall)

like real people do (hozier)

im going insane

#long post #tma #the magnus archives #jonathan sims #magnuspod #jon sims #jmart #martin blackwood #martin kartin blackwood #jonmartin #jonny sims #melanie king #elias bouchard #lonely eyes

[ancientorigins]

The islands of Malta and Gozo harbor a perplexing enigma in the form of parallel lines etched deep into the stone. These ancient grooves, found notably at sites like Misrah Ghar il-Kbir, have confounded experts for centuries, resembling neither ceremonial markings nor divine directives like the Nazca lines or stone circles.

Dubbed ‘cart ruts’ their purpose remains elusive, with theories ranging from transportation systems to prehistoric irrigation or even an astronomical role. The unique depth, width, and shapes of these channels present a puzzle, raising questions about their origins and the tools used in their creation.

Linked to Malta's ancient temples, the ruts intertwine with theories about the transportation of colossal stones for construction, further deepening the mystery. Modern research delves into the morphological variability of these ruts, offering insights into their age and potential uses. Despite these efforts, the cart ruts of Malta continue to guard their secrets, leaving us with an enigma lost in the sands of time.

#Malta #stone #structure #channels #railways #tracks #rock formation

[nachoaveragejoe234]

Barbie movies settings (including mentioned places that aren't the setting of the movie)

Nutcracker and Swan Lake - Russia. Based on Russian ballets, Tchaikovsky can be seen in a picture in Clara's house, Ivan has a Russian name and accent

Rapunzel - Germany

12 Dancing Princesses - Germany. Based on a Brothers Grimm story

Princess and the Pauper - England. Based on The Prince and the Pauper, which was set in England

Magic of Pegasus - Netherlands during winter. Annika is a Dutch name and several characters, including her, wear vaguely Dutch clothing. Other places that have been theorized are Scandinavia and Russia.

Fairytopia trilogy - Portugal. Elina mentions knowing Mariposa, who's from Spain, and is "cut off from Flutterfield".

Barbie Diaries - Malibu, California

Island Princess - Italy. Names such as Rosella, Antonio, Luciana, and Ariana already tell us a lot, but the sunny weather, the characters all having tans, and some of the architecture also indicate this.

Christmas Carol - London, England

Three Musketeers - Paris, France

Diamond Castle - Europe, likely Germany/France, and/or Greece. Liana and Alexa wear stereotypically European dresses, the house looks like a traditional French cottage, but the Muses wear togas and the Diamond Castle itself looks vaguely Greek temple-ish on the inside.

Thumbelina - United States. Updated the setting and time period to the 2000s, clearly not in Denmark.

Fashion Fairytale - Paris, France

Mermaid Tale - Malibu, California

Mariposa - Spain. Also because of the accents.

Mermaid Tale 2 - Australia (the Ambassadors are however coded as Korean, African, Brazilian, and Russian), maybe New Zealand (Aquellia is implied to be near it)

Fairy Secret - Malibu, California (Gloss Angeles is another dimension)

Princess Charm School - Europe. No indication as to where "Gardania" is. However, most speaking Charm School students are from other places (Hadley is from South America, Isla is from Japan, Portia is from Scotland, and Josette is from Africa)

Princess and the Popstar - Monaco. Meribella looks like Monaco, with it's small status and how rich it is. Also Amelia mentions her grandma knowing the King of Spain.

Mariposa and the Fairy Princess - Malta. Shimmervale is "across Fairytopia", and the British accents of many people, as well as several dark haired background fairies, some with light skin, some with dark skin, a common feature of Maltese people.

Pink Shoes - United States, France, Russia (The ballet world uses Giselle, a French ballet, and Swan Lake)

Pony Tale - Switzerland

Pearl Princess - Denmark. A mermid story with some similarities to The Little Mermaid.

Secret Door - Europe (Zinnia is another dimension)

Princess Power - Europe or an alternate reality America, or somehwere in the near distant future

Starlight Adventure - Space, in the future

Great Puppy Adventure - Willows, Wisconsin

Puppy Chase - Hawaii

Rock N Royals - Europe (with campers from other European places: Sloane from Scotland, maybe her two friends are American as they resemble Dua Lipa and Halle Bailey vaguely, Aubray from Ireland, Genevieve from England, Svetlana Petranova from Russia)

Spy Squad - Los Angeles, California

Video Game Hero - United States, "Japan". Her video game is heavily Japanese inspired, with animesque characters and Nintendoesque visuals.

