Falconry in Macedonian history

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  • Bratot
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2008
    • 2855

    Falconry in Macedonian history

    The Representations of Predatory Birds in the Cultural Heritage of Macedonia


    The predatory birds present in the pictorial and archaeological artifacts are not a prerogative of one country. These motifs can be found in a large chronological and territorial range. At the same time it should be noted that birds such as falcons and eagles, often acquire symbolical, hierarchal and even religious meaning in the process of artistic elaboration. Thus, if interpreting, we are obliged to reconsider all these possibilities.

    However, the representations of predatory birds in the material culture of one particular land/country could direct toward their real presence during the prehistoric and historic periods, as well as toward their popularity among the population.
    The presence of falcon and eagle images in the material culture from Republic of Macedonia can be traced back to prehistoric times. On this occasion we will give a brief survey which will include only one part of the artifacts originating from this territory.



    Cleopatra 7



    Coin of Ptolemy II (285-246 B.C.)



    Coin of Ptolemy VI (180-164 B.C.)




    Alexander the Great



    One of the first representations of a predatory bird (eagle) can be seen on the coins of the Paeonian ruler Audoleon (315-286/5 BC). The bird is depicted standing on the arm of the supreme deity Zeus. The very same reverse design will be applied on the coins of the Macedonian rulers (Alexander III, Ptolemy I). Although in this case the eagle represents an attribute of the deity, as well as an imperial emblem, its presence can be intertwined with the fauna species of the time, as well as with the anthropomorphic background of the pantheon i.e. the humanization of the gods.


    Symbol of Macedonian Dynasty in Eastern Roman Empire








    Fig. 2 – plates from the sarcophagus from the Samuil`c church of St. Achilles, Prespa Lake, c.986-900

    Another representation of predatory birds (falcons or eagles) can be seen on the plates of the sarcophagus discovered in the deaconicon of the Samuil`s church of St. Achilles on the Prespa Lake. These plates are dated in 986-900. It is interesting that within these compositions the birds are depicted attacking animals (a camel in one, and a water bird in the other case). It must be noted that the iconography of the plates surely possessed some religious and symbolical meaning, but it should also be emphasized that the gesture of the predatory birds indicates a real and objective behavior of these birds while hunting. Thus, we can suppose that the artist observed these birds in his environment, whether wild or “domesticated”.




    Fig. 4 – Altar plates from St. Sophia, Ohrid, c.1037-1045




    The practice of depicting eagles/falcons in the religious art repeats in the two parapetted marble plates from the altar of the church St. Sophia in Ohrid, which are dated c.1037-1045. In these examples the birds are represented in the moment of raising or carrying a plunder. On the first marble plate the bird carries a snake, which can be interpreted as a symbolical Christian motif, while on the second plate the claws hold a rabbit.
    Again, although primarily symbolical, these compositions possess profound artistic elaboration which speaks of some kind of direct observing of the birds behavior or possible falconry activities.

    This is the first visual display of "Serbian" state flag of Tsar Dushan (I opened a special thread about him HERE ):


    Ово је први ликовни приказ српске државне заставе. Поморска карта Ангелина Дулцерта из 1339. године, на пергаменту из два спојена дела (1020мм/750мм) садржи вињете градова, од којих су неке са заставама. Рађена је у више боја и производ је каталонске радионице картографа са Мајорке. На усправном копљишту које се завршава куглом , постављена је застави изнад града Скопља. На жутом квадратном пољу, насликан је црвени двоглави орао раширених крила. (Графика заставе је рађена на основу црно-бијеле слике карте и описа боја заставе из „МЦЈ-Средњовековне карте“ Народна књига Београд, 1979. године, а карта се чува у Bibliotheque national, Paris,Department des cartes et plans, Res. –Ge.B.696).
    Nice yellow-red colors huh?





    Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski:



    Fig. 5 – golden earrings from Crkvishte, Gorno Orizari – Kocani, XIV century


    The eagle or falcon motif is present even in the secular material culture of the medieval period in Macedonia. There exists a large repertoire of depictions of these birds on media such as jewelry, especially on rings and on some luxurious specimens of earrings. All these finds are dated between the XI-XV centuries and mostly represent grave offerings. Thus, it becomes clear that they belonged to concrete individuals. Whether their depiction was result of fashion, religious or hierarch signalization, still it should be noted that scholars leave an open possibility that the medieval jewelry in general, could indicate a corporation membership.


