Talismanic symbols on moro kris blades gallery!

Maurice · 21st July 2011, 11:24 PM

Thanks all for getting this thread more interesting....I really going to like it more and more, though I have no knowledge whatsoever about the meanings of the symbols.

The circular shapes near the seperation line and on the gangya are very common it seems.
I see it on my blade, as well on Michael's blades and Ron's blade (however different) also.
About the meaning of all these I really don't know, but I can look for more comparison material.

I found a very interesting kris in the Tropenmuseum database, also with these circular forms above the seperation line. It seems that on the gangya it has some x'-s as on Ron's blade, but I can't see it very sharp on the image.

What I also see on most inlaid blades, is that the centre suggests to be of floral motifs, liniar lines, or some kind of waves, surrounded with stars, crowns, arrows...
On top of the floral motives you can find some kind of other symbols.
At my kris in the first post it consists of several "x" forms on the centre of the blade.
On the kris of the Tropenmuseum it is some kind of spherical symbol with an arrow pointing to the gangya, and above that two other talismanic representativs.

Alam Shah · 22nd July 2011, 08:07 AM

Hi all, interesting thread..

Here's a book which might be useful, "Ukkil: Visual Arts of the Sulu Archipelago", by Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa. Chapters of interest.. Chapter I - Decorative Motifs and Symbols; Chapter VII - Blacksmithing and Casting; Chapter VIII - Goldsmithing and Silversmithing.

For more details, see here:

http://alamshah67.multiply.com/reviews/item/113

Maurice · 22nd July 2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Hi all, interesting thread..

Here's a book which might be useful, "Ukkil: Visual Arts of the Sulu Archipelago", by Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa. Chapters of interest.. Chapter I - Decorative Motifs and Symbols; Chapter VII - Blacksmithing and Casting; Chapter VIII - Goldsmithing and Silversmithing.

For more details, see here:

http://alamshah67.multiply.com/reviews/item/113

Thanks Alam Shah!

Do you have this book and can you find symbols in it which you find back on the images posted?

I've just had a quick look at ebay, and I found only one example for EUR 392,75

Alam Shah · 22nd July 2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Thanks Alam Shah!

I've just had a quick look at ebay, and I found only one example for EUR 392,75

You can get one at US143.95 here..

http://www.kabayancentral.com/book/a...mb5504809.html

21st July 2011, 11:24 PM	#1
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,324	Circular forms near the seperation line. Thanks all for getting this thread more interesting....I really going to like it more and more, though I have no knowledge whatsoever about the meanings of the symbols. The circular shapes near the seperation line and on the gangya are very common it seems. I see it on my blade, as well on Michael's blades and Ron's blade (however different) also. About the meaning of all these I really don't know, but I can look for more comparison material. I found a very interesting kris in the Tropenmuseum database, also with these circular forms above the seperation line. It seems that on the gangya it has some x'-s as on Ron's blade, but I can't see it very sharp on the image. What I also see on most inlaid blades, is that the centre suggests to be of floral motifs, liniar lines, or some kind of waves, surrounded with stars, crowns, arrows... On top of the floral motives you can find some kind of other symbols. At my kris in the first post it consists of several "x" forms on the centre of the blade. On the kris of the Tropenmuseum it is some kind of spherical symbol with an arrow pointing to the gangya, and above that two other talismanic representativs. Attached Images

22nd July 2011, 08:07 AM	#2
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Ukkil – Visual Arts of the Sulu Archipelago Hi all, interesting thread.. Here's a book which might be useful, "Ukkil: Visual Arts of the Sulu Archipelago", by Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa. Chapters of interest.. Chapter I - Decorative Motifs and Symbols; Chapter VII - Blacksmithing and Casting; Chapter VIII - Goldsmithing and Silversmithing. For more details, see here: http://alamshah67.multiply.com/reviews/item/113