Dolphin Magic - Malibu, California

Princess Adventure - Europe

Lost Birthday - United States

Big City Big Dreams - New York

Mermaid Power - Malibu, California

#barbie #lore #barbie lore #barbie in the nutcracker #barbie of swan lake #barbie as the island princess #barbie as the princess and the pauper #barbie as rapunzel #barbie in the 12 dancing princesses #barbie in a christmas carol #barbie in the pink shoes #barbie: a fashion fairytale #barbie: big city big dreams #barbie: fairytopia #barbie: the princess & the popstar #barbie mariposa #barbie and the magic of pegasus #barbie and the three musketeers #barbie fairytopia magic of the rainbow #barbie mermaid power #barbie princess adventure #barbie and her sisters in a pony tale #barbie and her sisters in the great puppy adventure #barbie a perfect christmas #barbie a fairy secret #barbie mariposa and the fairy princess #barbie and chelsea the lost birthday #barbie dolphin magic #barbie video game hero #barbie starlight adventure

[lionofchaeronea]

Stone block from the prehistoric temple at Buġibba, Malta, bearing a carved image of fish. The temple was excavated by the Maltese archaeologist Themistocles Zammit in the early 1920s and dates to the Tarxien phase of Maltese prehistory (ca. 3100-2500 BCE), the last phase prior to the Bronze Age. This block, along with an altar from the temple, is now located in the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta.

#art #art history #ancient art #prehistory #prehistoric art #archaeology #Stone Age #Late Stone Age #Neolithic #Malta #Maltese art #stonework #carving #NMA Valletta

[treason-and-plot]

6.03 pm

“You have to wear your hair in an updo,” says Phoebe. “You’re going to an Awards Dinner at the Prosper Room, not a school dance at the local Scout Hall, for God’s sake.” 

Anya wrinkles her nose and turns away from her reflection in the mirror. Her sister Eva and mother Jane have invited themselves into her bedroom to check on her preparations, and Anya is beginning to feel the gnawings of a tension headache at her temples. The amount of L’Eau D’Issey that Phoebe has sprayed all over her neck and shoulders isn’t helping either.

“I won’t feel comfortable with my hair up,” Anya says. “I just want to be able to relax and enjoy myself, not worry about my hair coming undone.” 

“What about a cute little top-knot?” says Jane, her voice bubbling with excitement. Phoebe slowly turns and blinks at her, eyelids heavy with disdain.

“She’s not a Maltese terrier, Mrs. Simko,” she says.

“Well, I’m sure you know best, Phoebe,” says Jane, refusing to be offended. She is still giddy about the fact that Anya is dating Freddie ‘The Brick with Ears’ Carbone’s agent...and Anya told her that there is a definite possibility that Freddie himself may be attending the awards tonight! Jane briefly closes her eyes in rapture as she envisages Freddie’s muscled physique and gleaming smile. If Anya can get Freddie’s autograph for her tonight, her life will be complete!

#Anya #Phoebe #back to Bridgeport #5 years later #Eva #Jane Simko #sims 3 #ts3 story

[ward-malta2023]

Malta

Malta is a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Italy. It is made up of three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. With a rich history that dates back thousands of years, Malta has become a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, stunning architecture, and fascinating cultural heritage.

One of the most remarkable things about Malta is the sheer number of historical sites and landmarks that can be found there. The island is home to a number of ancient temples, including the Ggantija Temples on the island of Gozo, which are among the oldest free-standing structures in the world. Malta's capital city, Valletta, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its many Baroque-style buildings and fortifications.

In addition to its historical attractions, Malta is also known for its natural beauty. The island's coastline is dotted with gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear waters, and hidden coves just waiting to be explored. The Blue Lagoon, located on the island of Comino, is one of the most popular spots for swimming and snorkeling, thanks to its stunningly clear turquoise waters.

Malta is also a great place for foodies, with a cuisine that is influenced by the island's Mediterranean location and its long history of occupation by various cultures. Seafood is a staple of Maltese cuisine, as are pastries and sweets, such as the traditional Maltese sweet, the "mqaret."

Whether you're interested in history, culture, or simply soaking up the sun on a beautiful beach, Malta has something to offer everyone. With its warm climate, friendly locals, and stunning natural scenery, it's no wonder that this small island nation has become such a popular tourist destination in recent years.

#Malta #history #food

[fancyghosts]

2023 ~

1. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022) (01.01.2023)

2. Puss in Boots (2011) (01.04.2023)

3. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) (01.05.2023)

4. Tár (2022) (01.07.2023)

5. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) (01.10.2023)

6. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) (01.11.2023)

7. M3GAN (2022) (01.14.2023)

8. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) (01.17.2023)

9. The French Dispatch (2020) (01.20.2023)

10. The Sea Beast (2022) (01.24.2023)

11. The Maltese Falcon (1941) (01.25.2023)

12. The Fabelmans (2022) (01.30.2023)

13. Knock at the Cabin (2023) (02.14.2023)

14. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) (02.18.2023)

15. Cocaine Bear (2023) (03.02.2023)

16. Catch Me if You Can (2002) (03.05.2023)

17. The Last of Us (Season 1) (2023) (03.13.2023)

18. John Wick (2014) (03.14.2023)

19. Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) (03.16.2023)

20. Joh Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) (03.18.2023)

21. The Ten Commandments (1956) (03.19.2023)

22. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) (03.20.2023)

