Quote:
Originally Posted by fernando
Old 22nd February 2012, 07:34 PM #222
Posted by:
Jim McDougall
EAA Research Consultant
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Hoping that possibly more might be added on the arm in the clouds, and possible tarot card association in the style of the artwork.
All the best,
Jim
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No tarot card association, but when visiting the Heeresgeschichtliches (Army) Museum in Vienna last Christmas I spotted the swordarm in the clouds symbol on a battle flag (the one on the right) in a painting showing the siege of Vienna by the Ottomans in 1683. It’s clearly wielded by Hungarian hussars wearing furs of predator animals and armed with curved sabres. A sign stated that the symbol was popular with the hussars at the time. Much later this symbol was apparently also the coat of arms for Bosnia Hercegovina after Austria-Hungary invaded and occupied this Ottoman territory in 1878. I don’t know what the symbol means but would guess it represents the sword of God from heaven?