The forgotten symbol of Jesus Hex Sign Pennsylvania Dutch Christian Ico nography home Known as a Hex Sign in Pennsylvania, this design was adopted by the earliest Christians as a monogram of Christ. This design may have been the first symbol to represent Jesus. Was it is a legacy of Mary, but forgotten in history. The design's origin may predate the Israelites. Why did early Christians adopt the symbol? Ossuaries from Israel Antiquities Authority, predates 69A.D.
Transcript
The forgotten symbol of Jesus
Hex Sign
Pennsylvania Dutch Christian Iconographyhome
Known as a Hex Sign in Pennsylvania, this design was adopted by the earliest Christians as a monogram of Christ. This design may have been the first symbol to represent Jesus. Was it is a legacy of Mary, but forgotten in history. The design's origin may predate the Israelites. Why did early Christians adopt the symbol?
Ossuaries from Israel Antiquities Authority, predates 69A.D. This is design is believed to be a Jewish religious and funerary symbol passed on
from Mary to Jesus
This design is called a hex sign in Pennsylvania. But, the true story of this design is that it has symbolized Christ, the resurrection and afterlife, from the early days of Christendom. There are neither hidden messages nor secrets associated with this symbol. Photographs in this website document the symbol's saga.
The symbol's origin is most likely 1,700 B.C. Israelite, but may pre-date them. It may have been associated with the tribe to which Mary, Joseph and Jesus belonged. It is created by circles. This design can be described by one phrase, E Pluribus Unum.
Photograph below, Danish church dated 1460A.D.
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 is present as well as the Chi Rho and Coptic Cross.
Bishop Boethius of Carpentras 604A.D.
The 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?
The design came to America with the immigration of Christians from Low Countries of Europe. It has symbolized their religious culture from the early years of Christianity in Europe.
In America during the 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 failed to recognize the designs historical Christian cultural identity. 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.
To find the origin of the symbol, we must travel back in history to ancient Egypt during the Middle Kingdom, to Jerusalem during the time of Christ, and to the Roman Empire during the days of Constantine.
Photograph on the left, Temple of Osiris, Egypt dated 2300B.C. Photograph on the right, Danish church dated 1460A.D.
Who first created this design? We do not know.
The Egyptian god Osiris was associated with ressurection into the afterlife. If the design was created by ancient Egyptians, then the symbol dates to at least the year 2300B.C. It could have been adopted by The Roman Empire as they adopted the worship of Osiris. Did the Romans borrow the design of the Morning Star from ancient Egyptians as the Roman symbol of resurrection for Christianity? Did Coptic or Egyptian Christians, among the earliest of all Christians, borrow symbol of resurrection from the Temple of Osiris to symbolize Christ's resurrection? We know this design has been used by Coptic Christians since the early days of Christianity.
Visit: Princeton University Index of Christian Art
We can say with certainty that in 70A.D. the motif was carved into the Ossuary, or small secondary casket pictured below. The area where it was made is now known as Israel and Jordan. 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. Caves housed the Ossuaries of communities and families.
Ossuary from Jifna, Jordan 70A.D. - Courtesy of and permission from the University of Chicago, Dr. Harold H. Willoughby.
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 symbol extensively.
Exterior wall of Coptic Church - Courtesy of and permission from the New York Metropolitian Museum
Coptic Christians
Fragment from a Lintel or Frieze with a cross and the symbol 500A.D. - Courtesy of and permission from the New York Metropolitian Museum
The Roman Legion and Barbarian Hordes
In the year 400A.D., Barbarian hordes of Germanic tribes including the Almanni, Franks, Gauls, Vandals, Visigoths and Lombards fought for control of the northern Roman Empire. The sword scabbard belt buckle, shown below, was created in the year 400A.D., and found in the year 1885 inside the tomb of a
Barbarian warrior. The Romans referred to the people living beyond their borders as Barbarians, but often employed Barbarians as mercenary soldiers to safeguard Empire borders. The Barbarian warrior stationed in the Roman province of Gaul, now known as Vermand, France, was a high ranking military leader fighting as a member of the Roman Legion. The buckle in the photograph below should be viewed at a 45 degree angle, as it was connected to a belt supporting a sword scabbard, draped over the shoulder.
