That apparently is the “common thread” expressed materially. It originates from the top, “heaven”, runs past the man’s head and then runs through the patterns of all the garments before returning up the other side of the man’s head to whence it came. The immaterial or psychic representation of the common thread is symbolized by the lighted candles. The idea of a common thread is profound given the many disparities present in the composition. Vertical versus horizontal, with each having a male and female element. This resonates with the four directions, N, S, E and W. And four colors: black and white, yellow and red. It is interesting the figures are clothed in garments predominantly of a hue represented by the figure opposite. This would put the colors in the proper geographical proximity. White for the snowy north, black for the rich soil of the Nile, yellow for the rising sun in the east and red for the setting sun in the west. The composition exhibits a quaternity which is a symbol for the wholeness of physical existence. So everyone, no matter where they are from share a common experience of the sublime.