15-12-2023, 10:00 PM
Are you sure the asterisk shape is geographically determined? It's not something I've looked into before, but to me they feel ubiquitous.
What I think is relevant is probably that the star shape with the circle inside can also be read as a flower, and was probably chosen as an intentionally ambiguous form. Just like the nymphs walking around the zodiac signs can be seen as holding stars on strings, but also flowers on stalks. If one of these figures were seen in isolation, someone who didn't know about the zodiac context might just see a nude figure holding a flower.
What I think is relevant is probably that the star shape with the circle inside can also be read as a flower, and was probably chosen as an intentionally ambiguous form. Just like the nymphs walking around the zodiac signs can be seen as holding stars on strings, but also flowers on stalks. If one of these figures were seen in isolation, someone who didn't know about the zodiac context might just see a nude figure holding a flower.