Decoration on Indian hilts

[Jens Nordlunde]

The decoration of the hilt shown is a bit different from decorations shown on most hilts. The small flowers are the same on both sides of the hilt, but the two big flowers seem to be shown from the front and the back. In most cases the flowers are shown from the front, but not on this hilt. We can wonder why the artist has chosen to show the flowers like that, but it will be pure guessing, as very little is known about the floral decorations and their meaning. Maybe in the years ahead some old Indian books will be translated giving the symbolic meaning of the flowers shown on the hilts, but until then we are left to guess. I have discussed the flowers with another member on this forum, who is a botanist. It was a very interesting discussion, although he completely spoiled my optimism, when it came to put names to the different flowers, there were too few or too many petals, the leaf did not fit that special flower, and a lot of other things – but it was interesting, so now I will find a book ‘Botanic for dummies’ to learn more about the different plant families and the plants. One thing we must not forget is, that whatever religion the Indians had at the time, their roots went back to other religions, not quite forgotten – like in all other places. The symbolic meaning of the decoration might have been forgotten over the years, but not the fact that sword hilts should be decorated in a special way.

I know that many of you must have interesting hilts to show, please do, and tell what you know about them.