BARBERINI

The other family I would like to bring into the story before concluding ‘THE GAME’ is the Barberini family. Their stemma is three bees, and the stemma is seen all over Rome. Originally the family name was Tafani—horseflies—and therefore the seal originally was composed of those malicious insects. Since it was felt to have bad connotations, they decided to change the family name, and to replace the more malevolent insects with bees; after all, bees have always been a symbol of hard work, dedication, and eloquence. Furthermore, honey is a metaphor of the sweetness of the divine word and of glistened gold.

There is a famous saying often repeated in Rome: Quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini, or rather, ‘what the barbarians did not do, the Barberini did.’ Specifically, the turn of phrase refers to Urban VIII Barberini’s decisions to ‘vandalize’ the Pantheon by taking the bronze from the Pantheon’s portico and melt it down and use the bronze to manufacture cannon, and for Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s use for the gigantic bronze canopy (Baldacchino) standing directly under the dome of St Peters. The design includes not only spiral columns and tassles crawling with bronze bees and more bees!  

Despite their errors and misdeeds, however, the Barberini were also great patrons and protectors of the arts, having also taken under their wings not only Gian Lorenzo Bernini, sculptor and architect, but also the other great baroque architect, Francesco Borromini and painter/architect, Pietro da Cortona.

CONCLUSION:

If one understands the concept and accepts the mix and match approach, one can walk Rome or any Italian town and begin to know their stories. The coded language decoded is key to playing ‘The Game.’ Crests and symbols transformed into architectural and sculptural elements be they friezes, capitals, paving, fountains, or standing proud and marking entry will always inform, and impress and bring a new level of awareness and meaning to Italy and Rome’s incredible story. Play the game of visuals and have fun!