Monday, April 9, 2012

Taphophile Tragics # 16


This funerary symbol can be found in the old Jewish area of Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, just off Necropolis Drive, close to the intersection with William Lane. This is a Jewish symbol known as Kohanin, representing the members of the priestly tribe of Aaron. There are a range of spellings, eg Cohn, and Cohen. Hands in this formation are a priestly blessing. This symbol was adapted for use in 'Star Trek' where it became the Vulcan salute, meaning 'live long and prosper'. However, in this use, it was single handed.

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Welcome to the 16th week of Taphophile Tragics.

Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs, and link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+10). When you can, please visit the other contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours. Due to time zone variations and overcrowded schedules, some contributions are made later than Tuesday/Wednesday.

So we are continuing with the Linky with thumbnails, and displaying the oldest entry first, with no randomising.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

What a wonderful weathered detail! Thank you for the information, Julie, it's really interesting.

Halcyon said...

I had no idea about the symbol. Very interesting photo and post!

Gemma Wiseman said...

So very beautifully weathered! The symbol has a sense of a soul being complete and reaching upward as a pyramid. I have not seen this before either! Fascinating!

Gemma Wiseman said...

I've tried several times but the Link won't link, although I can click on JM's link "space" and view his post! But his link has no thumbnail. I'll return later to try to link up!

Julie said...

My apologies, folks.

I actually have no idea what the issue is/was. Last night Jose's link was fine, but not so this morning.

I have gone out to the Linky site and reestablished all the criteria. It is laborious and very clunky for some reason. But ...

I got my own post linked, and eventually with a thumbnail.

I will monitor the link as this morning progresses.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Thanks Julie! I run 2 memes and know that these links can be an unpredictable headache at times!

Sondra said...

HOW cool!!!!! I had no idea that the Vulcan Sign came from a Jewish symbol...very interesting...
I had some problems with the linking, but in the end I think it worked. Im linking a post I made last yr as rather than repost it.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Interesting post with a nice shot illustrating it, Julie. By coincidence I have also posted ont he Jewish section of Melbourne Cemetery.

SeaThreePeeO said...

The first thing I thought about when seeing this picture was Star Trek. Fantastic photograph, I really love the colour and texture of this stone.

Sorry for my absence lately, but I have been busy with my newest little taphophile, baby Jessica.

Herding Cats

http://seathreepeeo.blogspot.com

Francisca said...

Ah, it's news to me too about the link between this funerary symbal and the Vulcan salute. Julie, can I laugh at the name Necropolis Drive...? I'm late to this party as the firewall makes my posting process soooo sloooow.

VioletSky said...

I like all the red leeching through on this stone.
(and it seem I was in such a hurry to get home and put up my post that I forgot to link - wondered why no one was visiting...!)

Maude Lynn said...

That is so interesting!

Ann said...

That's fascinating about the Star Trek sign.

Nellies said...

Dear Julie, what a beautiful photo you have this week. I would never have thought these two hands have a religious meaning. And the red colors are very beautiful.
And finally I have been able to join Taphophile Tragics. I will try my best to join more often!

CaT said...

now its almost wednesday in boston too. but it managed in time...
tim is complaining, so i have to go! i check out the other posts tomorrow..as usual.. :)

Julie said...

Aha ... I have been more organised this week, friends, and have visited everyone by the end of Wednesday already.

I am sooo chuffed about the variety and interest of what you are posting to this meme.

Thank you.

CaT said...

so. i finally read your post here! (last night i was too tired). how funny is that!! im not interested in star trek, but this is a very cool factoid so that i have something to contribute when people speak about star trek (hahahahaha).
now i have to look whether i ever saw this symbol on jewish cemeteries around here. not that i can remember... but maybe i just didnt pay attention!
you are right, she was named morse, not morfe. i found some more things about the cemetery and this stone. now i cant wait till its next week, haha!

Gene said...

Great example of the Kohanim hands. This one has a lot of depth, and the lichens growing on it add some color.

Other symbols to look for in Jewish cemeteries are a water pitcher, which is a symbol of a Levite (responsible for cleaning the hands of the temple priest) or a lion (tribe of Judah). http://blog.ouroakland.net/2012/01/home-of-peace-cemetery.html

Julie said...

ooo .... on to it, Gene. I am out at Rookwood again at the beginning of May.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

"The Paw Relations" suggested I link to your event--very glad to join in! I do volunteer work at a historical cemetery in Brooklyn, NY so I blog about it fairly frequently. I enjoyed reading about the symbolism in the monument you selected.