People began to make swords in the Bronze Age, quite often ornamenting them richly, which shows their not only functional purpose as a weapon. In ancient China, it was believed that with this weapon a wizard could cast out demons, and if a woman dreamed that she was pulling a sword from the water, it meant that she was to have a son. However, in the event that a man had a dream in which a blade fell into a lake, he was to expect the imminent death of his wife.
The Swedish Order of the Sword
In the Greeks, the legend of Damocles, a favorite of the Syracuse tyrant Dionysius I, is associated with this symbol. The tyrant placed him on the throne for a day, and hung a sword over his head on a horsehair, so that Damocles would realize the illusory nature of the ruler's happiness and well-being. In Christian tradition and chivalry, the sword is the supreme weapon of the warrior.
Crusaders had a cult of this weapon: sticking the sword in the ground, the knight prayed to it as a cross, in its hilt were often placed holy relics. For example, the hilt of Durandal, the legendary sword of paladin Roland, had a tooth of St. Peter, a vessel with the blood of St. Basil, a hair of St. Denis and a piece of the robe of the Virgin Mary.
This weapon was believed to be endowed with a special power, connecting spirit with matter, and was also a symbol of duty and completeness. The sword of the French king, with which he dedicated knights, symbolized the vertical axis linking heaven and earth, thus indicating to the ruler his duty to be truly just, by which he could maintain the eternal order of things. The sword of the knight was double-edged, as one blade he has to destroy the infidels, and the other - the thieves and murderers. This symbol was also the embodiment of the Passion of the Lord and martyrdom, a sword with a transition to the crucifixion hilt - an attribute of Christ.
The symbolism of many Christian saints also contains these weapons.
Junior arcana "King of Swords" from Duke Visconti's Tarot deck, 15th century.
St. Martin of Tours cut his cloak with a sword to give part of it to the poor, and the image of the Virgin Mary with seven plunging into her chest blades represents her seven woes.
In Japan, the sword had a special place: this weapon, which is in the tail of the Great Dragon, along with the mirror and jewels, is the treasure of the imperial throne.
The Medieval Rite of Knighthood
The sword symbolizes the simplest solution to any problem. The ancient Greeks had a legend about King Gordia, who tied a very complicated knot that only a true ruler of Asia could untie. Alexander the Great could not untie this knot, so he simply cut it with his sword.
A sword in its scabbard was considered an attribute of moderation. A sword thrown on the scales signified increased demands through military pressure. This symbol went from the Gallic chief Brennus, who conquered Rome. When the Romans weighed the gold for the contribution, he threw his blade on the scales, declaring, "Woe to the vanquished.
The flag of the Armed Forces of Great Britain. Two crossed swords are an ancient symbol of war and military prowess
Wristband of the USSR cavalry troops
Meaning of the smiley face ⚔️ crossed swords
Crossed swords emoji are two swords in the style of a rapier, crossed over each other. Feel like a king with the crossed swords emoji. These emoji are designed to indicate a badge of honor or a noble
