Newest Treasure Acquisition, The Most Magic Knife, Esoteric Secrets, Gematria,+,+,+

[Interested Party]

Joe that is quite a rabbit hole you are going down. I can appreciate this as I am also a global learner and ideas tend to spider web and morph into related concepts for me as well.

Yes, the swastika was a solar sign usually associated with a cycle of rebirth. Day and night were a metaphor for the transmigration of the soul. The other side of the handle could be looked at as a fertility symbol of vaguely phallic and vaginal symbolism especially when mixed vegetative growth. Were these put there for an overt purpose? Or were they vestigial decorations that were merely decorations? My grandparents had a family bible from the last quarter of19th century its cover was covered in a knotwork of protection spells. Were they there in a pagan sense or just serendipity? I would argue that the artist did not know what they were imitating and merely added the pattern to give the bible a traditional cultural feel to the demographic the sale was aimed at, but that is just my opinion. If the knowledge and practices was still common understanding it would not be so esoteric. In my insignificant opinion it is interesting and important to understand where art and tradition originate but I am not sure how much meaning is behind the placement of such symbols. They do help the since of continuity with prehistory though.

[Jim McDougall]

Very well said I.P.!!!
In the study of ethnographic arms, there are constant religious, superstitious, talismanic imbuements of virtually all sorts, though scholarly studies typically are inclined to avoid any in depth study of these. Presumably anything which cannot be proven empirically is glossed over except with occasional side notes.
However, in the designs and symbolism inherent in most of these forms, these are virtually predominant, despite metaphysical origins.

In European arms the presence of similar associations with magic, occult and superstitious elements in decoration, inscriptions and markings equally are often present.

Ironically, much of the same arcane symbology is of course present on these kinds of weapons in the private sector and often in ritual and ceremonial practice. Yet this is often met with similar reticence to that of serious study of these kinds of character in the arms used in warfare or self defense.

I have always thought, we do not have to believe in what these symbols and esoteric elements represent....but to understand and perhaps identify a weapon being examined.....we must become aware of what the people using them believed.

As I.P. has well noted, often examples being copied or produced later may well incorporate the significant symbols without awareness of meaning, but simply carrying forth the completeness of the item copied.

I always think of the automotive analogy........in the 1950s, the Buick had distinctive discs on the side of the hood. Most people had no idea what these represented, however these were vestigial representations of the exhaust ports from cars of the 1930s, as well as aviation, those on fighter planes.

[JoeCanada42]

well said both of you and thanks
here is an example that I feel displays "vestigial decorations"
with similarity

[JoeCanada42]

bump

[JoeCanada42]

this one just arrived today, anyone with some thoughts, or ideas about the sigil please share, thanks

[JoeCanada42]

thanks

[fernando]

A letter opener ?

[JoeCanada42]

Originally Posted by Interested Party

Joe that is quite a rabbit hole you are going down. I can appreciate this as I am also a global learner and ideas tend to spider web and morph into related concepts for me as well.

well here is another rabbit hole I hope some may appreciate,
just put this together,
trying to work with you Fernando took forever but put 35+ images into one..

Bes Commonly depicted on an instrument called the Sistrum

[JoeCanada42]

some coins, and scarab amulets

[JoeCanada42]

I just found this....
freaky how remarkably familiar...
these were called French romantic..