Ethnic Khanjars

ariel · 1st January 2009, 04:49 PM

Always thought that Majjal Shams means Tower of Sun

ALEX · 1st January 2009, 06:50 PM

And as always, you're right, Ariel. It is tower, of course:-) Thanks for reminding me I am getting rusty with my Arabic:-)

ariel · 1st January 2009, 07:46 PM

My Arabic is nonexistent except for some swear words:-), but it's just another Semitic language: in Hebrew, it's Migdal Shemesh. That's how I know.

BTW, any thought on the dating ( use of numbers)?
And, interestingly, the first shibriyya has an engraving of an eagle with down-turned wings: eery reminiscence of the Egyptian flag.

Michael Blalock · 1st January 2009, 11:33 PM

I think that is a dove flying. I have seen it on many Shabriyas.

ALEX · 1st January 2009, 11:35 PM

Good point, Michael. Looks like dove.
Ariel, I can only speculate that if directed toward tourists it'd make sense to use gregorian dating. Moreover, hijra dating is not that common in modern days, I'd say not many would stamp a modern item with hijra year nowadays. Anyone agrees?
As for the eagle with downturned wings (stylized eagle) - it's also a Syrian National emblem symbolizing Syrian arms.

ariel · 2nd January 2009, 12:42 AM

Yup, dove is likely. It seems to be oriented along the blade's axis, I thought it was vertical. Symbol of peace on a dagger... Ironic.
As to the Eagle of Saladdin, on the Egyptian coat of arms it looks to the left, on the Syrian to the right. Only during the short-lived UAR the Egyptian one prevailed.

1st January 2009, 04:49 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Always thought that Majjal Shams means Tower of Sun

1st January 2009, 06:50 PM	#2
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	And as always, you're right, Ariel. It is tower, of course:-) Thanks for reminding me I am getting rusty with my Arabic:-)

1st January 2009, 07:46 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	My Arabic is nonexistent except for some swear words:-), but it's just another Semitic language: in Hebrew, it's Migdal Shemesh. That's how I know. BTW, any thought on the dating ( use of numbers)? And, interestingly, the first shibriyya has an engraving of an eagle with down-turned wings: eery reminiscence of the Egyptian flag.

1st January 2009, 11:33 PM	#4
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	I think that is a dove flying. I have seen it on many Shabriyas.

1st January 2009, 11:35 PM	#5
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Good point, Michael. Looks like dove. Ariel, I can only speculate that if directed toward tourists it'd make sense to use gregorian dating. Moreover, hijra dating is not that common in modern days, I'd say not many would stamp a modern item with hijra year nowadays. Anyone agrees? As for the eagle with downturned wings (stylized eagle) - it's also a Syrian National emblem symbolizing Syrian arms.

2nd January 2009, 12:42 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yup, dove is likely. It seems to be oriented along the blade's axis, I thought it was vertical. Symbol of peace on a dagger... Ironic. As to the Eagle of Saladdin, on the Egyptian coat of arms it looks to the left, on the Syrian to the right. Only during the short-lived UAR the Egyptian one prevailed.