23. The Mummy (1999) (03.24.2023)

24. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) (03.26.2023)

25. Dungeon & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) (03.31.2023)

26. The Super Mario Bro. Movie (2023) (04.08.2023)

27. Air (2023) (04.09.2023)

28. The Owl House (Season 3) (2023) (04.12.2023)

29. Renfield (2023) (04.18.2023)

30. The Mandalorian (Season 3) (2023) (04.19.2023)

31. Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel (2022) (04.20.2023)

32. Van Helsing (2004) (04.21.2023)

33. Shrek Forever After (2010) (04.29.2023)

34. Cool Hand Luke (1967) (05.02.2023)

35. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) (05.04.2023)

36. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) (06.02.2023)

37. The First Wives Club (1996) (06.02.2023)

38. Ted Lasso (Season 3) (2023) (06.08.2023)

39. The Flash (2023) (06.15.2023)

40. Somewhere In Queens (2022) (06.16.2023)

41. Mid90s (2018) (06.20.2023)

42. Elemental (2023) (06.22.2023)

43. Asteroid City (2023) (06.28.2023)

44. Nimona (2023) (06.30.2023)

45. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) (07.02.2023)

46. Every Body (2023) (07.05.2023)

47. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) (07.16.2023)

48. Little Shop of Horrors (1986) (07.17.2023)

49. Barbie (2023) (07.19.2023)

50. They Cloned Tyrone (2023) (07.29.2023)

51. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) (07.30.2023)

52. Theater Camp (2023) (07.31.2023)

53. Oppenheimer (2023) (08.02.2023)

54. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) (08.05.2023)

55. Heartstopper (Season 2) (2023) (08.09.2023)

56. The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) (08.11.2023)

57. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) (08.12.2023)

58. Adventure Time (Season 3) (2011) (08.21.2023)

59. Gran Turismo (2023) (08.26.2023)

60. What We Do In The Shadows (Season 5) (2023) (09.02.2023)

61. My Best Friend’s Exorcism (2022) (09.04.2023)

62. Bottoms (2023) (09.05.2023)

63. Adventure Time (Season 3) (2011) (09.18.2023)

64. Ikiru (1952) (09.26.2023)

65. Booked (2023) (09.30.2023)

66. Unforgiven (1992) (10.03.2023)

67. Ahsoka (Season 1) (2023) (10.03.2023)

68. Sleepy Hollow (1999) (10.12.2023)

69. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) (10.13.2023)

70. The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) (10.25.2023)

71. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) (10.28.2023)

72. Haunted Mansion (2023) (10.31.2023)

73. Our Flag Means Death (Season 2) (2023) (11.04.2023)

74. Midnight Mass (2021) (11.13.2023)

75. Grey Gardens (1975) (11.14.2023)

76. The Holdovers (2023) (11.23.2024)

77. In the Heat of the Night (1967) (11.28.2023)

78. The Killer (2023) (11.30.2023)

79. Bend It Like Beckham (2002) (12.05.2023)

80. The Boy and the Heron (2023) (12.10.2023)

81. Feast of the Seven Fishes (2019) (12.24.2023)

82. Porco Rosso (1992) (12.25.2023)

#only original post on this blog every year #films i've seen

[xtruss]

Why “The Stolen Kohinoor Diamond” Won't Make An Appearance At King Charles III's Coronation

— May 4, 2023 | By Lauren Frayer

The Kohinoor diamond, set in the Maltese Cross at the front of the crown made for Britain's late Queen Mother Elizabeth, is seen on her coffin at London's Westminster Hall. Camilla, the diamond in her coronation crown, but will modify Queen Mary's crown, using diamonds from Queen Elizabeth II's personal collection. Alastair Grant/AP

LONDON — Of all the glittering British crown jewels, one will be conspicuously absent at King Charles III's coronation: the Kohinoor diamond.

Legend has it the 105-carat diamond — whose name means "mountain of light" in Persian — was found on a bank of the holy Krishna River in southern India at least 800 years ago. From there, the story goes, it spent centuries hidden inside a golden statue at a Hindu temple.

It passed through Mughal, Persian, Afghan and Sikh empires before ending up in the hands of Queen Victoria in the mid-19th century.

Along the way, people came to believe it was cursed. Calamity is said to have struck many a male royal who wore it. One strapped the diamond to his bicep. Another folded it into his turban. Most met grisly deaths — murdered, betrayed, defeated.

Photograph taken during the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, pictured with their children, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and Queen Mary of Teck. Universal History Archive/Getty Images

So it's thought that only women — especially queen consorts — can wear the Kohinoor safely. Elizabeth, the wife of King George VI, wore it to her coronation in 1937, and again to her daughter Elizabeth II's in 1953. (There is no known record of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the diamond).

According to tradition, King Charles III's wife Camilla would be the next to wear the jewel at this weekend's coronation ceremony. But she will wear a different crown, one with 2,200 smaller diamonds.

