The zodiac: Renaissance of the astrological symbol in Eastern European wooden synagogues from the 17th and 18th centuries

Abstract

The article presents a multidisciplinary analysis of the complex relationship between intangible elements of culture that led to the presentation of the zodiac in Jewish folk art and architecture. The zodiac appears to be one of the most common astrological symbols that are found in both ancient and contemporary synagogal art. Although it primarily originates from Chaldean and Babylonian astrology, and despite strong culture-based differences, the zodiac was used in a form of floor mosaics in ancient Jewish art as well as in ceiling paintings from wooden synagogues of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The article summarises an analysis of the ancient origin, meaning, and renaissance of the artistic application of the idea of the zodiac in the art and architecture of Eastern European vernacular wooden synagogues from the 17th and 18th centuries. The comparative research is made on the basis of an identification of related canonical and non-canonical texts, their interpretation, studies on the partially preserved ancient buildings, and the available photographic documentation of wooden synagogues and their reconstruction. Secondarily, the article contributes to a recognition of the main cultural factors influencing the development of Jewish art and architecture in this part of Europe.

Keywords:

• The zodiac
• Jewish architecture
• Jewish culture
• Jewish astrology
• synagogal art

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

The zodiac in Jewish culture has an ambiguous meaning, and is not accepted by numerous religious and philosophical scriptures. Thanks to the influence of other cultures and the appearance of new interpretations of the Jewish tradition throughout the centuries, Jewish folk culture has adapted the symbol in its art. However, in architecture, the zodiac did not appear in the Middle Ages. The astrological signs of the zodiac in the wooden synagogues of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from the 17th and 18th centuries are the first application of the symbol in synagogue art since antiquity. This artistic representation can thus be recognized as a Renaissance of the zodiac typical for Eastern European architecture

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Correction

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Tomasz Eugeniusz Malec

Tomasz Eugeniusz Malec is an architect, lecturer, and researcher in the field of spatial development, including tangible and intangible culture, human needs in architecture, interdisciplinary relationships between spatial units, and Jewish architecture and urbanism. Between 2000 and 2013, he was the author and coauthor of multiple architectural designs, mostly connected with renovating historical buildings. He authored the textbook Simple Introduction to Architecture for new architecture students, and the monograph Jewish Architecture and Urbanism in the Years 1495–1815: The Jewish City in Casimir, Cracow along with over 25 articles in scientific journals. Results of his research on the role of cultural and noncultural conditions in spatial development provide insight into the basis behind the process of human-centered design. His work may be also used for future culture-related architectural research.