Talismanic symbols on moro kris blades gallery!

[VANDOO]

QUITE A NICE SELECTION. ARE THEY ALL FROM THE SAME MORO GROUP ,AND IF SO CAN WE ASSUME THAT GROUP USED TALSMANIC SYMBOLS ON THEIR BLADES MORE THAN OTHER GROUPS.?
I WONDER IF THE DESIGN I THINK OF AS A CENTEPEDE SUCH AS THE ONE ON YOUR BLADE IS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE ONE ON WHAT YOU REFER TO AS THE ROBOTIC KRIS. THE INLAYED STAR SHAPES REPRESENTING THE LEGS AND THE DESIGN AT THE END REPRESENTING THE HEAD AS IT IS SIMULAR TO THE CENTEPEDE HEAD ON THE OTHER DESIGN.
HERE ARE 3 EXAMPLES THAT MAY REPRESENT THE SAME CREATURE BUT IN 3 DIFFERENT WAYS ONLY ONE CLEARLY REPRESENTED AS A CREATURE WITH MANY LEGS AND A HEAD AND MOUTH. THE OTHER TWO PERHAPS IN THE ABSTRACT AS IS MORE COMMON TO ISLAM. WHAT DO YOU THINK.?

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

QUITE A NICE SELECTION. ARE THEY ALL FROM THE SAME MORO GROUP ,AND IF SO CAN WE ASSUME THAT GROUP USED TALSMANIC SYMBOLS ON THEIR BLADES MORE THAN OTHER GROUPS.?

they belong from various ethnic groups. as far as the assumption that a particular tribe used more talismanic symbols than the other ones; it's impossible to tell, but as far as belief in the metaphysical, i would say they are all pretty even. this belief extends to the christian neighbors as well.

Originally Posted by VANDOO

I WONDER IF THE DESIGN I THINK OF AS A CENTEPEDE SUCH AS THE ONE ON YOUR BLADE IS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE ONE ON WHAT YOU REFER TO AS THE ROBOTIC KRIS. THE INLAYED STAR SHAPES REPRESENTING THE LEGS AND THE DESIGN AT THE END REPRESENTING THE HEAD AS IT IS SIMULAR TO THE CENTEPEDE HEAD ON THE OTHER DESIGN.
HERE ARE 3 EXAMPLES THAT MAY REPRESENT THE SAME CREATURE BUT IN 3 DIFFERENT WAYS ONLY ONE CLEARLY REPRESENTED AS A CREATURE WITH MANY LEGS AND A HEAD AND MOUTH. THE OTHER TWO PERHAPS IN THE ABSTRACT AS IS MORE COMMON TO ISLAM. WHAT DO YOU THINK.?

i think the stars appearing as legs could have just been a coincidence, barry. i have seen these two designs as separate entities. although the "Audi" pattern would be a good candidate for a more an even more abstract form of the Naga.

Originally Posted by Battara

Would you post a picture of the whole sultan's piece please?

here it is Jose, i posted this i believe about a year ago.

[Spunjer]

two more talismanic blades

[David]

Beautiful Ron...nice showing...

[VVV]

Nice ones, Ron!!!

I am rereading Emelie Savage-Smith's great anthology Magic and Divination in Early Islam (2004) at the moment and found this statement in her introduction (page xix). I know some of the forumites hold the opinion that the Moros were isolated from Arabic culture. However, for those of us who don't think so this quote might be interesting to explain the scorpions and, especially, the dogs found on some Moro blades:

"Many of the pre-Islamic beliefs and practices were assimilated into the emerging Islamic culture. Pre- Islamic magical imagery featuring lions, serpents, and scorpions can be seen on several types of magical artefacts, such as amulets and magic-medicinal bowls. There was concern for sudden death (associated with the evil eye) - explaining a nexus of symbols (scorpion/serpent/mad dog) that occur on the earliest amulets, all of which could be interpreted as omens of sudden death."

Michael

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by VVV

Nice ones, Ron!!!

I am rereading Emelie Savage-Smith's great anthology Magic and Divination in Early Islam (2004) at the moment and found this statement in her introduction (page xix). I know some of the forumites hold the opinion that the Moros were isolated from Arabic culture. However, for those of us who don't think so this quote might be interesting to explain the scorpions and, especially, the dogs found on some Moro blades:

"Many of the pre-Islamic beliefs and practices were assimilated into the emerging Islamic culture. Pre- Islamic magical imagery featuring lions, serpents, and scorpions can be seen on several types of magical artefacts, such as amulets and magic-medicinal bowls. There was concern for sudden death (associated with the evil eye) - explaining a nexus of symbols (scorpion/serpent/mad dog) that occur on the earliest amulets, all of which could be interpreted as omens of sudden death."

Michael

thanks, mike and dave!
yes, indeed. this is somewhat in line with lorenz's thread, A sword design theory (Phil., Indonesia, & Malaysia). mixing the old beliefs with the newer ones.

[migueldiaz]

Ron and Michael, many thanks!