France is an essential location in the study of the Morning Star. In the year 180A.D. Saint Irenaeus, then Bishop of what is now Lyon, France published "Against Heresies", a volume intended to help unify the early Christian church. St. Irenaeus in France demonstrates how the late Roman Empire spread Christianity throughout the Kingdom, for St. Irenaeus was from Smyrna, now called Izmir, Turkey. In Medieval times Vermand, France was the land of Hugh of Vermandois, a Crusader Knight. In fact, the Knights of the Morning Star were a Chivalric Order and subgroup to the Knights Templar. This is discussed in the Crusade section.
Sword Scabbard Belt Buckle made in 400A.D., Vermand Treasure - Courtesy of and permission from the New York Metro Museum
The Franks 4th to 7th century A.D.
The Frank Kingdom was a confederation of ancient Germanic Barbarian tribes in northern Europe. The Franks were ruthless warriors and became allies with the Romans to defeat the Huns and protect Europe from Attila's wrath.
In the year 506A.D., Clovis became King of the Franks by uniting the tribes in Gaul. By uniting the Franks and converting to Christianity, Clovis set the stage for feudalism and saved Europe from the emptiness of Pagan idolatry and fractious infighting.
Clovis was the founder of the Merovingian Dynasty of Frankish Kings.
The symbol was displayed by the Clovis and throughout the Merovingian Kingdom as a sign of Christ, the resurrection, and the afterlife.
The Frankish Empire included legendary Knights like Charlemagne. Born April 2nd, 742A.D., Charlemagne was blessed with a brilliant intellect, mental stamina, and exceptional physical strength. He united most of Europe during his reign as King. The brutal campaigns he fought were the Lombard war, Aquitaine war, Saxon war, Spanish war, Slavic war, Huns war and Danish war.
Charlemagne was crowned the Emperor of the Holy Roman Church and Europe in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome on Christmas night 800A.D. In the name of Charlemagne, ferocious Frankish Knights took up the sword against Pagan devils and laid waste to all who opposed the King, assuring the name of Charlemagne would echo in eternity.
Throughout Europe, Charlemagne's conquering warriors built Abbeys and carved the symbol above doorways as a reminder of the Christian Knights of Charlemagne. The symbol can still be seen on Churches and Chrisitian objects in the territory conquered by Charlemagne. His Kingdom was the basis for Medieval Europe between the years 700A.D. to 1200A.D.
The photograph below is the Casket of Mumma. Gilt copper repousse on wood reliquary. It was created in the middle part of the 7th century A.D., and is from the St. Beniot sur Loire Abbey Church. It shows the Twelve Apostles and below them the symbol denoting ascension.
Casket Bronze - Courtesy of and permission from the University of Alabama Birmingham
Visit: Art History on the web
The Lombards 6th century to 774A.D.
The Lombard Kingdom was Christian and located in southern France and northern Italy. Lombard meant long beard, Longobardo. The Franks had conquered the Lombard Empire by 590A.D. A period of stability in the Lombard Monarchy was attained through marriages between Lombard Monarchy and Frankish Nobility. The Lombards retained their Monarchy under the Franks.
Below is a stone carving. It was made in Europe during the 8th century.
The photograph below is a Lombard marble altar closure slab of Magister Ursus, in honor of Duke Ilderic of Spoleto, 8th century, from Ferentillo, S. Pietro in Valle. Observe the Morning Star symbol placed in several locations on the marble altar.
Marble Altar - Courtesy of and permission from the University of Alabama Birmingham
The symbol was handed down, from generation to generation, as an icon of Christianity and cultural. It was the symbol of ascension and resurection of life, a sign of life eternal.
Cathedral of Pisa Italy, built between 1060A.D. and 1118A.D. (below)
The Crusades and the forgotten symbol of Jesus
Deus Vult! The photographs above document the symbol on the Cathedral of Pisa, Italy, created between the years 1060A.D. to 1118A.D., during the Crusades. The symbol honors the Crusaders who departed for war and never returned. It beckons the spirits of lost Crusaders providing a guiding light home. Nobiscum Deus.
The symbol is seen again, seventy miles east of Pisa, inside the mountain fortress of Volterra, Italy. The citadel of Volterra was first built by the Etruscan's and then controlled by the Roman Empire in the year 300B.C.
During the time of the Crusades, in 1110A.D., at the behest of the Norman Crusaders, the Holy
Roman Church began construction on a Cathedral and Basilica within the citadel of Volterra. The Basilica is adorned with the same symbol as the Cathedral in Pisa.
Cathedral of San Paolo Al'Orto in Pisa Italy, completed in 1086 A.D. (below)
The photograph below is of the same cathedral as above. This photograph was taken in the year 1910 by auto tire manufacturer Mr. Goodyear and is in the Brooklyn Museum.
