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The Seal Of Solomon

The Seal of Solomon:
The seal was developed as symbol of unity and family at the suggestion from one of Solomon's wives. Each symbol within the seal holds a special meaning. From our research, this is the general meaning of each object. Some see this seal as one of the first magikal sigils in recorded history. I'm not so sure of that claim, but ok.

The star at the bottom of the seal (also known as the Star of David) represents the land of Israel which was built from the reign of David and established to it's glory during the reign of Solomon.

There is some debate about the meaning of the small crescent moon, and the two small pyramids on either side just above the smaller Star of David. Some scholars suggest it is a symbol of Solomon's kingdom, a tribute to his winning battles to conquer his enemies. Others suggest it is an alliance, a tribute to the ancestry of his most beloved wife who was reportedly from a foreign soil. The star at the top of the seal represents the Divine hand, the God of Israel. The two lines that fall from the lower tips of the star are reportedly the representation of the divine light shinning down on Israel and the realm of King Solomon.

King Solomon: (960? BC).
King of Israel when he was a young boy, Solomon is considered to be one of the most magnificent kings in history. He succeeded his father, David, to the thrown and began his rule of the most powerful and wealthiest kingdom in that time. The southern border of his kingdom began in Egypt and ran north to the Euphrates River.

According to the Christian Bible, God appeared to Solomon in a dream. Solomon asked God for understanding in his heart and mind so that he could rule his kingdom with true justice and honor. God granted the prayer and Solomon became a great King not only to his own subjects, but as consultant to other rulers who came to ask his advice. Kings, Princes and dignitaries from many other lands brought friendship and gifts to the Israeli king to form alliances and gain his favor.

The famous queen of Sheba brought a caravan of gifts containing spices, gold and gemstones to honor Solomon. She questioned him and provided him with much entertainment with her many riddles. Again the Christian bible foretells Shebas' declaring to Solomon, "Behold, the half was not told me, thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard."

As the story is told, Solomon conquered many lands and over-lords to carry out his father's plan of creating a temple dedicated to Jehovah. It took seven years to build the temple of stone and cedar, with carvings overladen with gold. In the center of the temple is stands a marble and tile mosque known as the Dome of the Rock, which became a focal point for worship in Israel. The ruins of the temple of day are barely noticeable due to the destruction and reconstruction of Israel. The Muslims have recapture part of the land and have build their own mosques for Muhammad. Both mosques sit on what is commonly called the Temple Mount or the Haram. The western boundary of the Haram is the Western Wall which is the retaining wall of Solomon's Temple. What we know as the Wailing Wall.

Solomon built many other temples in his kingdom as well as this special one, but these were dedicated to other deities. These temples and altars were primarily created for the Kings' many foreign wives who did not share in the beliefs of Israel. These additional temples created a very diverse religious kingdom, and many Israeli's in his court held great animosity for these deeds. In their mind, it deprived Israel of a uniformed belief that had once been a great asset of strength to the kingdom. In addition, Solomon over taxed his subjects to maintain much of these luxurious temples, altars and his own palace which was adjoined to the Temple of Jehovah.

Presumably, it was during this time of rest of indulgence that Solomon recorded his collection of love poems, which many have come to know as the Song of Solomon. In actuality, the Song is really a collection of 5 poems, that describe the fall of Jerusalem, the reign of Israel and the love of his favorite wife. It is in this final poem that Solomon declares the vastness of his love, which covers the mountains of Amana (the mountains of truth) to the borders of Babylon. The mountain Amana was so called to honor a much earlier physician who was in the service of an Egyptian Pharaoh during the 5th Dynasty; his name was Amanacus.

The Story of King Solomon's Mine
Is it a myth or did it really exist? The legend of King Solomon's mine is based in part on the wealth of his kingdom, but can attributed to the writhings of Henry Rider Haggard, (1856-1925). Haddard was a British Novelist who's works included "King Solomon's Mines" and "Allan Quartermain". Both books foretell of a great treasure of gold and wealth hidden in a mine deep in the jungles of Africa.

If legends are based on truth, then the wealth of Solomon's kingdom is part of that truth. During his reign, Solomon received many of his riches as gifts from other kingdoms. Most of these gifts were delivered to his kingdom through the Phoenician mariners. These sailors were great merchants and traders of the world, who worked in the silver mines of Spain, or on the British Isles for tin and even ventured to the southern coast of Africa. Originally from the Syrian coast, the Phoenicians founded many colonies around the Mediterranean and European ports. The greatest of these was Carthage.

From Carthage the legends of the Phoenicians grew. Not only were they renowned mariners, but they were famed craftsman as well. Metal, glass and cloth work became part of their trades. They developed the purple-dye industry in their colony known as Tyre and the glass industry in Sidon. The established relations with the Hebrews, and King Solomon called upon the King of Phoenicia when the time came to build his famed temple for Jehovah.

It is this close relationship between Phoenicia and Solomon that created the legend of the mines. As the story goes, Solomon hired the Phoenicians for the delicate craftsmanship of carving and inlaying the temple with pure gold. The gold was mined in Africa and shipped to Israel by the Phoenicians. When the temple was complete, Solomon continued his dealings with Phoenicia for the gold being mined. This gold and many of the treasures Solomon received from African kingdoms were stockpiled inside the mine itself, until it was ready for shipment to Israel.

However, after Solomon built his temple to Jehovah, he began to fall out of favor with his subjects. His character came under question as he created the altars and temples to other deities for his many wives. Out of fear for his wealth and the stability of his own fortune, Solomon stopped the shipments from Africa, but the work continued. the Phoenicians continued to stockpile his treasures inside the unused or fully tapped chambers of the mine. Reportedly, the legend continues, these shipments were never delivered to Israel and still lay unclaimed within the caverns of King Solomon's Mines.



Source: 1, m1, m4, m5, m7, m8, m9, m10, m13, m14, m16, m18, m19, m23, m24, m25, m36