Camilla and Charles attend Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse. Samir Hussein/Getty Images

That's because the Kohinoor has become a focus of anti-colonial anger. India wants the diamond back.

And it's not alone. So do several other nearby countries — including Iran and Afghanistan — whose own royals and rulers, over the centuries, possessed the diamond. For now, though, the British royal family has no intention of parting with the giant gemstone.

The museum where it's kept on display, in the Tower of London, is a popular destination for South Asian tourists.

"I've learned my best swears in front of the Kohinoor, in three different languages," says historian Anita Anand, the coauthor of Kohinoor: The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond. "Every time you bring someone over from India or Pakistan, they just swear at it! Swear at the fact that it's here."

After Queen Elizabeth died last year, the Indian government said it has repeatedly raised the issue of repatriating the Kohinoor with the British government.

And this winter, Buckingham Palace made an announcement: The royal family had decided to leave the controversial gem out of the coronation ceremony for Charles and Camilla.

For now, it remains locked in the Tower of London, advertised as a "symbol of conquest" — firmly on British soil.

The crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (1937), made of platinum and containing the Kohinoor diamond and other gems. Tim Graham/Getty Images

A Diamond the Size of a Coconut

Centuries before humans began mining diamonds deep underground, gems were only discovered after working their way up to the Earth's surface. And one of the places they seemed to do that most was the area of the Golconda alluvial mines, in southern India.

That's where, 800 or so years ago, someone went to take a bath in the Krishna River and apparently stumbled upon the biggest diamond then known in the world. Legend has it that it was the size of a coconut.

"People used to go to the rivers and take baths, and there were no soaps or cosmetics at the time, so they used the wet clay next to the riverbanks and applied it to their bodies," explains Mohan Devarapalli, 32, who gives Kohinoor-themed tours in southern India. "So while [collecting] the clay, they found the diamond."

They considered it a gift from the holy river and took it to their rulers, the 12th century Hindu kings of the Kakatiya dynasty. At the time, India was full of warring states, and the kings needed to keep their diamond safe.

So they hid it in plain sight — inside the eye socket of a large golden statue of the Hindu goddess Durga, in a temple that's still in use today, on the edge of a lake in the modern-day city of Warangal. One eye was glass, the other was diamond. But they looked identical.

"One of the [goddess'] eyes was the diamond, which no one knew — except the kings — because it looked like glass. Even the priests, they would not have known it," Devarapalli says. "It was a top-secret place to hide the diamond."

It worked — for a couple of centuries, at least.

The Diamond Becomes an Object of Violent Conquest

Rumors spread about this giant diamond guarded by a goddess. And when the Kakatiya dynasty was vanquished, around the 14th century, invaders from the north pillaged all the temples in the region and captured the gemstone.

"It's the nearest thing to the ring of power in Lord of the Rings. Whenever it goes, it stirs up anger, greed, murder and bloodshed!" says historian William Dalrymple, Anand's coauthor.

Experts have confirmed from the diamond's geology that it did come from the Golconda area of southern India.

The opulence of Shah Jahan's court was a marvel in 17th century India. The Mughal emperor embedded the Kohinoor diamond in the Peacock Throne, his seat of power. Pictures from History/Getty Images

"But beyond that, its history is enormously disputed," Dalrymple says. "There's almost no record of it until it's on the top of the Peacock Throne, which is built in the 1640s by Shah Jahan, who's the same guy who built the Taj Mahal."

By the 17th century, much of India had been conquered by Muslim emperors, known as the Mughals. One of them, Shah Jahan, embedded the diamond in the Peacock Throne, his seat of power — which eventually was captured by another warlord with a weakness for diamonds.

"An Iranian leader called Nadir Shah defeats the enormous Mughal army. From Iran, [the diamond] then enters the hands of Ahmad Shah Abdali, who is the founder of Afghanistan," Dalrymple explains. "So the Afghans feel equally strongly that this is their stone."

Around this time, the diamond came be known as the Kohinoor. It was also around this time when legends of curses started to mount.

"In Indian astrology, a pure man without sin — a great man — can wear a diamond without a problem. But anyone who is flawed, or any diamond which is flawed, can bring terrific bad luck," Dalrymple says. "This whole mythology of cursed diamonds actually begins in Indian astrological texts."

By the time the British arrived on the scene — first as the East India Company in the 17th century, and then as colonial rulers — the diamond was only worn by women.

That suited Queen Victoria just fine.

A Colonial Gift For Queen Victoria

In the mid-19th century, British diplomats befriended a 10-year-old Punjabi Sikh prince, the Maharaja Duleep Singh, who'd inherited the Kohinoor. They took the boy's diamond as part of an 1849 treaty marking the end of the second Anglo-Sikh war — and presented it to Queen Victoria. She wore it in a dangling bracelet, and later had a giant brooch made to hold the diamond, which she wore to sit for a famous portrait.

That loss of the Kohinoor is still felt — memorialized — in India to this day.

