Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

[Jens Nordlunde]

Here are two more Buduhs.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Here are two more Buduhs.

On the lower sword I note the inclusion of the three dots on the 4 points of the cartouche .

Three dots appear on all manner of blades and including Nepalese and Persian as well as Indian. These marks appear to indicate the Trimurti form yet evidence also points toward something else; Tamerlane.

On Islamic blades the geometry seems to be one of protection against evil spirits and in other regions the dots placed not only on blades but on hilts presumably blocking evil from entering the blade from either direction.

Tradition indicates that on a set of Islamic prayer beads there are often three beads included at the end of the string to stop the devil climbing up!

Below; Islamic beads plus 3 to ward off evil spirits and the Tamerlane three dots...

[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 !

[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.