Circle of stars

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Carlo Dolci, Madonna in Glory, c. 1670, oil on canvas, Stanford Museum, California
Carlo Dolci, Madonna in Glory, c. 1670, oil on canvas, Stanford Museum, California

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.

Contents

[edit] Woman of the Apocalypse

The New Testament's Book of Revelation (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] European Union

Further information: Flag of Europe

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, something which would be offensive to the significant Protestant, Muslim, atheist, and Jewish populations of the EU.[5] The European Union has always strenuously denied this.[6] Many other flags show similar circles of stars. However, flag designer Arsène Heitz has acknowledged that the Book of Revelation (which, in turn, is the source for the mentioned twelve-star halo of the Virgin Mary) helped to inspire him.[1]

[edit] Zodiac

The Zodiac is an ancient circle of stars[7] were some stars are symbolically combined into 12 Star signs also known as constellations. The etymology of the term Zodiac comes from the Latin zōdiacus, from the Greek ζῳδιακός [κύκλος], meaning "[circle] of animals", derived from ζῴδιον, the diminutive of ζῷον "animal".

The Zodiac Gospel[8] links the everlasting dying and resurrecting (Immortal) sun with Jesus by using the Zodiac.

[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] 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 of 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.

The statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, Żejtun, Malta.

[edit] Non religious

[edit] Flags

The Flag of Europe with circle of stars representing European unity

Flag of the International Paneuropean Union

The first American flag (Also known as: Betsy Ross flag)

CSN Jack, 1861-1863

Flags of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1863

Flag of Missouri

Flag of Rhode Island

Flag of Georgia (U.S. state)

Flag of Myanmar, Burma

United States Yacht Ensign

Flag of the Cook Islands

Flag of Cape Verde

Flag of Indiana

Flag of Louisiana (January 1861, unofficial)

[edit] Seals

The FBI Seal where the circle of stars represent unity of 13 original states.

Seal of the President of the United States

Coat of arms of Brazil

Coat of arms of Singapore

Coat of arms of the Cook Islands

Seal of United States Air Force

[edit] Zodiac

6th century synagogue Zodiac, Beit Alpha, Israel


[edit] Postage stamps

 Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (February 2008)

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ History of the European Union flag (HTML).
  2. ^ FBI Heraldic Circle of Stars (HTML).
  3. ^ New Testament Revelation 12:1, & 5 (HTML).
  4. ^ The Revelation of St John (HTML).
  5. ^ EUROPA - The EU at a glance - The symbols of the European Union - The European Flag
  6. ^ European Union: Myths on the flag
  7. ^ Jeffrey Armstrong | A Western Master of Eastern Wisdom
  8. ^ Zodiac Gospel (HTML).