    Macedonian Emblem 1525 as Coat of Arms and a Seal of the Macedonian Zhupan - Volk Makedonski



    Macedonian Mijak famillies flags 18th Century:























    References and illustrations: V. Lilčić, Antiquity, in Macedonian Cultural Heritage, Skopje, 1995, 46-89, 50; Н. Sheldarov, V. Lilčić, Kings of Antique Macedonia and their monets / coins in Republic of Macedonia, Skopje 1994, 64; P. Miljković-Pepek, Medieval Decorative Sculpture in Stone and Metal, in Macedonian National Treasures, Skopje, 1989, 199-210; Н. Chausidis, Dualistick paintings, Skopje, 2003, 273-275; Heaven on Earth – Art and the Church in Byzantium, ed. By Linda Safran, Pennsylvania, 2002, 200





    With his brother Aaron, Samoil went to the court of the German Emperor to congratulate him on Easter and ask for political support. As befits a guest, probably as a gift he took something, and the host also has responded. Namely, in the museum in Würzburg kept a silk curtain, which is presented eagle flight of Alexander of Macedon. The curtain depicting two eagles whom Alexander (Christian symbol) on his head a golden crown placed three crosses! We do not know whether it was a gift to the German king, but could imagine!


    In progress
    Last edited by Bratot; 07-26-2010, 06:48 PM.
    The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot
  • Bratot
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2008
    • 2855

    #2
    Falcon as a symbol of Macedonian folklore:


    Море, сокол пие вода на Вардарот

    Море, сокол пие вода на Вардаро.
    Море, сокол пие вода на Вардаро.
    Јане, Јане ле бело грло.
    Јане, Јане ле кротко јагне.

    Море, ој соколе, ти јуначко пиле
    Море нели виде јунак да премине.
    Јане, Јане ле бело грло.
    Јане, Јане ле кротко јагне.

    Јунак да премине с девет лути рани.
    с девет лути рани, сите куршумлии.
    Јане, Јане ле бело грло.
    Јане, Јане ле кротко јагне.

    А десета рана со нож е прободена.
    А десета рана со нож е прободена.
    Јане, Јане ле бело грло.
    Јане, Јане ле кротко јагне.

    Кога падна на Пирина

    Кога падна на Пирина
    ранет Јане Сандански,
    долетеја три сокола
    и на Јане збореја:
    Ајде Јане, со нас појди,
    ние лек ќе најдиме.

    Мајка Македонија
    за таков јунак лек ќе најде. x2

    Први сокол ќе те носи
    долу крај Вардара.

    Втори сокол ќе те носи
    дур на Белото море.

    Трети сокол ќе те носи
    горе в Пирин планина.


    Белким ти ќе оздравиш
    Македонија да ослободиш. x2

    Ој те, вие три сокола,
    срце луто сум ранет.
    Остајте ме тук да умрам,
    мене лек не лекува.
    Македонија други ќе роди,
    ќе ја ослободат.
    Мајко Македонијо,
    други да раѓаш,
    да те ослободат! x2

    Сокол ми лета високо

    Сокол ми лета високо,
    Мори девојко,
    Сокол ми лета високо.

    Над таја града Кукуша,
    Мори девојко,
    Над таја града Кукуша.

    Над Делчевите дворови,
    Мори девојко,
    Над Делчевите дворови.

    Делчево либе убаво,
    Мори девојко,
    Делчево либе убаво.

    Рамни дворови метеше,
    Мори девојко,
    Рамни доворови метеше.

    И дробни солзи ронеше,
    Мори девојко,
    И дробни солзи ронеше.

    Дека е Гоце загинал,
    Мори девојко,
    Дека е Гоце загинал.

    Во тоа село Баница,
    Мори девојко.
    За жална Македонија.

    Назад, назад, Калино моме

    Назад, назад, Калино моме,
    немој да одиш по мене.
    Кај нас си има висока гора,
    не ќе можеш да ја поминеш.
    Кај нас си има висока гора,
    не ќе можеш да ја поминеш.

    Ќе се сторам јас сокол пиле
    и пак кај тебе ќе дојдам.
    Гора ќе прелетам,
    кај тебе ќе дојдам,
    вечно твоја ќе бидам.
    Гора ќе прелетам,
    кај тебе ќе дојдам,
    вечно твоја ќе бидам.

