Vergina Sun

The Star of Vergina, a sechzehnstrahliges sun symbol ( the English name Vergina sun is therefore correct ), according to the Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos was the emblem of the Macedonian royal dynasty at the time of Philip II and Alexander the Great.

History of the discovery

The symbol of the Star of Vergina was discovered in 1978 during archaeological excavations in the eponymous royal tombs in the Greek region of Macedonia. The Greek post ELTA expended twice a stamp with the Star of Vergina, in 1979 and 1992, the National Bank of Greece 1990 coin. As 1987, the regions of Greece was abolished (later re-introduced ), a flag bearing the Star of Vergina in gold on a blue background became the identity- sign of the Greek Macedonians. Given that the Greek government fail - interpreted this as separatist step, the flag never gained official status, but also reached into official use, eg use two units of the Greek armed forces, the symbol on a sign in their flag.

The Star of Vergina was part of the first, from Greece unrecognized flag of the state of Macedonia, but was replaced after protests in Greece, which claimed the star also as a national symbol by an eight-rayed sun.

Greece in 1995 at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO ), the exclusive international rights for the Star of Vergina claimed.

Historical derivation

The identification as an emblem is justified by Manolis Andronikos with the accumulation of the symbol in the grave context. In addition to the sechzehnstrahligen star on the large ash box there is a zwölfstrahligen - as " rank" interpreted - star on the small ash box ( which is regarded as belonging to a widow ), diving remains the symbol also found on shields. In addition, the star appeared frequently on Hellenistic coins and shields. Considerable doubts about the identification as " emblem " offers the wide distribution of similar " star " with different numbers of rays in both the Greek and non-Greek art as a simple ornament pattern, the symbol appeared, among others, on the shoulder of a warrior on an Athenian grave stele on. Accordingly, the "Star of Vergina " nothing more than a more or less randomly chosen from the craftsman decor. In stark contrast to the scientifically dubious interpretation which is the symbol of the Republic of Macedonia and Greece metered value.