The rosette symbol in the Ancient Near East : an iconographic approach

Abstract

My interests lie in the occurrence of rosettes found in many places and cultures in the ancient Near East. My aim was to research and interpret the various iconographic instances where the rosette symbol is depicted within a historical and archaeological context. The primary objective was to investigate the value and significance of the rosette as a symbol. The research comprised the collection, iconographic analyses, and iconological interpretation of the Bronze and Iron Age rosettes in Egypt and the ancient Near East. In this research an iconographical approach as well as a multi-disciplinary approach were followed. The archaeological material was adapted to a qualitative iconographical and comparative methodology. The main research questions were: What was the symbolic meaning of the rosette? How was the rosette portrayed in different artefacts, in different areas and at different times in the ancient Near East? Why did royalty and deities from different ancient civilizations of the Near East, and over different time spans, make use of rosettes as one of their symbols? An iconological approach (by using Panofsky's model) illuminated the important role and symbolism of the rosette in the ancient Near East. A comparative approach to explore the significance and occurrence of the rosette symbol in the various ancient Near Eastern regions also helped to enlighten the origin, meaning and significance of the rosette symbol. My objective was to research the rosette on an intra- and inter-regional basis in order to establish similarities, differences, and trends in perception within a region and then between regions. These regions are Egypt, Sumer, Assyria, Babylon, Anatolia and Persia. The primary sources are illustrations of rosette designs on artworks and artefacts, as it is an iconographical research. The rosette image was found on diadems, palaces, royal clothing, seals, jewellery, vessels, tombs, winged spiritual beings, divinity, sanctuaries and temples. With the aid of the multi-disciplinary approach my goals and my main questions have been answered. The symbol was probably used for divine protection and divine fertility. The origin can most likely be traced back to the sun and Ishtar with her Venus star.