The Crusades began in the year 1095A.D.; an assembly of churchmen called by Pope Urban II met at Clermont, France. On November 27, 1095A.D. the Pope addressed the assembly and asked the warriors of Europe to liberate the Holy Land from the Muslims. The word "crusade" literally means "going to the Cross." Deus vult or "God wills it" were the words spoken by Pope Urban II.
In the year 1096A.D., an army of Crusaders, the chivalry of Medieval Europe, set out for the Holy Land under Godfried van Bouillon, Hugh of Vermandois, and Stephen of Blois. Guther der Benner was a Knight of the Morning Star under Godfried.
The Photograph below is a gravestone from St. Magnus Cathedral in Scotland. The Normans built the Cathedral and this Knight was buried in the Cathedral. In Scotland, this motif is unlike any other design of the Scotish culture before 1000A.D. But in Scotland, we know the design is associated with the Danes and Normans who conquered the region in 1042A.D. Is this Knight a member of the "Knights of the Morning Star"?
St. Magnus Cathedral, founded by Earl Rognvald in 1137A.D. and dedicated to his kinsman St. Magnus who had been executed at Egilsay in 1116A.D. Although it is the most considerable monument erected in the Norse occupation.nbsp; The material used is the local flagstone used as rubble, with dressings of freestone from the Head of Holland, less than 3 miles away.
Other examples of this design being used as Christian iconography in Scotland are from the years 1707 and 1712. The photographs are shown later on this page.
The Crusades lasted from 1096A.D. to 1270A.D. and were comprised of the Teutonic Knights, Knights of the Morning Star, Knights Templar, Knights of St. John (Hospitaliers). During this time many of the Cathedral fortresses where built throughout Europe. The Cathedral of Pisa and Volterra are marked with this symbol. Use of the symbol during the Crusades and corresponding construction of cathedrals shows a direct relationship between the warring Knights and their God. The Normans ruled the whole of Europe at the time of the Crusades, and they were the guiding force behind cathedral building in Europe.
Cathedral of Pisa Italy, built between 1060A.D. and 1118A.D.
The Low Country of Europe
Danish Church wall paintings from 1400A.D., (below). The design is identical to the motif on the Cathedral of Pisa built 300 years earlier.
Courtesy of and permission from James Mills, Mills-Kronborg Collection of Danish Church Wall Paintings.
Visit: Princeton University, Index of Christian Art
In the year 1380, John Wyclif, wrote a book called, "About the Eucharist." The book questioned the dogma practiced by the Holy Roman Church at the time. John Wyclif became known as the "Morning Star" of reformation. The symbol was used by the Dutch and German Reformed Church to distinguish their religious sect. Was this symbol called the Morning Star? Wyclif was a forerunner to later reform leaders like Martin Luther, John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli.
Morning Star of Reformation
Kilmartin Church in the Argyll province of Scotland has beautiful examples of the symbol used, as it was during the Crusades, as iconography of one's culture. The photograph below demonstrates carved into the gravestone slab is an identical geometric design to the Crusader, Knight of the Morning Star, gravestone slab pictured above. Additionally, it is identical to the gravestone designs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Courtesy of and permission from www.Darkisle.comGravestone slabs from 1707 and 1712 in Kilmartin Church, Scotland
Pennsylvania and the symbol
Gravestone of Abraham Sell, my ancestor, from Christ Church in Littlestown Pennsylvania, dated 1786 (left)Gravestone from Saint Mark's Church in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, dated 1842 (right)
Who are the "Pennsylvania Dutch"?
Pennsylvania Dutch history begins with the migration of Dutch and German Reformed Church people to the Dutch Colonial trading post of New Amsterdam in the American Colonies. The trading post of New Amsterdam was initially developed in 1626 by Dutch merchants as a Colony for trading furs and ship building lumber. During the English and Dutch War of the 1620's, the English gained possession of New Amsterdam and renamed it New York in honor of Lord York of England.
Gravestone from 1797 in Christ Church, Littlestown, Pennsylvania Note the flower engraved below the design. This dispells the belief that the design is a flower.
The British did not discourage the Dutch and German immigrants from continuing their migration to the New Amsterdam Colony, now known as New York. The area around New York was inhabited by native tribes, and some of the fierce warriors were intent on fighting English expansion. And, the English needed able bodied people to occupy the land and hold it for English interests. The Reformed Church members were the largest group of immigrants to the New York colony in the mid to late 1600's. Dutch and German Reformed Church people were from the southern region of Germany, Holland, and the Low Country area of Europe. People from the Low Country were also known as Low Dutch because of their regional German dialect.
