Circle of stars

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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.

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 Velázquez) 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.

European Union

Further information: Flag of Europe

Since the circle of twelve stars was chosen as the flag of the European Union, it has been suggested that the motif was chosen, deliberately or subconsciously, as a representation of, or reference to, Mary, something which could be potentially offensive to the significant Protestant, Muslim, atheist, and Jewish populations of the EU.[5] The European Union has always denied this;[6] many other flags show similar circles of stars. All the same, 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, did help to inspire him.[7]

Zodiac

The Zodiac is an ancient circle of stars[8] 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".

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.[citation needed] In art the use is mainly in Baroque allegorical compositions, and those with Ariadne.

Art Gallery

Religious

Non religious

Flags

Seals

Zodiac

  • 6th century synagogue Zodiac, Beit Alpha, Israel

Postage stamps

    External links

    References

    1. ↑ "History of the European Union flag". 
    2. ↑ "FBI Heraldic Circle of Stars". 
    3. ↑ "New Testament Revelation 12:1, & 5". 
    4. ↑ "The Revelation of St John". 
    5. ↑ EUROPA - The EU at a glance - The symbols of the European Union - The European Flag
    6. ↑ European Union: Myths on the flag
    7. ↑ "Real politics, at last". The Economist. 2004-10-28. Retrieved 2011-08-14. 
    8. ↑ Jeffrey Armstrong | A Western Master of Eastern Wisdom
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