    Назад, назад, Калино моме,
    немој да одиш по мене.
    Кај нас си има длабока река,
    не ќе можеш да ја поминеш.
    Кај нас си има длабока река,
    не ќе можеш да ја поминеш.

    Ќе се сторам јас мрена риба
    и пак кај тебе ќе дојдам.
    Река ќе препливам,
    кај тебе ќе дојдам,
    вечно твоја ќе бидам.
    Река ќе препливам,
    кај тебе ќе дојдам,
    вечно твоја ќе бидам.

    Назад, назад, Калино моме,
    немој да одиш по мене.
    Кај нас си имам убава жена
    и две мали дечиња.
    Кај нас си имам убава жена
    и две мали дечиња.

    Ќе се сторам јас црна чума
    и пак кај тебе ќе дојдам.
    Жена ќе ти сотрам,
    дечиња ќе гледам,
    вечно твоја ќе бидам.
    Жена ќе ти сотрам,
    дечиња ќе гледам,
    вечно твоја ќе бидам.


    The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

    Comment

    • TrueMacedonian
      Senior Member
      • Jan 2009
      • 3810

      #3
      Good topic Bratot. When I have more time later I will post more.
      Slayer Of The Modern "greek" Myth!!!

      Comment

      • Onur
        Senior Member
        • Apr 2010
        • 2389

        #4
        Sorry if i am hijacking your thread Bratot because you named it as "Macedonian history" but i wanna show a different perspective;


        The predator bird, falcon is also the symbol of common Turkish/Hungarian mythology. For Turkish mythology, falcon is the second most important symbol after wolf but for the Hungarians, falcon is their primary symbol. These were most likely the representative images of these tribes. Wolf for the Turks, falcon for the Magyars.


        I can only post the information in Wikipedia atm but it seems reliable with the quotes from books;

        Turul



        Hungarian art: Turul bird(9th century)






        The Turul is the most important mythological bird of the origin myth of the Magyars(Hungarian people). It is a messenger of god in Hungarian mythology, who sits on top of the tree of life along with the other spirits of unborn children in the form of birds.

        The Turul is probably a large falcon, and the origin of the word is most likely Turkic(togril or turgul means a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, Goshawk or Red Kite). In Hungarian the word sólyom means falcon, and there are three ancient words describing different kinds of falcons: kerecsen(saker), zongor[Turkish Sungur = Gyr Falcon](lives in the male name Zsombor) and turul.

        Based upon ancient Hungarian tradition, the royal house of Hun(garian)s (the kings of Huns and the later Hungarians) bears the name of Turul clan(original Latin: genere Turul, later called by the name Arpad house also), what descents from the wise and just king Nimrod, the first king on Earth.



        Golden tamga(the name of tribal symbols in Turks and Hungarians) of Turul from the Khazar Empire era around 7th century. Treasure of Nagyszentmiklós.


        Representation
        The Turul represents the god's power and will. The Turul was seen as the ancestor of Attila, and it was also the symbol of the Huns. The Hungarian Turul is often represented carrying the flaming Sword of God (sword of Attila).

        The authentic representation of the Turul is always with a crown. It cannot be linked directly to the Holy Crown of Hungary, but more to the crown of Attila, as by ancient heritage, Attila is considered as first king of Hungary, as written in Chronicon Pictum and in other codexes.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turul


        Hungarian people calls this falcon symbol as "Turul" but it`s a Turkish word meaning "medium sized predatory bird, falcon". Turul, Tugrul was also the tamga(symbol) of the Hun Empire of Attila and it`s also a common male name both in Hungary and Turkey today.

        BUT, things get further complicated because actually "Turul" is not a turkish originated word. It seems that we also took it from Etruscan language.

        Check this out;

        Turan (mythology)

        Turan was the Etruscan goddess of love and vitality and patroness of the city of Velch. In art, she was usually depicted as a young winged girl. Turan appears in toilette scenes of Etruscan bronze mirrors. She is richly robed and jeweled in early and late depictions, but consistently appears nude under the influence of Hellenistic art in the third and second centuries BCE.

        The Etruscan month of July was named after her, although we only know the Latin word for it, Traneus.

        She was seen as the equivalent to the Roman Venus and the Greek Aphrodite. Her name is derived from the Etruscan verb turan "to rule".