Nicholaus Geihsel 1742-1777, St. Paul's Church in Cherryville, Pennsylvania Note the flower engraved below the design. This dispells the belief that the design is a flower.
The Pennsylvania Colony was created in 1681 when William Penn was granted land in the American Colonies by King Charles II of England. The King gave it the name of Pennyslvania. King Charles II granted Penn the land as a debt of gratitude for the military service of William Penn's father in the Majesty's Royal Navy. William Penn's mother was of the Dutch Reformed faith and very religious. William was very tolerant and accepting of different Christian religious sects. He traveled to Europe to encourage colonization of Pennsylvania by the Reformed Church people who were being discriminated against by the Catholic Church. And thus began the great migration of Dutch and German Reformed Church members from Europe to Pennsylvania. Also, other Reformed church congregations made the trek to Pennsylvania from the neighboring Colonies of Maryland, Lord Baltimore's possession and New York.
From the time of their arrival in Pennsylvania, the Low Dutch people used the ancient cultural symbol to identify their relation to Christianity and the Reformed Church. This unique symbols adorned gravestones, churches, barns, and quilts to honor their heritage. As demonstrated in the photographs below, this symbol has an ancient history.
Dutch and German Reformed Church in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Members of the Dutch and German Reformed Church began migration from Europe to America in the early 1600's and peaked in the 1750's. The photgraph below is of Conewago Church in Gettysburg, Penna., built by Dutch Reformed people of the Conewago Colony in 1787.
Conewago Church in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, built in 1787
Visit the Adams County Historical Society: ACHS
In the mid-1700's, Reformed Churches stretched from New York and New Jersey to Pennsylvania and Maryland. Eventually, they made their way to Christ Church in Littlestown and Conewago (Gettysburg), Adams County, Pennsylvania, America. This church was the center point for the Reformed Churches in the Adams County community. In the late 1780's,
this area was part of York County and later became Adams County. The image below is the symbol above the door at the front of the Great Conewago Church in Gettysburg, Penna.
The Pennsylvania Dutch kept their cultural and religious heritage by speaking and writing the Low-Dutch German dialect and maintaining their traditions. Many of the men in the Christ Church congregation fought in the American Revolutionary War. Known as excellent marksman, they formed the personal guard for General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Visit: Pennsylvania Historical Society
Pennsylvania Dutch culture began to change in the 1830's, due to the conversion of language from German to English. Declining leadership in the Dutch and German Reform Church resulted in a gradual dissolution of the Reformed Church. Reformed church congregations joined with Lutheran or Protestant churches. After merging congregations the Dutch and German Reformed people sparingly used traditional symbols, specifically on gravestones.
Read more at: Dutch Reformed in Gettysburg, PA Learn more about the Gettysburg church: Conewago Colony of Gettysburg Pennsylvania on-line history resources: Pennsylvania State Archives Visit: Pennsylvania's Historic Architecture & Archaeology
Pennsylvania Heritage Society
Is this design a Hex Sign, Flower of Life, of Morning Star?
The terms Hex Sign and Flower of Life were created in the 20th century by those who did not understand the relationship of the design to Christianity. In fact, those who do not connect the design with Christianity have a difficult time understanding Christian iconography. In the Bible, book of Revelations, Christ calls himself the Morning Star. The location of the design on gravestones and upon churches states to all, these people are Christian and believe in the resurrection into the afterlife.
Revelations 2:26 to 2:28 "He who overcomes, and he who keeps my work to the end, to him I will give authority over the
nations. He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father; and I will give him the Morning Star."
Suggested readings & visits:
1) Metropolitan Museum in New York, USA www.metmuseum.org The Vermand Treasure Coptic Christian Frieze
2) The British Museum www.TheBritishMuseum.ac.uk The Byland Abbey
3) Princeton Universitry, Index of Christian Art www.ica.princeton.edu
The Mills Kronborg Collection of Danish Church Wall Paintings (a) http://ica.princeton.edu/images/mills/13-001.jpg Janderup. c.1500AD-1520AD. Lily Workshop. (M-K 13-001) Dedication crosses
(b) http://ica.princeton.edu/images/mills/15-026.jpg Kirkerup. c.1350. (M-K 15-026) Resurrection. Choir, west arch. Christ, with cross nimbus, bleeding from hands and side, right hand, three fingers extended, in blessing, left hand holding vexillum, steps from tomb with right leg. Three soldiers sleep in foreground.
