Origin of the Hex Sign
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Ossuary from Mount of Olives Jerusalem, predates 69A.D. Courtesy and permission of HolyandPhotos.org
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This design is a Jewish symbol used prodigiouly in the Second Temple period. It may have been a symbol for early followers of Jesus, the Jewish Christians.
Believed to be the direct followers of Jesus, the Jewish Christians were thought to have been put to an end by the Roman's in 70 A.D. Not so, for this symbol is a legacy of the meek Jewish Christians who survived under Roman rule and inheritate Roman.
Pompeii, prior to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a thriving Jewish community existed. Buried for 2,000 years this symbol has a striking resemblence to hex signs created in Pennsylvania.
The gravestone slab of Bishop Boethius of Carpentras from the year 604A.D. provides an interesting glimpse into Christian Iconography of his time. Note this design, along with the Chi Rho, and the Coptic Cross are represented.
Bishop Boethius of Carpentras 604A.D.
Bible. Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and Morning Star. Is this design called the Morning Star?
Christians from the Low Countries of Europe brought the design to America,specifically Pennsylvania. Since the early 1900's modern folk artists called the design different names such as Hex Sign, and Flower of Life. But these names are based upon new age mysticism, and fail to recognize the designs historical symbolism in Christianity for the past 1,960 years.
As you will see in photographs, the motif is sometimes carved on gravestones alongside beautiful flowers. Therefore, out of respect to the artisans who created the design, it is not a flower.
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Roman Legion
Vermand France
400 A.D. |
Cathedral
Pisa
Italy
1100 A.D. |
Cathedral
Pisa
Italy
1100 A.D. |
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Christ Church
Littlestown PA USA
1801 |
Christ Church
Littlestown PA USA
1789 |
Christ Church
Littlestown PA USA
1786 |
Origin of the symbol
To find the origin of the symbol, we must travel back in history for at least 2,000 years to the Israelites of Canaan, the Roman Empire and ancient Egypt. To Christians the design is a monogram of Christ and symbolizes resurrection into the afterlife. To the Hebrew culture it also had meaning, which is still unknown. This design can be found at Gamla Synagogue in Israel. Gamla Synagogue was destroyed by the Roman Legion in 69A.D.
Could this symbol be the mark of the Heberw tribe of Jesus? Is that why Christians adopted it and carried it forward? This design was introduced into Europe by early Christians like Saint Irenaeus. Christians in the Low Countries of Europe used the design to symbolize their religious culture.
Carvings from the ancient Egyptian Temple of Osiris indicate that the design may have been associated with ressurection into the afterlife. If this is true, then it would date the symbol to 2300B.C. The Roman Empire adopted many foreign religious traditions including the worship of Osiris. If the design was originally from the Temple of Osiris, it would mean the design has symbolized resurrection for over 4,300 years. But, is the design Egyptian or Hebrew? The design has been found on the Gamla Synagogue destroyed by Romans in 69A.D. and it was carved on Ossuary boxes from Jerusalem around the time of 50 A.D. It was an important symbol to the Hebrew culture. How did it end up a Christian design? The answer may rest with Jesus and the tribe of Israelites from which he came.
Visit: Princeton University Index of Christian Art (ICA)
Photograph on the left, Temple of Osiris, Egypt dated 2300B.C. Photograph on the right, Danish church dated 1460A.D., (Mills collection Princeton University ICA)
Was the design in Egypt created by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, or Crusaders?
It is difficult to assess if the carvings at the Temple of Osiris are Egyptian, Greek, Roman, or Crusader. There is a high probability that the design is not Egyptian for two reasons; First, because this is the only known location of the design in all of ancient Egyptian Temples; Secondly, this design is not found anywhere else in ancient Egyptian carvings. It is possible the design is from the Israelites of Canaan carved on the Temple of Osiris while in Egypt.
The ossuary pictured below is from the area now know as Israel and Jordan. It was buried sometime before 70A.D.nbsp; The burial practice was to allow the flesh to decompose, either in the ground or upon an alter, then place the bones into an ossuary.nbsp; Caves housed the ossuaries of communities and families.nbsp; Obviously this symbol was revered.
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Ossuary from Jifna, Jordan 70A.D. - Courtesy of and permission from the University of Chicago, Dr. Harold H. Willoughby
Coptic (Egyptian) Christians
Coptic (Egpytian) Christians used the symbol as a monogram for Christ. The design can be seen on artifacts dating back to the beginning of the Coptic Christian Church and Saint Mark in 56A.D. Coptic or Egyptian Christians are among the earliest of all Christians. The Coptic Christian Church was established by Saint Mark, the Evangelist, in the year 56A.D. His martyrdom also took place in Egypt in 68A.D. The first church was built in Alexandria, Egypt in approximately 100A.D. The Coptic Christians used the motif extensively.
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Exterior wall of Coptic Church with the design - Courtesy of and permission from the New York Metropolitian Museum
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Fragment from a Lintel or Frieze with a cross and the symbol 500A.D. - Courtesy of and permission from the New York Metropolitian Museum
Inscribed in Coptic: O Father, O Son, O Holy Spirit, the Holy Mary, the Holy Michael, the Holy Gabriel, our Father Apa Jeremias, Apa Enoch, Apa Ambrosius, Apa Hor, Ama Sibylla, the Papa Jeremias, their Son. Amen
