User:Roberth Edberg/Circle of stars
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A Circle of stars often represents unity, solidarity and harmony in flags,[1] seals[2] and signs, and is also seen in iconographic motifs related to the Woman of the Apocalypse as well as in Baroque allegoric art that sometimes depicts the Crown of Immortality.
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[edit] Woman of the Apocalypse
The New Testament's Book of Revelations (12:1, 2 & 5) describes the Woman of the Apocalypse: And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth .... And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne[3] In Catholic tradition she has been identified with the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially in connection with the Immaculate Conception. Mary is often pictured with a crown[4] or halo of stars.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was somewhat controversial in the medieval church, and the liturgical Office for the feast was only established in 1615. In 1649, Francisco Pacheco (father-in-law of Velasquez) published his Art of Painting firmly establishing the detailed correct iconography for paintings of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, which included the circle of stars (he also advised the Inquisition in Seville on artistic matters). This was followed by Murillo and his school in very many paintings, and influenced non-Spanish depictions.
[edit] Crown of Immortality
The Crown of Immortality is a separate and earlier motif (and metaphor) which also uses a circle of stars. It has been widely used since the Early Church as a metaphor for the reward awaiting martyrs, but they are not depicted in art wearing a circle of stars. In art the use is mainly in Baroque allegorical compositions, and those with Ariadne.
[edit] European Union
Since the circle of twelve stars was chosen as the flag of the European Union, there have been numerous allegations that the motif was chosen, deliberately or subconsciously, as a representation of or reference to Mary.[5] The European Union has always strenuously denied this.[6] Many other flags show similar circles of stars.
[edit] Art Gallery
[edit] Religious
 A star circle halo is found on a ceiling fresco in an Annunciation Church located in Fuchstal, a Municipality of the Bavarian district Landsberg, Germany. |
 Blessed Virgin Mary in St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin (Primate of Ireland) with a star circle halo. |
 Virgin Mary with a crown of stars at a Catholic Mariavite Church, La Salette,Grenoble(France). |
 Blessed Virgin Mary also known as Lady of Good Success in Quito, Ecuador |
 Crown of Immortality, held by the Allegoric figure Eterna (Eternity) on the Swedish House of Knights Fresco by David Klocker Ehrenstrahl |
 "Our Lady the Garden Enclosed," statue of Our lady of Sorrows in the hermitage church of Warfhuizen. |
[edit] Non religious
[edit] Flags
 The European Union Flag with circle of stars representing European unity |
 Flag of the International Paneuropean Union |
 The first American flag (Also known as: Betsy Ross flag) |
 The Confederate Navy Jack, 1861-1863 |
 Flags of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1863 |
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 United States Yacht Ensign |
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 Flag of Louisiana (January 1861, unofficial) |
[edit] Seals
 The FBI Seal where the circle of stars represent unity of 13 original states. |
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 Seal of United States Air Force |
[edit] Signs
 Armed Forces: |
 Armed Forces: |
[edit] Postage stamps
 Mother Svea on a 5-kronor stamp, issued when Sweden joined the EEA in 1994 (EES-avtalet = EEA treaty). |
[edit] External links
- Entry Iconography in the dictionary of The History of Ideas
- Catholic Encyclopedia article on Iconography
- Iconography of Deities and Demons in the Bibical World (Project of the Swiss National Science Foundation at the Universities of Zurich and Fribourg
