therevelationpainting.com

The Four Horsemen Scene III

The White Horse

Taken from the Aramaic Bible translation

Revelation chapter 6
   2. And I looked and there appeared a white filly,* and the one riding on it has a bow, and a wreath was given him, and he emerged* to conquer wherever he may conquer.

6:2*Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "And I saw and there [became] a [young female] horse white."

The first difference in translation can be easily seen, it is “a filly”, where other bibles note the translation to be simply a white horse.  Although technically a white filly is a white horse but the femininity is important here, otherwise it would not have originally been written that way.  I found myself searching for the ancient meaning of riding a young, [white], female horse compared to riding a muscular, male, [white] horse especially since this rider was given so much power.  It seemed contradictory for one given the power to conquer.  This is what I found:

 Mares (female horse) were the best mounts for raiding parties, as they would not nicker (a horse's sound) to the enemy tribe's horses, warning of their approach. The best war mares exhibited great courage in battle, taking the charges and the spear thrusts without giving ground. Speed and endurance (not becoming exhausted easily, not quitting) were essential as well,…

From:  Part IV: Battlefield Strategies and the Use of Animals in War

http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/war/Battle.html

Most other bibles claim the rider of the white horse was given a bow and a crown.  What is the difference in a wreath and a crown?  The crown signifies (according to ardictionary.com/Crown/14960)

Definition: A wreath or garland, or any ornamental fillet encircling the head, especially as a reward of victory or mark of honorable distinction; hence, anything given on account of, or obtained by, faithful or successful effort; a reward.

An interesting fact about a wreath throughout time as far back as the ancient Romans and Pagans as a sign of victory for the Romans and representation of the continuation of the circle of life for the Pagans. Its circular shape represents eternity; it has no beginning and no end.  Would the wreath represent more that victory or power?  Could it possibly mean that the white horse will always go forth conquering for eternity with the power given him to do so?  I found that in the Christian perspective the wreath represents an unending circle of life.   Jesus was said to have been wearing a crown of thorns when he was crucified.

For The White Horse in The Revelation Painting, an Arabian, white filly is used.  Although the horse is further back in the scene, an air of femininity will be evident in her stance and the face.  Her eyes will be crystal blue and her skin underlying pink.  She will be technically an albino, white Arabian horse although most white Arabians that I researched have underlying black skin.  I had read once that a typical mistake made with albino horses is that a true albino has pink skin, not black.  Although her eyes should be pink due to the lack of pigment in albinos, the pink/red eyes are reserved for The Pale Horse.  My love for making unusual, realistic eyes is limited here with only the four horses.

See the video of a frisky, white filly going forth faithfully to conquer.  She has unsurpassed spirit!

http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/uxhjWIsuJCU-brbaja-arabian-horse.aspx