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The Camunian rose (; ) is the name given to a particular symbol represented among the rock carvings of Camonica Valley (Brescia, Italy). It consists of a meandering closed line that winds around nine cup marks. It can be symmetrical, asymmetrical or form a
The motif has been deeply studied by Paola Farina, who created a corpus of all the "Camunian roses" known in Val Camonica: she counted 84 "roses" engraved on 27 rocks. Three basic types have been determined:
# swastika type: the -marks make a 5 by 5 cross; the contour forms four arms that bend about 90° and every arm includes one of the top cup-marks of the cross. Sixteen “roses” of this type have been found;
# asymmetric-swastika type: the disposition of the -marks is the same as the previous; but the contour is different, because only two arms bend 90°, while the other ones join together in a single bilobate arm. There are 12 “roses” of this type;
# quadrilobate type: the -marks are aligned in three columns of three cups; the contour develops into four orthogonal and symmetric arms, and each one includes a cup-mark. It is the more widespread type of camunian rose; 56 examples exist.
Regarding the interpretation, not easy for a symbol pertaining to a lost and past culture, Paola Farina suggests that the "Camunian rose" had originally a solar meaning, which then developed into a wider meaning of a positive power, to bring life and good luck.Farina, Paola (1998). ''The motif of the “Camunnian Rose” in the Rock Art of Valcamonica (Italy)**'', TRACCE Online Rock Art Bulletin 10, May 1998
/ref> The name of the symbol, derived from its resemblance to a flower, is a modern invention. A stylized "Camunian rose" has become the symbol of the
swastika
The swastika (卐 or 卍, ) is a symbol used in various Eurasian religions and cultures, as well as a few Indigenous peoples of Africa, African and Indigenous peoples of the Americas, American cultures. In the Western world, it is widely rec ...
.
Meaning and variations
Many theories exist about its meaning: Emmanuel Anati suggests that it might symbolize a complex religious concept, perhaps a solar symbol linked to the astral movement. InVal Camonica
Val Camonica or Valcamonica (), also Valle Camonica and anglicized as Camonica Valley, is one of the largest valleys of the central Alps, in eastern Lombardy, Italy. It extends about from the Tonale Pass to Corna Trentapassi, in the c ...
this motif dates back to the Iron Age, particularly from the 7th to 1st centuries BC. Only one doubtful case is datable at the Final Bronze Age
The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...
(1,100 BC). These figures are placed mainly in the Middle Camonica Valley (Capo di Ponte, Foppe of Nadro, Sellero, Ceto and Paspardo), but numerous cases are in the Low Valley too (Darfo Boario Terme
Darfo Boario Terme (Camunian dialect, Camunian: ) is a ''comune'' in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, northern Italy. The name combines Darfo, the ''capoluogo'', with Boario Terme, the largest ''frazione''.
It is bounded by the communes of ...
and Esine).
The motif has been deeply studied by Paola Farina, who created a corpus of all the "Camunian roses" known in Val Camonica: she counted 84 "roses" engraved on 27 rocks. Three basic types have been determined:
# swastika type: the -marks make a 5 by 5 cross; the contour forms four arms that bend about 90° and every arm includes one of the top cup-marks of the cross. Sixteen “roses” of this type have been found;
# asymmetric-swastika type: the disposition of the -marks is the same as the previous; but the contour is different, because only two arms bend 90°, while the other ones join together in a single bilobate arm. There are 12 “roses” of this type;
# quadrilobate type: the -marks are aligned in three columns of three cups; the contour develops into four orthogonal and symmetric arms, and each one includes a cup-mark. It is the more widespread type of camunian rose; 56 examples exist.
Regarding the interpretation, not easy for a symbol pertaining to a lost and past culture, Paola Farina suggests that the "Camunian rose" had originally a solar meaning, which then developed into a wider meaning of a positive power, to bring life and good luck./ref> The name of the symbol, derived from its resemblance to a flower, is a modern invention. A stylized "Camunian rose" has become the symbol of the
Lombardy
The Lombardy Region (; ) is an administrative regions of Italy, region of Italy that covers ; it is located in northern Italy and has a population of about 10 million people, constituting more than one-sixth of Italy's population. Lombardy is ...
region and is featured on its flag.
See also
*Camunni
The Camuni or Camunni were an ancient population located in Val Camonica during the Iron Age (1st millennium BC); the Latin name ''Camunni'' was attributed to them by the authors of the 1st century. They are also called ancient Camuni, to disting ...
* Rock Drawings in Valcamonica
* Looped square
The looped square (⌘), also known as Saint John's Arms, Saint Hannes cross (related to Swedish , Danish , and Finnish ), and as the command-key symbol due to its use on the command key on Apple computer keyboards, is a symbol consisting o ...
* Swastika Stone
* Lauburu
* Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century
References
Bibliography
* * Farina, Paola (1998). ''La “rosa camuna” nell’arte rupestre della Valcamonica'', NAB, 6, pp. 185–205.External links
* * {{cite web, url=http://www.rupestre.net/tracce/?p=1366, title=Farina, Paola (1997). ''The "Camunnian Rose", Valcamonica Rock Art'', TRACCE Online Rock Art Bulletin 7, May 1997 , date=12 May 1997 , accessdate=2014-11-26 Symbols Rock art in Europe Swastika