        Turan had a sanctuary in the Greek-influenced Gravisca, the port for Tarquinia, where votive gifts inscribed with her name have been found. One inscription calls her Turan ati, "Mother Turan" which has been interpreted as connecting her to Venus Genetrix, Venus the mother of Aeneas and progenitor of the Julio-Claudian lineage.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turan_%28goddess%29


        It seems that the quite similar mythology existed in the Etruscans at 1200BC with the name "Turan" and shown as a girl with wings. This word is also adopted in Latin language as expected since you know the many Etruscan words was the source of Latin language. BUT it seems that the post-Etruscan era, the ancient Hellenes adopted this symbol but they deformed it with a naked girl image while keeping the same name "Turan". I think this Hellenistic period deformation can be explained by the admiration of Hellenes to the human body form instead of animal forms of Etruscans. But Hungarians and Turks preserved the animal form because of their shamanistic belief and sacredness of the animals and nature.





        Also one more interesting thing is, "Turan" means "to rule" in Etruscan.

        Now check this from the Wiki page;



        As you can see, one of the leader of Turkish Seljuk Empire and a founder of Ottoman dynasty was named as "Tugrul". The founder of Ottoman dynasty`s name was "Er-Tugrul" but "ER" is just a prefix/suffiix for few male names in Turkish meaning "man".

        Ertuğrul
        Ertuğrul(1191/1198 Ahlat – 1281 Söğüt) was the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. He was the leader of the Kayı clan of the Oghuz Turks.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ertu%C4%9Frul



        Hungarians adopted Tugrul from Turkish and as you can see here, the name of "Tugrul" later adopted by Mongols too and Mongolian Tugrul was a ruler too!!! and a protector of Genghis Khan.





        You can see other uses of the word "Turan" in Hungaria, Turkey and Azerbaijan on this Wikipedia list;







        P. S: These animal objects and symbols are most definitely related with paganism(or shamanism for Caucasus people). Since paganism symbols was strictly forbidden after conversation to christianity, so we don't know much about your pre-christianity era today. But this wasn't the case with our conversation to Islam. Shamanistic rituals was also considered as sin in Islam but it wasn't the "work of devil" as considered in christianity. So, for every new christian converts, it was required to destroy their former pagan objects but the Turks didn't erase all of it and we still know the details of pre-11th century Turkish shamanism and symbols like this Turul, Turan and tree of life myths.
        Last edited by Onur; 07-26-2010, 10:12 PM.

        Comment

        • Bratot
          Senior Member
          • Sep 2008
          • 2855

          #5
          Onur,

          it is earliest suggested the double headed eagle to be in use by the Hittities who inhabited exactly the Minor Asia region.




          also the Seljuk Turks after conquering most of the former Persian empire have adopted this symbol.

          But I would appreciate if we keep our focus mainly on Macedonian tradition since that was the purpose of this thread.

          Thanks,
          M
          The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

          Comment

          • Bratot
            Senior Member
            • Sep 2008
            • 2855

            #6
            This is one of the versions of Byzantine (Roman) two-headed eagle which is located at Plaoshnik, Ohrid.




            Macedonian version has two swords, Byzantine Cross as a shield on his chest and a royal crown on his head.
            This symbol today is almost forgotten among us, it's in use only by the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
            The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

            Comment

            • Bratot
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2008
              • 2855

              #7


              KINGS of MACEDON. Perseus. 179-168 BC

              Ox: Helmeted head of the hero Perseus right; harpa to right

              Rx: Eagle standing left, head right, on thunderbolt : B A P E around
              The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

              Comment

              • Bratot
                Senior Member
                • Sep 2008
                • 2855

                #8
                bird: imperial eagle - Aquila heliaca



                Last edited by Bratot; 07-27-2010, 02:40 AM.
                The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

                Comment

                • Bratot
                  Senior Member
                  • Sep 2008
                  • 2855

                  #9
                  The reverse of a bronze coin of Amyntas III of Macedonia showing an eagle attacking a snake

                  The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

                  Comment

                  • Bratot
                    Senior Member
                    • Sep 2008
                    • 2855

                    #10


                    Alex the Great

                    Ptolemaic Soter

                    The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

                    Comment

                    • Bratot
                      Senior Member
                      • Sep 2008
                      • 2855

                      #11
                      2 Enoch, or the Slavonic Apocalypse of Enoch, was written late first century C.E. in Egypt by a Jew.

                      WTF?

