Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Reference A;

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=TULVAR

In support ...a sort of world order of three dot insignia I searched for three dots on a blade and extracted this from http://greatdreams.com/three/three.htm ~

Quote."This symbol a triad or trinity. It is a symbol of the unity of body, mind and spirit. The symbol is of universal significance - it is found throughout history and all over the world. It was popularized early in this century by the Russian-born artist, philosopher and scientist Nicholas Roerich. (http://www.roerich.org). It can be interpreted in many different senses: spirit/mind/body in a circle of synthesis; past/present/future enclosed in the ring of eternity; art/science/religion bound in a circle of culture

The oldest of Indian symbols, Chintamani, the sign of happiness, is composed of this symbol and it can be found in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. It appears in the Three Treasures of Tibet; on the breast of the Christ in Memling’s famous painting; on the Madonna of Strasbourg; on the shields of the Crusaders and coat of arms of the Templars. It can be seen on the blades of the famous Caucasian swords called "Gurda" and on the swords of Japanese nobility.

It appears as a symbol in several philosophical systems. It can be discovered on the images of Gessar Khan and Rigden Djapo; on the "Tamga" of Timurlane and on the coat of arms of the Popes. It can be seen in the works of ancient Spanish painters and of Titian, and on the ancient ikon of St. Nicholas in Bari and that of St. Sergius and the Holy Trinity. It appears on the coat of arms of the city of Samarkand, on Ethiopian and Coptic antiquities, on the rocks of Mongolia, on Tibetan rings, on Buddhist banners, on the breast ornaments of all the Himalayan countries, and on the pottery of the Neolithic age.

The symbol of the triad or trinity has existed over immeasurable time and throughout the world. It can be understood as a key to the integrity and interdependence of all existence.." Unquote.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Reference A;

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=TULVAR

In support ...a sort of world order of three dot insignia I searched for three dots on a blade and extracted this from http://greatdreams.com/three/three.htm ~

Quote."This symbol a triad or trinity. It is a symbol of the unity of body, mind and spirit. The symbol is of universal significance - it is found throughout history and all over the world. It was popularized early in this century by the Russian-born artist, philosopher and scientist Nicholas Roerich. (http://www.roerich.org). It can be interpreted in many different senses: spirit/mind/body in a circle of synthesis; past/present/future enclosed in the ring of eternity; art/science/religion bound in a circle of culture

The oldest of Indian symbols, Chintamani, the sign of happiness, is composed of this symbol and it can be found in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. It appears in the Three Treasures of Tibet; on the breast of the Christ in Memling’s famous painting; on the Madonna of Strasbourg; on the shields of the Crusaders and coat of arms of the Templars. It can be seen on the blades of the famous Caucasian swords called "Gurda" and on the swords of Japanese nobility.

It appears as a symbol in several philosophical systems. It can be discovered on the images of Gessar Khan and Rigden Djapo; on the "Tamga" of Timurlane and on the coat of arms of the Popes. It can be seen in the works of ancient Spanish painters and of Titian, and on the ancient ikon of St. Nicholas in Bari and that of St. Sergius and the Holy Trinity. It appears on the coat of arms of the city of Samarkand, on Ethiopian and Coptic antiquities, on the rocks of Mongolia, on Tibetan rings, on Buddhist banners, on the breast ornaments of all the Himalayan countries, and on the pottery of the Neolithic age.

The symbol of the triad or trinity has existed over immeasurable time and throughout the world. It can be understood as a key to the integrity and interdependence of all existence.." Unquote.

This is an excellent grouping of the scope of the use of the three dot symbolism in various cultures and contexts, which of course though not necessarily universally the same religiously or symbolically in detail, the three is key.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

The great danger here is that members may consider the three dots as explained whereas these are only suggested since the variety of possibilities is vast>>>and covering an enormous timescale as well as all the main religions the world! many of these possibilities are unrelated while some are probably loosely connected and even connected to mysterious cult followings like Free Masons etc. What seems clear is the Talisman effect in protecting the blades although instances where other artifacts seem designed with # dots such as in ceramic wares from Iznic Turkish wares.

Below a few examples on blades and the chart of three dots and including the sawback or eyelash feature seen in many regions. The 3 dot form may also be a simple ruse to raise the price in indicating a high quality blade in the same way as placing important features on a blade such as ANDREA FERRERA or The name of a famous maker...or a Wolf or other inscription on a blade> Naturally the holy script of religion can be added as Talisman on blade hilt or accoutrements as in Mahdi shirts, allam battle banners and flags and unusual weaponry such as Mace.

[Jens Nordlunde]

The sword shown below was owned by Shri Jodh Bahadur/Rao Jodh II of Salumbar/Udaipur/Mewar, and is dated VS 1927 - AD 1870-71. Born AD 1833 and ruled from 1863 to 1901(?).

The three dots have been used almost as if they were closing the fullers as it is often seen.

[fernando]

What a fabulous sword, Jens !

[Jens Nordlunde]

Thank you Fernando,
You may be able to see that one, and only one of them at the end of the blade, is 'closed' with three dots as well.
It is interesting that the inscription under the disc, as well as the one at the back of the blade, gives the owners name and the place.
Rao Jodh II was the 24th ruler of Salumbar, and the history about how Salumbar was started is quite interesting - with a coconut and a misplaced joke.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

The sword shown below was owned by Shri Jodh Bahadur/Rao Jodh II of Salumbar/Udaipur/Mewar, and is dated VS 1927 - AD 1870-71. Born AD 1833 and ruled from 1863 to 1901(?).

The three dots have been used almost as if they were closing the fullers as it is often seen.

This is most interesting Jens, and as we have often noted, the 'three dots' have often been found on Indian blades in seemingly strategic locations, as if to add strength or power to that key point of the blade.

In this instance at the terminus of the flutes, this is often seen in European blades as in Spanish blades, the 'anchor' often was seen at end of fullers.
I would note here that these kinds of flutes in the forte of the blade were typical on 18th century Solingen blades as often seen on broadswords found on Scottish basket hilts. This suggests possible factors of European influence here.

On earlier European blades the Bishop's cross often 'enclosed' names, phrases or invocations in this manner, as if to augment or enhance the power or significance of what was being expressed.

It is often perplexing in trying to consider certain markings on blades such as the 'sickle' marks often copied on Indian blades (recalling of course the Genoan/Styrian forms)............were these to suggest quality as often assumed, or imbuements of power and strength ?


Could these three dots possibly have been in imitation of the three dots typically part of the sickle mark described, but taken singly in accord with the numeric value of the Trimurti....and placed to add such strength?
The grouping of dots at the top of the fuller is of configured as five rather than three, which of course seems unusual unless simply added in accord with the others in an aesthetic sense.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Jim,
The five dots are share one of the dots, have a look here.
This blade is quite unusual, as one side is wootz and the other side is pattern welded with only two fullers along the blade.

[Jim McDougall]

AHAH!!! The dreaded five dot combination!!!
OK that makes sense, and works out by saving space.
With that in mind, I think of the dot combinations in the Italian blade markings. ….those 'Genoan' sickle marks while seen in pretty standard arrangement were often realigned in all sorts of configurations.

It truly is interesting to look into. A mark may have had peculiar significance in its origin, then later become looked at as a sign of quality......further copying led to its use as an aesthetic theme or arrangement...its original meaning long lost.

In Germany the use of Toledo markings were much in this manner, and certain marks were paired or grouped completely incongruently .

It all makes for interesting study and investigation for those who enjoy a good mystery.....weapons have a lot of 'em!!