ABSTRACT
The center, the heart of ancient maps depicts the known world, often with an accuracy deemed remarkable by scientists of today who work with the aid of computers and satellite transmitters. Yet, there was and will always be the unknown. The original cartographers would indicate the unknown world around the edges of the map with pictures of beasts, creatures, dragons, and leviathans. Four large mouths blow forth the power of the wind, at whose mercy the mariner arrives or departs, sails or drifts, lives or dies. The uroboros, the snake coiled, tail in mouth is poised in the unknown, bidding and discouraging the explorer of the future.