Ruins of the historic Golconda Fort on the outskirts of Hyderabad in southern India. Experts have confirmed that the Koh-i-noor diamond came from the Golconda area. Majority World/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

In a sound-and-light show for tourists at the 11th century Golconda Fort in the southern city of Hyderabad, where the Kakatiya kings once ruled, the recorded voice of Bollywood's biggest star, Amitabh Bachchan, extolls the Kohinoor's brilliance and bemoans where it is today.

"The Kohinoor is still in Britain. This is just a replica," Bachchan's voice bellows in the darkness, as a giant hologram of a diamond is projected onto one of the fort's walls.

Tourists shake their heads.

"The British never apologized about anything," says Saudamini Sharma, 25, touring the fort. "They're the ones who came and tried to, you know, quote unquote 'civilize people.' But civilized people don't steal — don't take away stuff and never return it."

India's Claim To The Kohinoor

There are growing calls to return the Kohinoor. But to where? Over the centuries, it's been held in what is now India, Pakistan, Iran and Bangladesh. Even the Taliban claim it's theirs.

From the return of Jewish art looted by the Nazis to colonial artifacts in British museums, Western governments in recent years have started to address questions of ownership of archaeological and cultural heritage. A London museum recently returned the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. Greece is asking the British Museum to return the Elgin Marbles.

Benin Bronzes are displayed in Berlin in 2022. Germany returned 22 of the looted objects to Nigeria in December. A London museum is also returning Benin Bronzes. Michael Sohn/AP

But the U.K. government and royals have rarely commented on the Kohinoor. In 2010, then-Prime Minister David Cameron, asked about it on a trip to India, said returning the diamond would set a dangerous precedent for British institutions.

"What tends to happen with these questions is that if you say yes to one, you suddenly find the British Museum would be empty!" Cameron told New Delhi Television. "I think I am afraid to say, to disappoint all your viewers, it is going to have to stay put."

Meanwhile, the British sell tickets (currently, about $37 for adults) to see the Kohinoor — and have done so since 1851, when the diamond was the star attraction at the World Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London.

Re-cutting the Koh-i-Noor diamond, 1852. Universal History Archive/Getty Images

It was for that exhibition that the British royals had the diamond cut down — lopped off at least 85 carats. The diamond had already been whittled down from its legendary coconut size over the centuries, as part of efforts to eliminate imperfections or possibly even steal parts of it. In Victorian Britain, the taste was for "brilliant" cut diamonds, which required a reshaping of the gem to refract more light.

"To Indians, it's actually a perfect, perfect metaphor for what India went through: It was reshaped and re-cut and diminished into something that suited a British palate and British needs," Anand says.

"We [in Britain] don't really learn about the history of empire! It's painted as if it's something very long ago, not really interesting — and yet it shapes the world we live in today," Anand says. "It's always glimmered in my life. If you are a British Asian, you know about the Kohinoor."

Last year, India and Pakistan celebrated 75 years since winning their freedom from the British crown. But for many, the story is incomplete as long as the British crown still has their diamond.

— NPR.Org

[postersdecinema]

Paixões em Fúria

EUA, 1948

John Huston

8/10

O Fim de Uma Era

Famoso pelas suas excentricidades e rebeldia John Huston foi responsável por algumas das obras mais importantes da década de 40, estreado-se na realização, aliás, com a obra prima do film noir que foi The Maltese Falcon.

Neste Key Largo consegue mesmo subverter o género, usando dois dos seus atores mais representativos, Humphrey Bogart e Edward G. Robinson, mas dando-lhe uma dimensão dramática e psicológica, quase teatral, que extravasa as características do noir.

Na verdade este filme é mais um drama psicológico do que um film noir. Johnny Rocco é um mafioso complexo, que tenta corresponder às expectativas da sua fama, mas demonstra fragilidades óbvias, como as mulheres, o medo da tempestade, o trauma do declínio e do exílio. Também Frank McCloud está longe dos clichês do veterano herói de guerra, que faz frente a tudo com a sua valentia. Ele hesita, está cansado de violência, sabe que nunca acabará com todos os Johnny Rocco do mundo, exerce a sua função de herói, mas contrariado, como quem cumpre uma obrigação que não deseja.

Até a tempestade tem uma função dramática importante no filme, atuando quase como um coro grego, anunciando a tragédia de Rocco e expondo as fragilidades de todos.

O filme contém ainda uma critica social à perseguição dos índios. Como Temple bem refere, quanto mais tenta ajudá-los, mais contribuí para a sua desgraça. O fatalismo do indígena, numa sociedade dominada pelo colonizador.

Um filme importante e antológico, da época e da carreira de John Huston.

The End of an Era

Famous for his eccentricities and rebelliousness, John Huston was responsible for some of the most important works of the 1940s, making his directorial debut with the film noir masterpiece The Maltese Falcon.

In Key Largo he even manages to subvert the genre, using two of its most representative actors, Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson, but giving it a dramatic and psychological dimension, almost theatrical, that goes beyond the characteristics of noir.

