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Muslim symbols and the star of David on tombstones. Star Mosque History of the symbolism of the crescent

I have long wanted to ask for help from respected blog visitors: what does the Star of David (hexogram) mean next to the Muslim crescent and does this combination carry any special meaning at all?
At the Zaeltsovsky cemetery there is a corner where Muslim burials from the 60s are located. Monuments of the same type are made of concrete, some have partially crumbled and erased inscriptions, several wooden plaques with names written in paint. The tombstones depict an inverted crescent and a six-pointed star - in some places exactly corresponding to the Star of David, in others there is no drawing inside the star - the line of intersections.

Here, the monument itself is wrapped in tape, I think, weakly protecting the concrete obelisk from destruction, below is a sign with the name, 1959 death.

The names are similar to Tatar ones. The inscription is made in script similar to Arabic. I have Tatar friends, and I grew up in a small multinational northern town. I asked whoever I could, but no one knows the answer.

I was able to find the following information:

The hexagram is an international symbol of very ancient origin. Researchers discovered this sign in India, where it appears to have been in use long before it appeared in the Middle East and Europe. Initially, the hexagram was not a specifically Jewish symbol and had nothing to do with Judaism. In the Middle and Near East, she was a symbol of the cult of the goddess Astarte. And in Mecca, the main Muslim shrine - the black stone of the Kaaba - from century to century is traditionally covered with a silk blanket on which hexagonal stars are depicted. Starting from the “Bronze Age” (late fourth - early first millennium BC), the hexagram, like the pentagram, was quite widely used for decorative and magical purposes among many peoples so geographically distant from each other, such as the Semites Mesopotamia and the Celts of Britain. It is worth noting that the pentagram was used much more often as a magical symbol than the hexagram, but both geometric figures can be found among illustrations on the pages of many medieval books devoted to alchemy, magic and witchcraft.

(With)
Hexagram is a universal symbol. And it doesn't just have to do with EVERYTHING

Sufis use this symbol in their spiritual practices. Surah "Yasin"
called the heart of the Koran, “carries” the hexagram.

During prayer, a Muslim writes this figure with his body. Standing position with a waist bend,
makes up the first triangle, and the deep earthly bow, coupled with the surface
the earth forms the second.

If you “expand”, then this figure should be considered in volume,
then you will see that it is based on a three-dimensional cross. This cross
with six rays and a center there are six days of creation and a day of “rest.”
This is one of the places where Christianity and Islam meet.
The cross is not only not alien to Islam, but is also its symbolism,
but in a veiled form. (With)
http://kuraev.ru/smf/index.php?topic=10372.0

If there are people among the readers who can explain which nations customarily place such symbols on their tombstones, I will be grateful.

Muslim graves in all Novosibirsk cemeteries are no different in design from the graves of Christians and either represent standard monuments of the Soviet and post-Soviet era - a trapezoidal or rectangular tombstone, which depicts a crescent and a five-pointed star, which are often adjacent to the red Soviet star, sometimes have a brighter a pronounced oriental motif, such as, for example, this monument from 1950 at the Kleshchikha cemetery:

"To a friend and dear mother from her husband and children."

Zaeltsovskoe cemetery, the grave of a girl. The inexpensive metal monument is carefully painted in a bright color every year. Here is a photo taken in 2011:

photo taken a year later, in 2012:

Muslim part of the cemetery:

The owner of a very colorful mustache:

And finally, here is another mysterious monument.

In the early 20th century, Ali Jan Bepari, a local businessman, financed the restoration of the mosque and added a new eastern veranda. The surfaces were decorated in the Chainithikri style (mosaic made from fragments of Chinese pottery), popular in the 1930s. The mosque, which previously had no historical significance, became one of the few remaining architectural structures with a similar design. The mosaic is laid out in the shape of stars, which gives the mosque its name. In 1987, the prayer hall was expanded, which made it possible to add two more domes.

Crescents are also depicted at the top of the eastern façade.

Interior decoration

The Chainitikri technique is also used inside, but in a slightly different way; tiles of different textures are used, from which both stars and floral patterns are laid out, including vases with flowers. The space between the doors is decorated with an image of the Japanese Mount Fuji.

Notes

Literature

Haque, Enamul. 1983. Islamic Art Heritage of Bangladesh. Dhaka: Bangladesh National Museum, 98.
Ahmed, Nazimuddin. 1984. Discover the Monuments of Bangladesh. Dhaka: University Press Limited, 181.
Hasan, Syed Mahmudul. 1981. Dacca: The City of Mosques. Dhaka: Islamic Foundation, 46.

Star Mosque or "Tara Mosque" is located in the capital of Bangladesh - Dhaka, a city belonging to the province of Armanitola. This absolutely amazingly beautiful mosque stands in the old historical part of the city. The Muslim temple is decorated with numerous decorative elements, and its walls and panels are decorated with thousands of blue stars, which gave the name to this mosque. But this building was rebuilt and restored more than once before becoming the most beautiful Muslim temple in the city of Dhaka.

