Rub el Hizb
The Rub el Hizb (Arabic: ربع الحزب) is an Islamic symbol, represented as two overlapping squares, which is found on a number of emblems and flags. In Arabic, Rubʕ means "one fourth, quarter", while Hizb means a group or party. Initially, it was used in the Quran, which is divided into 60 Hizb (60 groups of roughly equal length); the symbol determines every quarter of Hizb, while the Hizb is one half of a juz'. The main purpose of this dividing system is to facilitate recitation of the Qur'an. It is also used as a marker for the end of a chapter in Arabic calligraphy.
An eight-pointed star was used as a symbol of Tartessos, an ancient civilization based in Andalusia. As the region was ruled by Islamic dynasties for eight centuries, this may suggest a possible origin of the Rub el Hizb.[citation needed]
The symbol is used as a marker for the end of a chapter in Arabic calligraphy. It is represented by two overlapping squares as in the Unicode glyph ۞ at U+06DE.
The Rub el Hizb can be seen on:
- The current coat of arms of Turkmenistan
- The current coat of arms of Uzbekistan
- Azat party flag [1]
- The unofficial flag of Kazakhstan in the 1990s, the basis of the modern state flag, light blue with a hollow yellow rub el hizb
- The fictional flag of Hatay in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- modified on the flag of Azerbaijan
- The emblem of the Organization of the Scout Movement of Kazakhstan
- The previous emblem of the Iraq Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Council
- The logo of the Cairo Metro
- The logo of Faith No More
The cross-sections of the Petronas Twin Towers are based on the Rub el Hizb, but with extra circular sectors added to increase the total floor space.
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coat of arms of Turkmenistan, in use since 2003 -
coat of arms of Uzbekistan, adopted by law on July 2, 1992 -
flag of Azerbaijan, adopted on February 5, 1991 -
emblem of the Organization of the Scout Movement of Kazakhstan -
previous emblem of the Iraq Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Council
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Azat party flag -
Kazakhstan Customs flag -
fictional flag of Hatay
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unofficial flag of Kazakhstan in the 1990s -
Logo of the Cairo Metro
Al-Quds star
The al-Quds star (in Arabic نجمه القدس, najmat al-Quds) is an adaptation of the Islamic Rub el Hizb symbol which is specifically associated with al-Quds (i.e. Jerusalem).
The eight-pointed star design is inspired by the octagonal ground-plan of the Umayyad Dome of the Rock shrine (built to commemorate Jerusalem's status as the first Qibla or direction of prayer in Islam), as well as by the standard Rub el Hizb symbol.[citation needed]
Versions of the al-Quds Star are used as:
- The logo of the 2009 Arab Capital of Culture, chosen to be al-Quds, under the Cultural Capitals Program to promote and celebrate Arab culture and encourage cooperation in the Arab region.[citation needed]
- The logo of al-Quds Bank, a financial institution headquartered in Ramallah.
See also
- Ashthalakshmi, the Star of Lakshmi
- Hawk of Quraish
- Sujud, which uses the symbol ۩ in most Korans
- List of symbolic stars
- Octagram