Amazons
When the three women tell Christine that she has to build a new city, they tell her to draw inspiration from the Amazonian women of ancient Greek mythology. The text contains a number of descriptions of Amazonian cities as well as Amazonian women themselves – strong, capable warriors known for their independence and collective female society. The Amazons are hailed by all the women in the book as a worthy model for the City of Ladies.
Construction
The Book of the City of Ladies details the allegorical construction of a city that will house only virtuous, worthy women. As such, the text contains a great deal of construction imagery as Christine embarks on her project: she lays a foundation, erects large edifices like palaces, and binds all the structures together with the "mortar" of Lady Rectitude's words. This imagery is significant because it showcases how grand and formidable a society that celebrates women can be.
Agriculture
The Ladies of the text often argue that women were the original inventors of agriculture. Numerous women are mentioned as having grown particular plants and cared for animals as a means of survival. As such, this agricultural imagery associates women with nurturing and growing, suggesting that women are natural contributors to prosperity.
Virgin Mary
The Virgin Mary is seen as the image of the perfect woman and Christine and the three Ladies mention her often when they talk about virtue and self-constraint. Mary is presented as a near divine figure who exudes kindness, strength, and chastity while also serving as a mother and a ruler. The numerous images of Mary throughout the text remind the reader that the City of Ladies is rooted in Christian ideals.