The original version of the Dhaka temple arose on the same site in the early eighteenth century, it was rectangular in shape, with three arched entrances along the eastern facade and doorways in the northern and southern walls. But later they decided to modify it. The new design was drawn up by the architect Mirza Golam Pir, and construction was completed by the mid-nineteenth century. The Tara Mosque was the only mosque in the capital of Bangladesh built in the architectural style of the Mughal dynasty. Even despite further alterations and additions, it retains its original forms, being a repository of the most exquisite and outstanding works of art. It is noteworthy that the “star theme” is constantly visible in the decoration of the interior: all the walls, as well as decorative panels, are decorated with stars.

After the renovation, the Star Mosque was supplemented with towers in each corner, it was crowned with three domes, of which the central one is the largest. But it was supplemented again several decades later. At the beginning of the twentieth century, with the financial help of businessman Ali Bepari, the temple was again reconstructed and redesigned: a veranda was added to the mosque building from the east. In addition, during restoration work, craftsmen discovered fragments of decorative mosaics created from fragments of Chinese porcelain, which once created traditional patterns - crescents and stars. These decorative patterns were found in the main prayer hall and also under a thick layer of plaster applied to the outer walls. For interior and exterior decoration, English and Japanese ceramic tiles were purchased, as well as blue fragments of Chinese porcelain, which were used to lay out symbolic stars and crescents using the unique “Chinitikri” technique. And from that moment on, an ordinary Muslim mosque, which had no historical significance, became a rare example of decoration in the original Chinitikri style. Three openings of the main facade of the Tara Mosque were decorated with mosaics: these multi-colored glazed pieces formed a magnificent floral ornament. Since 1987, according to the decree of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh, the area of the prayer hall has been increased and a couple more domes have been added.

Today, the Star Mosque of Bangladesh has four minarets at the corners and five domes, and the outside is painted white and also decorated with stars on the outside. The domes, like the outer walls, are covered with multi-colored star-shaped tiles. The upper part of the facade of the building on the eastern side is decorated with crescent-shaped patterns, and the three mihrabs and doorways are decorated with an amazing mosaic floral pattern. The design of the Star Mosque is dominated by plant motifs, as well as amphorae shapes, repeated along the inside walls of the veranda. An interesting and unexpected decorative element adorning the wall between the entrances is an image of Mount Fuji.

From the outside, the Star Mosque in Dhaka in Bangladesh is unique, from the point of view of artistic value, it looks like an elegant carved box, which cannot but attract numerous tourists here, and not only Muslims, but travelers interested in the amazing architecture of Bangladesh.

Muslims all over the world consider the crescent moon and star to be the symbol of Islam. Most people of various religions associate it with Islam. But few people know why the crescent moon became so widespread among Muslims.

In fact, the symbolism of the crescent and star was not born with the advent of Islam, but several thousand years before it. There is a lot of evidence in history that the symbol of the celestial body was used by different peoples in different eras. Before answering the main question of the article - where the crescent moon faces for Muslims, let's go to the origins.

History of crescent symbolism

It is believed that this symbol was first used in the worship of the Moon and the Sun, which was
characteristic of a number of peoples. There are other mentions that indicate that this symbol
denoted at different times two Goddesses: the Carthaginian Tanit and the Greek Diana.

So why did Muslims choose the crescent as a symbol? The answer to this question should begin with the story that at the dawn of Islam no designations were used. Armies and communities hung simple plain flags, and the Koran said nothing about symbols.

It was only in the 15th century, when the Turks captured Constantinople, that they adopted the crescent moon flag from the Byzantines.

There is a legend according to which Osman (it was he who founded the empire) had a dream before the battle in which the flag stretched from one end to the other of the Earth. He considered this a good omen and therefore the emblem became a symbol of an entire dynasty.

The Ottoman Empire expanded its borders and dominated the rest of the Muslim world for many centuries. This is how the culture of the Ottomans spread, and along with it, the symbolism of the crescent, once chosen by the founder, took hold among Muslims.

Over many centuries, Muslims and non-Muslims began to associate the heavenly body with Islam and its adherents. However, it did not cease to be a symbol of the Ottoman Empire, and not of religion.

In the 21st century, the crescent moon is still considered by many Muslims to be a symbol of Islam, although it is not such. People who practice this religion wear chains with crescents and a star. This is how they identify their religion. It is impossible to compare the symbolism of the crescent with the cross among Muslims. This is absolutely not a fair comparison.

