Friday, April 16, 2010

Question - 469

Shown is an illustration of a biblical story. What is the etymological significance?

Answer: This is Rembrandt's painting "Belshazzar's Feast". In the Biblical story, a hand mysteriously appears during the feast and pronounces doom on the king's reign by writing on the wall. The phrase "writing on the wall" originates from this incident. Rohan, AJ, Manix, Karthik, Nemani and anon got it. Well done.

6 comments:

R said...

writing on the wall

AJ said...

The phrase "writing is on the wall"?

Kamal Rathi said...

moor's last sigh

Anonymous said...

Writing's on the wall

Unknown said...

(hand)writing on the wall

Nemani said...

This is Rembrandt's 'Belshazzar's Feast' painting. The phrase 'writing on the wall' is derived from this biblical story.