
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Muslim Solomon Seal in Krimea

Basel Münster Cathedral

Large Star of David on the window of the Basel Münster, which was built between 1019 and 1500 in Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Picture is courtesy of mightymightymatze from Flickr
Friday, May 29, 2009
Star of Goloka

thoufeekzak.blogspot.com
He cites from “the oldest known Vedic literature, Sri Brahma-samhita” [Discovered in the 16th century but there’s no mention of its date of composition]:
“The center of the divine lotus is the core — Krsna's residence… is mapped as a hexagonal mystic symbol [sat-konam]...The great mantra of eighteen syllables [Gopala-mantra], which is formed of six integral parts, is manifest as a hexagonal place with six-fold divisions.” [Sri Brahma-samhita, Ch-5, Tx-3]
“The core of that eternal holy abode which is called Gokula is the hexagonal land of Krsna's abode. [Sri Brahma-samhita, Ch-5, Tx-4]
According to Wikipedia [entry “Goloka”] Goloka is Krishna's heaven (souls return to the material world again and again to perfect themselves and go to Goloka). Etymology: “Goloka means the world of cows. The Sankrit word 'go' can refer to either cows or star”.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The First Known Book-Covers with Magen Davids

The First Known Book-Covers with Magen Davids are:
”Beur al sefer Shaarei Dura” by Rabbi Joseph Ben Rabbi Moshe from Kremnitz, which was printed in Prague in 1609. In a similar design were issued in Prague in 1611 the books " Imrei Binah" and “Mekor Chokhmah".
Thanks to Eli Eshed, journalist who calls himself a "culture detective", for directing me to this piece of information.
See: http://www.notes.co.il/eshed/
P.S.
Daniel Putík from Flickr:
Just to let you know that a Magen David does appear on the front page of a Siddur printed in Prague by Gershon Ha-Kohen (Katz) as early as 1512. Unfortunately, I can not find a picture now. My father wrote a study about this. Alexandr Putík, "The Origin of the Symbols of the Prague Jewish Town. The Banner of the Old-New Synagogue. David's Shield and the Swedish hat“. Judaica Bohemiae vol. XXIX (1993).
Fleur-de-Lis on Printers Marks


The printers from the Giunta family printed in Florence and Venice from 1480 to 1598
Pictures are copied from
Gutenberg project: Printers' Marks, a Chapter in the History of Typography by William Roberts, 1893Haarlem Hexagrams
Hexagrams appear in the printer’s mark of Jacobus Bellaert from 1483- “the arms above the Griffin are those of the city of Haarlem”.


Coat of arms of Haarlem, the capital of the province of North Holland
From Wikipedia Commons courtesy of Mcke