Reading the Markers

I propose the markers seen on some images of the Voynich Manuscript contain information on how to read the images, and that they are specifically placed for this purpose. It has long been held that the images contain unreadable sentences, which are indicated by marks such as this on where they begin/end. I alternatively suggest that these guide marks (which from now on I refer to as “markers”) are in fact indicators that mark events, directions, times and that some of the other fixtures in the images such as people also do this.

I suggest greater (main) markers on an image indicate main event and lesser marks indicate directions and lesser details. I also suggest this varies for each page and what may be a lesser marker on one page may be a greater marker on another, for example what appears to be a lesser marker (b) in relation to other markers (a) on f67r appears to be a major type of marker (c) on f57v and the lesser marker on f57v just a single line (d).

f58r, cropped, Voynich Manuscript, MS 408. Credit: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Line overlay by P. Han showing eye markers.

I propose human figures can indicate direction; by the way they face, point or indicate.

f85v, cropped, Voynich Manuscript, MS 408. Credit: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Line overlay by P. Han showing figure markers.

The example on figure f. shows people indicating cardinal directions and direction of view i.e. all looking in one direction. Note the finger also pointing which is found on other images as well. The image (g) below shows an example of different types of markers on the page put together.

f85v, cropped, Voynich Manuscript, MS 408. Credit: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Line overlay by P. Han showing various markers.

f70r, cropped, Voynich Manuscript, MS 408. Credit: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Line overlay by P. Han showing division markers.

The rosettes page is a very complicated example and whether it should be considered that each marker would apply to its own rosette only or goes across the whole image to form what almost looks like a nautical map is unknown. The markers are often not precisely drawn and lines extended from them may be slightly varied depending how they are lined up.

f86v, Voynich Manuscript, MS 408. Credit: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Line overlay by P. Han showing markers (position of actual markers indicated by circles).

In conclusion, I propose that although the images themselves give an “indication” of what is going on the markers hold the key to “accurately” reading the information within the images by indicating a network of lines that hold this information. I show examples of using the markers this way within my own theory but others may find this way of reading the markers fits other theories better.