In fact this film is more of a psychological drama than a film noir. Johnny Rocco is a complex mobster, who tries to live up to the expectations of his fame, but he demonstrates obvious weaknesses, such as women, fear of the storm, the trauma of decline and exile. Also Frank McCloud is far from the clichés of the veteran war hero, who faces everything with his courage. He hesitates, he's tired of violence, he knows he'll never get rid of all the Johnny Roccos in the world, he plays his role as a hero, but reluctantly, as someone fulfilling an obligation he doesn't want.

Even the storm plays an important dramatic role in the film, acting almost like a Greek chorus, announcing Rocco's tragedy and exposing everyone's weaknesses.

The film also contains a social critique of the persecution of the Indians. As Temple well points out, the more I try to help them, the more I contribute to their misfortune. The fatalism of the indigenous, in a society dominated by the colonizer.

An important and anthological film, from the time and career of John Huston.

[limitlessmalta]

I'm incredibly excited to be leaving for Malta tomorrow for my internship. The thought of exploring a new country and culture, meeting new people, and gaining valuable work experience all at once is truly exhilarating. I can't wait to immerse myself in all that Malta has to offer and make the most of this opportunity.

Malta is a unique and fascinating country with a rich cultural heritage. Its strategic location in the Mediterranean has made it a hub for trade, migration, and cultural exchange for centuries. The Maltese people have their own distinct language and customs, and their cuisine, music, and architecture reflect a blend of influences from Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Some of Malta's most notable cultural sites include the ancient Megalithic temples, the medieval city of Mdina, and the stunning baroque architecture of Valletta, the capital city. Overall, Malta is a captivating destination that offers a wealth of cultural experiences for visitors to explore.

#excited #malta #internship

[juphanie]

Re: last pic

The ancient man-made subterranean catacombs of Malta, make up an artificial tunnel system first built in prehistoric times. This vast network of tunnels connects temples, dwellings, sanctuaries and ancient rock-cut graves for the dead, all carved underground out of solid stone. While catacombs are prevalent throughout the Mediterranean world, the Maltese catacombs include a unique characteristic which isn't found anywhere else. Known as agape tables or triclinia, these unusual elements have been the subject of archaeological debate for decades.

[sunwukongssuccessor]

Question: If your three LMK fanfics had theme/opening songs what would they be? Set The Grief Aside Sacred Temple? More Like Shame Temple The Shadow's Secret

Okay, sorry for answering this so late. Legit couldn't think much of songs that fit the vibe except for the Corrupted!Wukong fic (which its title is literally taken from a lyric of a song) I did finally figure out a couple songs for each fic, but it's more so going to vibes so don't overanalyze on the lyrics but who knows, my subconscious might be onto something

Set The Grief Aside: As the World Caves In by Matt Maltese (this is the song that inspired the fic's name) and Guns for Hire by Woodkid

Sacred Temple? More Like Shame Temple: Don't Stop (Colors on the Walls) by Foster the People and Tongue Tied by Grouplove

The Shadow's Secret: Coming of Age by Foster the People and Love Stuck by Mother Mother

#Fic Asks

[tlonista]

Blood and Blue Diamonds: Chapter 8 Notes

Whoops sorry, now I’m writing The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, Chinatown and also Nightmare Alley.

Fortunately Nightmare Alley (the original ‘40s version, not the remake, with no shade to Guillermo del Toro whom I dearly love) is a strong contender for my favorite noir film of all time. It’s an amazing movie -- along with Todd Browning's Freaks, one of the great carnival/circus films -- and everyone should watch it, and not just because it stars a criminally hot young Tyrone Power.

It’s an extremely passing reference, but Nordicism was a strain of the Nineteenth and early Twentieth century’s specious yet obsessively detailed ethnic hierarchies, going hand-in-hand with the US's surge of white supremacist and anti-immigrant ideology in the '10s to '30s. None of this plays an extensive role in the fic and it’s certainly not directly depicted in it, but there’s a reasonable chance you’re aware of America’s history with pseudointellectual bigotry and California was ground zero for that stuff. It's the kind of thing that, if one was '30s LA's equivalent of Arcane's nastily classist aristocrats, one was eminently likely to sympathize with.

The Temple of Zaun grew out of the fact that tattooed women in ‘30s America were overwhelmingly associated with circus acts, and Jinx generally comes from a Harley Quinn-style carnivalesque tradition. The “lost continent of Zaun” conceit was inspired by Mu, a supposed sunken continent described in a series of books in the early 1930s, and to a lesser extent Atlantis, Lemuria, and similar lost cities/continents that had a significant hold on the public imagination.

People used to just love making up fake continents! Unfortunately a lot of this was also fueled by the racist impulse to posit an ancient cradle of civilization filled with white people. But it’s more along the lines of things like Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos, which has been pretty thoroughly rehabilitated by modern culture.

