The Vision of the Empyrean and the White Rose

Dante's final vision of the celestial court, the White Rose of the blessed, and the glory of God.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The River of Light

The Transformation The River Dante sees a river of light flowing between banks of flowers, with sparks (angels) diving in and out. Beatrice tells him to drink from it to understand. The Rose After drinking, the river becomes a circular light, and the sparks become the White Rose of Paradise, with the blessed seated in tiers.

The Structure of the Rose

The Heavenly Stadium The Ranks The Rose is divided into two halves: those who believed in Christ before his coming (Old Testament saints) and those after (New Testament saints). The seats are arranged in a circular amphitheater. The Empty Throne Beatrice points out an empty throne prepared for the Emperor Henry VII, who will come to reform Italy. She laments the corruption that opposes him.

Beatrice's Departure

The Farewell The Throne Beatrice takes her seat in the Rose, leaving Dante with St. Bernard. Dante prays to her, thanking her for his salvation. The Smile Beatrice smiles at him from afar, then turns to the eternal fountain. Her role as guide is complete.

St. Bernard's Explanation

The Teacher The Orders St. Bernard explains the arrangement of the Rose, pointing out the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, Adam, and other patriarchs. He describes the hierarchy of the blessed. The Children He notes that the lower rows contain children who were saved by the faith of their parents or by baptism. Their different degrees of glory are due to their innate capacity for grace.

The Prayer to the Virgin and the Final Vision

The Beatific Vision Bernard's Prayer St. Bernard prays to the Virgin Mary, asking her to grant Dante the vision of God. Mary intercedes, and Dante's sight is purified. The Trinity and the Incarnation Dante sees three circles of light, representing the Trinity. Within the second circle, he sees the human form of Christ. His desire and will are turned by the love that moves the sun and the other stars.

In the Empyrean, after leaving the Primum Mobile

In the Empyrean, after the transformation

In the Empyrean, after showing the Rose

In the Empyrean, after Beatrice's departure

At the end of the poem, in the Empyrean