Thunder symbols

[MarcoP]

I wonder if the emblem of the XII Roman legion "fulminata" might be related with Hidegard's symbol. The emblem is discussed on the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. heraldry site, where de Bara’s You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., 1581 is mentioned.

The same symbol was used as an emblem of Jupiter (e.g. the 167 AD You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.).


Properly, the Roman emblem represents lightning or thunderbolt, but they are obviously closely related to thunder. It shares with Hildergard's emblem:

• the basic cross-like shape
  
• arrows pointing in four different directions
  
• wings
  

The main difference seems to me that Hildegard's emblem, like the other emblems in her complex diagram, is a "personification", in this case based on four animal heads.

I believe that the 1581 illustration is based on Renaissance archaeological findings, possibly on Roman coins. I am far for sure that the Roman emblem was known in the middle-ages, so the similarity with Hildegard's may be coincidental.

   

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Something only partially related: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. representing the invention of gunpowder uses the same word next to Hildegard's symbol (tonitrua / thunders) with reference to cannons:
"Manu quati tonitrua atque fulmina Datum videtur inferis ab invidis"
which I interpret as "Artificial thunder and lightning; this looks like a gift from hateful hell".