It is worth noting that although symbolism adorns the flags of Muslim states and mosques, there are followers of Islam who consider the crescent to be a pagan sign. Its non-acceptance by devout Muslims can easily be explained by the Koran, which prohibits the worship of animals, people, heavenly bodies, etc. According to the holy book, Islam came to our world to save people from idols and paganism.

These rules must be strictly observed in certain areas of belief. In other aspects of human life, the crescent symbol has the right to life. Muslims can use any symbols and signs that do not contradict Sharia law.

Stolen symbol

Despite the fact that the Muslim crescent symbol was first used in the Ottoman Empire, it did not originally belong to this people. There are many archaeological finds that say that the crescent moon appeared as a symbol even before our era.

Meaning of the month and star in Islam

What does the crescent mean for Muslims? According to some legends, the choice of symbolism is associated with the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. According to others, the crescent moon speaks of the adherence of devout Muslims to the lunar calendar, and the star with five rays is a reflection of the 5 pillars of Islam and the 5 multiple prayers performed by devout Muslims (they are called “namaz”).

There is another version of what the crescent moon means among Muslims. According to her, this emblem personifies divine protection and rebirth, and the star symbolizes paradise.

Decoration of mosques

If you go into the distant past, you can see that the crescent with a star first began to appear on the mosques of the Ottoman state as a sign of difference from Christian churches.

The symbols themselves did not have a sacred meaning; they did not conflict with Islam, but they did not represent anything sacred either. Surely, during excursions to countries professing Islam, you have noticed more than once that the crescent moon on the minarets has a different shape. In some cases it takes the shape of a circle. These differences can be easily explained. According to some reports, the installation of the crescent was carried out at the final stage of construction of the mosque. The shape of the sign corresponded to the current phase of the moon.

Where should the horns of the month point?

Many believers are concerned about the question: which direction does the crescent moon face for Muslims? Most often it arises at the moment of choosing a Muslim monument for a grave. I would like to do everything in accordance with the canons of Islam, so that nothing could prevent the deceased from getting to the Great Judgment.

In fact, you shouldn’t take any one option as the truth. The star and crescent are not part of the religion. They were only borrowed by the Turks. Islam denies any depiction.

Here's how one Islamic scholar puts it:

“The crescent and star are not symbols of Islam, but they were used by the last Islamic dynasty - Ottomania. The Ottoman Empire considered it normal to use the star and crescent as their symbols, and not symbols of Islam.

So, the star and crescent are not part of the Islamic religion, since Islam is very strict on the concept of “there is no God besides Allah, and there are no images.” Therefore, the proposal for Islamic sanction on such [images] is erroneous. Moreover, if Islam prohibits images (statues) of people, animals and any creatures of Allah, then what about the use of a symbol for Islam?

But there are some established rules that explain where the crescent moon should point for Muslims? There are rules, but only for minarets in some Islamic states. It is believed that the lower edge of the crescent should be turned towards Mecca. Although at the same time there are mosques where the horns of the crescent moon look into the sky. This only confirms that there are no strict regulations!

Almost every tourist who has visited the Small Mosque of the Khan’s Palace hastens to ask the question with surprise: “What is the Star of David doing in a Muslim mosque?”
The six-pointed star or hexagram is one of the most ancient signs, which has been found in various cultures since the Bronze Age. Performing decorative functions, a star (two triangles superimposed on each other in the opposite direction) is found in stone carvings, wood, in the design of manuscripts, etc. In Indian philosophy, a six-petalled flower is the sacred Svadhisthana chakra, in medieval Europe it is very popular a magical symbol that was depicted in books on occultism and magic. The six-pointed star among the Slavs was called the “Star of Veles” and was depicted on various religious and everyday objects.
The blue hexagram today is most often identified with the Jews. According to legend, the shape of the shields of King David's army was in the shape of a hexagram. The Blue Star of David has become the central symbol on the Israeli national flag.
But even in the Islamic world, the six-pointed star is one of the earliest symbols: it is the Seal of Suleiman, the legendary ancient ruler who wore a ring that allowed him to understand the language of animals and birds and control the genies. It was also placed on flags: for example, on the flag of one of the ancient Turkic Anatolian dynasties - the Karamans, who subjugated them in the 14th century. Central and Southern Anatolia.
In general, the number 6, the image of a six-petal flower or a six-pointed star have a special meaning and many interpretations in Sufism. Performing the function of a powerful amulet against evil forces, such a star is found in all types of Islamic art. In the architecture of the Khan's Palace and in the ethnography of the Crimean Tatars we find many such examples. The hexagram is here in the stone carvings on the tombstones of the Khan’s cemetery, in the complex geometric patterns of wooden ceilings, in the design of handwritten books and Korans, in bronze and copper dishes, in jewelry and embroidery. But most of all, the stained glass windows of the Small Palace Mosque (located above the mihrab) and the Great Palace Mosque (located outside, from the Khan’s cemetery) attract attention.