Unearth this wierd thing at a thrift Store

[not2sharp]

This looks pretty close the the sword we're discussing.



http://isisexchange.com/beautiful-go...rd-p-1394.html

The star and cresent truns out to be from an Egyptian flag.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:F...th_century.svg

And just in case we wanted to know.

Link:
http://reviews.ebay.com/Choosing-and...:-1:LISTINGS:3

I quote:
"How do I choose my belly dancing sword?
Choose a curved blade sword or scimitar with a smooth blade and without an edge; the edge should be flat. Avoid swords with large "handguards" on the handle, such as fencing-style swords with handguards off to the side, as these will throw the balance off. Many misunderstand "balanced" to mean that the sword should balance in the middle of the blade. The balance of a belly dance sword refers to how straight it stands on edge and can be seen by the angle of the blade to the floor when balanced on its center of gravity.

Because the handle is heavier than the blade, the center of lengthwise balance of a belly dance sword usually closer to the handle than the middle of the blade. When balanced on your head, a well balanced sword should lay on the inner curved edge with the blade perfectly perpendicular to the floor. The blade should not be leaning toward the front or back. Sometimes a sword that is out of balance and leans to the front or back can be re-balanced by twisting the handle.

Do not use a battle sword for belly dancing. They are not balanced correctly and having an edge will be extremely difficult to dance with. Some swords are heavier than others and it will take some conditioning to get used to the weight. Dance until your scalp goes numb, then practice other moves!"

Numb ....nope not going there.

n2s

[Jim McDougall]

OH NOOOOOO!!! Not the belly dancing sword thing again

What memories does this bring,

Rhys Michael, if memory serves from research some time ago, the word is suggested to possibly derive from the Portuguese 'castao' which I belive is correct, referring to a decorated walking stick. I'll have to check more in notes, and I think Fernando may have qualified or corrected that term.

In any case, this decorative swordlike item really has nothing to do with the true kastane from Sinhala, which is in no way associated with the 'belly dancing' performance. It seems other theatrical interpretations of swords used in these performances simulate loosely shamshirs to fantasy scimitars as well, and who can forget that 'Prince' video "Seven" !!

Uh, colorful thread though!!

All the best,
Jim

[Mark]

Weird that the handle is backwards. I would have said someone fixed it wrong, until I saw not2sharp's pic of the same configuration. Maybe its a balance thing.

[Atlantia]

LOL, I have no problem with a long discussion on this subject! ;-)

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by not2sharp

This looks pretty close the the sword we're discussing.
















The star and cresent truns out to be from an Egyptian flag.



n2s

The 'Al Yildiz' (=moon star) was actually the device used on the Ottoman flag in the 19th century, and did of course fly over Egypt in those times. The modern Egyptian flag is multistriped, with Eagle of Saladin on white center stripe . The Turkish flag still carries the Al Yildiz.

Not really important on this 'item' but placed it anyway.....back to the dancing girls

All best regards,
Jim