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CROWN OF IMMORTALITY
SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA
Circle of stars
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.
European Union
Since the circle of twelve stars was chosen as the flag of the European Union, it
has been suggested that the motif was chosen, deliberately or subconsciously,
as a representation of, or reference to, Mary, something which could be
potentially offensive to the significant Protestant, Muslim, atheist, and Jewish
populations of the EU.The European Union has always denied this; many other
flags show similar circles of stars. All the same, flag designer Arsène Heitz has
acknowledged that the Book of Revelation, which, in turn, is the source for the
mentioned twelve-star halo of the Virgin Mary, did help to inspire him
Zodiac
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.
A star circle halo is found on a ceiling fresco in anAnnunciation Church located in
Fuchstal, aMunicipality of theBavarian district of Landsberg, Germany.
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