Anyway, if the place was going to be linked with chembarons (spoiler for the guy who looks like Finn, I guess), I needed to hook it into organized crime, which is where the bookie operation comes in. Off-track horse betting via wire services was a huge criminal enterprise in the ‘30s, since many states had just legalized betting at racetracks for "damn it's the Great Depression, we need money" reasons.

Basically, by breaking the laws designed to keep gambling classy and profitable for states, bookies in poolrooms could offer better odds and slot-machine-esque serial gambling where people just rolled over their money into race after race. (A significant percentage of the entire telephone network was devoted to transmitting horse race results during this period.) I’m relying on John Buntin’s very entertaining LA Noir for much of the background, as well as David Clary’s gambling law history Gangsters to Governors.

This is getting really long, but in final notes: despite being a major port city now, Los Angeles only really got one around the 1900s and 1910s after a bitter fight over whether it was going to be in Santa Monica or San Pedro. The latter won after a publicity campaign from the LA Times's owners, who positioned it as a huge moral issue and totally not a hustle that would make their other businesses even more money. It was not a huge moral issue.

#arcanoir

[abookishdreamer]

Character Intro: Dione (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nicknames- Didi by Aphrodite

Hot Mama by Ganymede

Madame Trouble by Artemis

Age- 36 (immortal)

Location- Cyprus, Olympius

Personality- Dione is larger-than-life. She loves grabbing attention-leading with her body & sexuality. Much like her daughter, at times she can be vain, shallow, vindictive, and immature. She’s currently single.

Her powers/abilities include florakinesis, minor amokinesis, moisture absorption, and limited precognition (the ability to see into the future). She also has the standard abilities of a goddess except shapeshiting.

She lives in this beautiful beach house in the state of Cyprus-the signature colors being red, hot pink, silver, and magenta. She also has a penthouse apartment in the Chant du Cygne neighborhood of New Olympus. There's nude photographs of her all over her place, which Euphrosyne (grace of joy) shot. Dione has several pets (all of them dogs) including chihuahuas, malteses, bichon frises, toy poodles, & shih tzus. Dione's thinking about building a mansion of her own in Dodona.

She's the mother of Aphrodite (goddess of love & beauty). The two of them are very close- more best friends than a traditional mother/daughter relationship. Their relationship is also very intense- they've had great times as well as explosive arguments. She doesn't allow her daughter to address her with any form of the word "mom"- feeling like it "ages" her. They both agreed on "Didi." The two have matching white gold plate name necklaces.

She has been a frequent cover model for Zeus' gentleman magazine.

Dione is polyamourous. She's had many, many lovers, but her favorite has always been the god Pan. A former "friend with benefits” was Zelus (god of envy, jealousy, & zeal). She also almost hooked up with Atlas (Titan god of strength & endurance). Dione was the first woman Zeus had ever slept with. It's rumored that her first lover was Ouranos before being usurped by Kronos. She currently has a secret crush on Záchari (god of confectionery). Dione has only confided in Kéfi about this.

Staples in her closet include skin-tight sheer bodysuits, backless dresses, high waisted jeans, and super tall high heels. The higher, the better!

Dione is friends with Aisa (goddess of lot & fate), Clymene (Titaness of fame & renown), Eudaimonia (goddess of happiness), Hesperis (goddess of the evening & sunset), Maia (the eldest of The Pleiades), Rhapso (goddess of sewing), Elpis (goddess of hope), Leto (Titan goddess of demurity & motherhood), Neicus (god of debate & appeal), Aethra (an oceanic nymph); ex-wife of Atlas mother to The Hyades, Bronte (goddess of thunder), Enyo (goddess of war, destruction, bloodlust, & devastation), Hybris (goddess of insolence, hubris, & reckless pride), Pagoniá (goddess of ice), and Astrape (goddess of lightning) respectively. Dione has also been a bit friendly with the Titan goddess Rhea. Her BBF squad are the mothers of The Graces- Aígli (goddess of glamour); mother to Aglaia, Panigýri (goddess of festivals); mother to Thalia, and Kéfi (goddess of mirth); mother to Euphrosyne. Dione finds Charis (goddess of charm) annoying.

She's currently not on speaking terms with her younger sister, Philotes (goddess of sex, friendship, & affection). It's gotten as far as Dione not even having a relationship with her nephew Himeros (god of impetuous love). Dione also doesn't think much of her sister's husband Priapus (god of fertility, vegetable gardens, livestock, sexuality, & masculinity).

Dione is fluent in French and Cypriot.

Her favorite treat is chocolate covered strawberries!

She's been recently awarded with a star on the Pantheon Walk of Fame. She also has a temple built in her honor in Dodona.

Her favorite frozen treat is the Cocktails on Ice’s red raspberry chardonnay ice cream.

Dione loves the Glory's Crown hydrating hibiscus line of products, including the styling mousse & dry shampoo.

Her go-to drink is the love potion #9 martini (a drink made with strawberry vodka, peach schnapps, & grapefruit juice). She also loves cosmopolitans, mojitos, white wine, champagne, mimosas, and rosé wine! Her usuals from The Roasted Bean is a large iced strawberry latte and an olympian sized iced tea.

