Circle of stars

Carlo Dolci, Madonna in Glory, c. 1670, oil on canvas, Stanford Museum, California

A circle of stars often represents unity, solidarity and harmony in flags, seals and signs, and is also seen in iconographic motifs related to the Woman of the Apocalypse as well as in Baroque allegoric art that sometimes depicts the Crown of Immortality.

Woman of the Apocalypse

Diego Velázquez's Immaculate Conception 1618.

The New Testament's Book of Revelation (12:1, 2 & 5) describes the Woman of the Apocalypse: And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth .... And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne In Catholic tradition she has been identified with the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially in connection with the Immaculate Conception. Mary is often pictured with a crown or Circle of Stars.

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was somewhat controversial in the medieval church, and the liturgical Office for the feast was only established in 1615. In 1649, Francisco Pacheco (father-in-law of Velázquez) published his Art of Painting firmly establishing the detailed correct iconography for paintings of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, which included the circle of stars (he also advised the inquisition in Seville on artistic matters). This was followed by Murillo and his school in very many paintings, and influenced non-Spanish depictions.

European Union

Further information: Flag of Europe

The European flag consists of 12 golden stars in a circle on a blue background. The stars symbolise the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of member countries, though the circle is a symbol of unity. The European flag is the symbol not only of the European Union but also of Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense.

Arsène Heitz, one of the flag designers, in 1987 revealed that his inspiration was the crown of twelve stars of the Woman of the Apocalypse, often found in modern Marian iconography. However, he did not suggest that the finished design held a religious meaning. Paul M. G. Lévy, the official responsible the design process, denied any religious inspiration for the flag design.

In 1983, the European Parliament adopted the flag. In 1985, it was adopted by all EU leaders as the official emblem of the European Communities, and in 1993 inherited by the successor organisation, the European Union. All European institutions now use an emblem of their own.

Zodiac

6th century synagogue Zodiac, Beit Alpha, Israel

The Zodiac is an ancient circle of stars were some stars are symbolically combined into 12 Star signs also known as constellations. The etymology of the term Zodiac comes from the Latin zōdiacus, from the Greek ζῳδιακός [κύκλος], meaning "[circle] of animals", derived from ζῴδιον, the diminutive of ζῷον "animal".

Crown of Immortality

The Crown of Immortality is a separate and earlier motif (and metaphor) which also uses a circle of stars. It has been widely used since the Early Church as a metaphor for the reward awaiting martyrs, but they are not depicted in art wearing a circle of stars. In art the use is mainly in Baroque allegorical compositions, and those with Ariadne.

Art Gallery

Religious

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  A star circle halo is found on a ceiling fresco in an Annunciation Church located in Fuchstal, a Municipality of the Bavarian district of Landsberg, Germany.
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  Blessed Virgin Mary in St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin (Primate of Ireland) with a star circle halo.
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  Virgin Mary with a crown of stars in La Salette, Grenoble, France.
• Blessed Virgin Mary also known as Lady of Good Success in Quito, Ecuador
  Blessed Virgin Mary also known as Lady of Good Success in Quito, Ecuador
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  Crown of Immortality, held by the Allegoric figure Eterna (Eternity) on the Swedish House of Knights Fresco by David Klocker Ehrenstrahl
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  "Our Lady the Garden Enclosed", statue of Our Lady of Sorrows at the hermitage church in Warfhuizen, the Netherlands.
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  The statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, Żejtun, Malta.
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  Blessed Virgin Mary Basilica di San Giulio, Orta, Italy

Non religious

Flags

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  The Flag of Europe with circle of stars representing European unity
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  Flag of the International Paneuropean Union (the stars were added after the creation of the Flag of Europe)
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  The first American flag (Also known as: Betsy Ross flag)
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  CSN Jack, 1861-1863
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  Flags of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1863
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  Flag of Missouri
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  Flag of Rhode Island
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  Flag of Georgia (U.S. state)
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  Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine
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  Flag of Myanmar, Burma, 1974-2010
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  United States Yacht Ensign
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  Flag of the Cook Islands
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  Flag of Cape Verde
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  Flag of Indiana
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  Flag of Louisiana (January 1861, unofficial)
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  Flag of Los Ríos Region, Chile

Seals

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  The FBI Seal where the circle of stars represent unity of 13 original states.
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  Seal of the President of the United States
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  Coat of arms of Brazil
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  Coat of arms of Singapore
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  Seal of United States Air Force

External links

• Entry Iconography in the dictionary of The History of Ideas
• Catholic Encyclopedia article on Iconography
• Iconography of Deities and Demons in the Biblical World (Project of the Swiss National Science Foundation at the Universities of Zurich and Fribourg