                      The second Dream-Vision in this section of the Book of Enoch is an allegorical account of the history of Israel, that uses animals to represent human beings and human beings to represent angels.

                      Sheep are the faithful; Rams are leaders; Herds are the tribes of Israel; Wild Asses are Ishmael, and his descendants including the Midianites; Wild Boars are Esau and his descendants, Edom and Amalek; Bears (Hyenas/Wolves in Ethiopic) are the Egyptians; Dogs are Philistines; Tigers are Arimathea; Hyenas are Assyrians; Ravens (Crows) are Seleucids (Syrians); Kites are Ptolemies; Eagles are possibly Macedonians; Foxes are Ammonites and Moabites;

                      All the (Macedonians) and vultures and (Seleucids) and (Ptolemies) were gathered together, and there came with them all the sheep of the field, yea, they all came together, and helped each other to break that horn of the ram

                      The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

                      Comment

                      • Toska
                        Member
                        • Sep 2008
                        • 137

                        #12


                        thats my tat of the eagle on my back, ive always been taught the eagle is been apart of our history.

                        Comment

                        • Bratot
                          Senior Member
                          • Sep 2008
                          • 2855

                          #13
                          Coat of Arms of Alexander the Great - second from left. Silver Griphin on black shield



                          The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

                          Comment

                          • TrueMacedonian
                            Senior Member
                            • Jan 2009
                            • 3810

                            #14
                            Ok Bratot after reviewing your evidence I have a few questions.

                            1) Was the Eagle a big part of the peasant (average) class in Macedonia?
                            2) Do you consider the predatory bird dispalyed in this topic as something that has followed into the modern Macedonians time?
                            3) Could it be that the predatory bird was nothing more than symbology for the elite?
                            4) Was the act of 'Falconry' itself widespread in Macedonia? Or was it game only for the upper, educated classes? And is this a widespread tradition in Macedonia today?
                            Slayer Of The Modern "greek" Myth!!!

                            Comment

                            • Bratot
                              Senior Member
                              • Sep 2008
                              • 2855

                              #15
                              Полет Александра Великого.


                              Далее, такой же поступок приписывается в русских сказаниях царю Соломону, а в иерусалимском талмуде — Александру Великому, которые на орлах или грифах летали на троне к небу.
                              Сказание о полете Александра Великого отразилось во многих произведениях искусства, где описан этот эпизод. Вот как рассказано об его опыте в очерке, появившемся в III веке до Р. X. — «Александр приказал запречь в трон четырех сильных птиц, которым три дня не давали есть. Он сам сел на трон и высоко поднял два копья, на которых были привязаны куски мяса.

                              Птицы, стремясь к последнему, подняли на воздух трон с Александром. На большой высоте Александру встретилась птица с лицом человека и приказала ему вернуться на землю. Когда Александр взглянул вниз, он, глубоко под собой, увидел громадную, свернувшуюся в кольцо змею и в центре кольца маленький помост.



                              Рис. 21. Полет Александра Македонского на птицах к небу

                              Птица объяснила ему, что змея есть море, а помост — земля, окруженная морем.
                              По приказанию птицы Александр опустил копья, и птицы полетели вниз и благополучно спустили его на землю, но так далеко от места взлета, что ему лишь с большим трудом удалось достичь своего войска». Полет Александра Великого на небо изображен в разное время в разных произведениях искусства. На рис. 21 показана миниатюра из мюнхенской рукописи XIV века (Enikels «Weltchronik)». На рис. 22 показана еще подобная же миниатюра 1320 года. На рис. 23 изображен рельеф на римских воротах церкви в Ремачене на Рейне, на рис. 24 рельеф в базилике св. Марка в Венеции, на рис. 25 изображена вышивка на полушелковой материи исполненная в Регензбурге (южная Германия) в 13-м веке (из музея в Крефелде).



                              Рис. 22. Полет Александра Македонского на птицах к небу. (Миниатюра 1320 г.).





                              Рис. 23. Полет Александра Македонского. (Рельеф на римских воротах церкви в Ремачене на Рейне).






                              Рис. 24. Полет Александра Македонского. (Рельеф в базилике С.Марко в Венеции)



                              Рис. 25. Полет Александра Македонского. (Вышивка в музее в Крефельде).




                              Please translate this Russian text via Google
                              The purpose of the media is not to make you to think that the name must be changed, but to get you into debate - what name would suit us! - Bratot

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