She jokingly calls herself a "champion twerker."

Dione has a successful lingerie brand (Delicious Xtasy) as well as a shoe brand (atelier fantaisie)- that's famous (or infamously) known for their skyscraper length heels! She's also planning to release her debut fragrance! For other work, she sometimes models for her daughter's La Petit Amour fashion brand as well as her Swimsilk swimwear line. She also models for Megaleio, No.3 & Co, Hot Intoxication, & Maison du Drame. She's also a frequent writer of Zeus' magazine as well as her daughter's magazine Kytheiria. As for her personal endeavors, Dione's been thinking about releasing her own signature fragrance!

She has been quoted saying (and bragging) to have the biggest softest butt in the entire pantheon! 

She absolutely hates tattoos and eccentric piercings.

Dione was gifted the candy apple red croc leather Megaleio handbag from her daughter for her birthday. It cost nearly 600,000 drachmas!

In her free time she enjoys clubbing, shopping, going to the spa, sunbathing (in the nude), surfing, and of course her favorite physical activity- sex. She also moonlights as a stripper for fun (being a frequent performer at her daughter's strip club as well as Dionysus'). Dione also sometimes teaches pole-dancing classes on the weekends- open to all adults.

Cooking (and anything else domestic) isn't exactly her forte, but she did come up with her comfort food dish- pink macaroni. She's taught her daughter & Peitho (goddess of persuasion & sensuality) how to make it. Her go-to fast food order ffrom Olympic Chef is buffalo wings (drizzled in blue cheese dressing and tzatziki sauce), large cajun fries, & a large chocolate shake.

"Looking good can be the best armor!"

#my oc #my oc character #my character #oc character #oc intro #character intro #oc introduction #character introduction #modern greek gods #modern greek mythology #greek myth retellings #greek goddess #greek goddesses #greek mythology #greek pantheon

[jasmines-library]

As the World Caves In

Summary: As the temple is reduced to ruins, two jedi seek a forbidden comfort in each other.

Warnings: ANGST, death, order 66.

Note: This isn't specified who this is about, I thought i'd leave it up to interpretation. This can be read as an x reader fic if you'd like. Ib: As the World Caves In by Matt Maltese.

Word count: 566

“Execute order 66”

Her feet ache, and the sirens scream loudly all around her. The weapon is heavy in her hand, what was once now an extension of her body, her life, is now almost useless.

Her head aches as she tries to keep up with the blur of friendly fire, now turned against her. The stench of death is everywhere and the force is screaming at her to get to safety, yet she knows she can’t. She knows her fate is inevitable. Her saber swings endlessly at the rain of blaster fire, a whirlwind of green against the plasma bullets. A bead of sweat rolls across her brow, she doesn’t know if it’s from running or from the flames that blaze around the temple. She turns, her gaze landing on the familiar face of her friend, their saber casting a soft glow over the features. For a moment, despite the chaos she is encased by their beauty, eyes locking onto theirs and a small smile creeping onto her face. They nod, casting a reassuring glace to her before returning to deflecting the shots. The two jedi fight side by side, struggling for their lives and those around them. The temple is nothing but the ruins of fear and anger. Blood, fire and anguish claw at the room as the blaster fire from their once friends becomes heavier and their movements become strenuous. An uneven beat pounds on the floor as they stagger towards the hangar in hope of some form of relief. It happens in slow motion. She is startled by a cry of pain and an aching deep in her heart. The jedi who was once fighting closest to her side is now clutching her stomach in pain, her weapon discarded on the floor next to her knees. The other jedi calls out for them, turning back, her saber clasped firmer in their hands, deflecting the shots determined to save her friend. There are more shouts of pain, these not from the jedi but the clones. She was now using her anger to channel the force. A fatal bolt of hot plasma pierces through her skin and she collapses to the ground next to her friend. The cold, hard wood of the floor is soothing under her body as she lays there helpless. A tear slides down her cheek. Her eyes lift to meet the solidaries of her friend’s. They too are crying but their lips are turned up into as much of a smile as they can manage. It’s comforting.  She studies their face, taking in each of their features, much like she used to do when they were merely just young padawans. Like she did from afar when she thought no one was looking. They both knew it was forbidden, an attachment like this, yet with their world collapsing around them, it seemed insignificant. Her fingers brush softly against theirs as she reaches out. “I love you,” she whispers softly, linking her hand through theirs “We’ll see each other again. I promise,”. They receive no reply, just a soft squeeze of a hand and another smile. It wasn’t much, yet it was all she needed. As they lie there, hands intertwined, it seems like it is them. They don’t take any notice of anything going on around them, they just lie there. And as they welcome death, they are no longer alone.

Masterlist

#im sorry #i hate myself too #star wars x reader #star wars #star wars fanfic #jedi #order 66 #angst #i was just in a silly goofy mood