These ladies (probably visitors and their tour guide) posed in front of Alma Mater, a 106-year old statue located in the center of the Columbia University campus.  This 12-foot bronze statue is a well-known college symbol.  Rich in imagery, the sculpture sits in an ancient-Greek styled chair, with her arms stretched outward.  She holds a scepter, full of symbols, in her right hand.  The arms of the chair are formed into lamps, which symbolize Wisdom (Sapientia) and Teaching (Doctrina) and an open Bible rests on the sculpture’s lap.  The sculptor, Daniel Chester French (who also carved the marble statute of Abraham Lincoln’s body on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.),  was an avid taxidermist.  If you look closely enough, you’ll find an owl hidden in the folds of the Alma Mater’s robe.

I’ve noticed that the sculpture has appeared in a few movie location scenes.  Three that come to mind are Ghost Busters, Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2.  Does anyone remember seeing Alma Mater in any other movie location?

Paz

Ed. Note:  In response to a couple of comments, the owl is NOT obvious in the photo.  You’d have to look closely at the sculpture, in person, to find it or you’d have to look at a close-up photo of the hidden owl to spot it.   In the comments section, ET has included a link for a tip on how to spot the owl.

Tanita, in the comments section, has accurately pointed out that the literal meaning in Latin of "alma mater" is "nourishing mother".  It’s a common term for the college that one attends, so everyone who’s attended college has an alma mater.  However, in the case of the Columbia University sculpture, Alma Mater also happens to be the name of the statue. 

I didn’t mention a legend about the sculpture before, which is that the first Columbia student in the freshman class to spot the hidden owl would graduate as Valedictorian.  Back in the day when Columbia was an all-male college, the legend was that the first freshman to find the owl would marry a Barnard (an all-female college affiliated with Columbia)  woman.

Lastly, I got mixed up with the days and forgot that TODAY was Thursday.  As a result, I forgot to post a Motion Thursday photo.  I hope to remember next Thursday.  

Thanks for all your comments, everyone.