The Elements of Eden

One of the more difficult bridges to cross in understanding Dante's vision of Eden in Purgatory is the purpose of the events that Dante sees take place. Keep in mind that the elements function as a complex series of symbols that represent important elements in the salvation of the soul. Dante's journey at this point is what prepares him for journeying in heaven. Likewise, Dante hopes that his reader who has to puzzle out the allegory will also grow in understanding, so that we too may be someday prepared for heaven.

(Canto 27)

Element	Meaning
Wall of Fire	sanctifying purification
Dream of Leah and Rachel	reflection on the active and contemplative vocations
[Virgil's (mistaken?) crowning of Dante]	either the perfection of natural reason without grace, or natural reason's inability to see the need for grace
Thus, Dante must undergo purification from his old life. This is true whether one served God as a monk (contemplative) or as a more active servant.

(Cantos 28-29 -- not in our reading) --

But it illustrates in an interesting way Dante's thoughts about the supports we all need in a life
that follows God:

Element	Meaning
Dante meets Matilda	active vocation in its unfallen state
Matilda speaks of the Abundance	life as an unfallen order of Eden
Matilda tells Dante the Golden Dream	confirmation of poetic calling of the Classical poets was Eden
The Pageant of the Divine Life 7 Candlesticks	The Mystical Church of God
7 Bands of Light	God's Creation
24 Elders with crowns of fleu-de-lis	The Old Testament Saints with lives of purity
4 Living Creatures	The Gospels
2 Wheeled Chariots	The Divine Economy of Salvation
7 Women -- 3 by one wheel, 4 by the other 3 Women: one in white one in green one in red	The Theological Virtues Faith Hope Charity
4 Women: all dressed in purple, one has three eyes	The Cardinal Virtues Prudence, which sees past, present, future
7 men 2 Aged Men	Luke -- The Acts of the Apostles Paul -- The Pauline Epistles
4 Humble Men	James, Peter, John, and Jude -- The General Epistles
1 Old Man in a Dream	The Apocalypse
Thus, Dante needs the Church, the Scriptures, and the Virtues to be perfected. And all of it centers around the person and nature of Christ.

(Cantos 30-31)

Element	Meaning
The Entrance of Beatrice dressed in green	The unfallen contemplative life and the virtue of hope
Beatrice's Rebuke	hope opposes presumption
The Angelic Choir's Hymn	mercy for the broken-hearted
Dante's confession	recognition of sin
Matilda baptizes Dante in the waters of Lethe	the removal of the memory of sin
Beatrice's eyes reflect the Griffon	contemplation of the two natures of Christ -- human and divine
The Dance of the Cardinal Virtues The Dance of the Theological Virtues	Christ brings sanctification to the repentant
The Eyes and Smile of Beatrice	The Beauty of Hope

Dante learns that hope for salvation prepares one for the radical mercy of God and the removal of one's sin. It is only in Christ, who is both fully God and fully human, that he can be saved.

(Cantos 32-33)

Dante experiences a vision of the flowering and corruption of Christianity.
Beatrice prophecies the eventual deliverance of the Church.
Matilda leads Dante to drink of the waters of Euroi which represents the memory of past good deeds.