Original scientific paper

The Iconography and Symbols of Triads and the Trinity on Coins

Robert Smajlagić ; Croatian numismatic society, Zagreb, CRO

Abstract

The author examines symbolic and iconographic presentations of triads and the Trinity on coins. He gives a wide list of well-known triads. He explains the blending of religious concepts on Malta and neighbouring islands and how they were shown on the coins of the time. He explains relations within the Palmyra Triad: Ba'alshamin, Aglibol and Malakbel,
and shows coins with their iconographic and symbolic presentation, previously unknown or insufficiently emphasised. In the author’s view some specimens minted under the Parthian emperors Orodes II and Phraates IV symbolically show the Palmyra Triad. Furthermore, he shows the Chaldean and Capitoline Triad on coins, and Celtic coins with iconographic and symbolical presentations of the Trinity. The author writes about the Celtic “obsession” with trinities and presumes that the coins of the Remo tribe, showing three male figures, could be a presentation of an unknown or unrecognised trinity. He gives examples of coins with symbolical representations of triads and the Trinity expressed in the following symbols: triskelion, triket, trefoil, trident and Trinity crosses. The author shows representations of the trefoil on Slavonian banal denars, which have previously not been addressed. From the specimens studied so far, the author concludes that the trefoil was positioned on them in four different ways. He gives his
thoughts about the purpose of these symbols.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

172196

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/172196

Publication date:

1.12.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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