Over the ages the Tribes of Israel became attached to certain emblems. Some have two distinct symbols while others have a few. In art and poetry these emblems are powerful icons especially when displayed on a flag. Subsequently they illustrate my fraternal flag idea. Basically flags often, if not always, exhibit a certain kind of harmony. The Twelve Tribes of Israel have taken flight on the flag pole and like the flags of the 50 US states, exhibit a certain kind of "flag symmetry."
Part III - Gad and Zebulun
Gad's icon is usually a tent or group of three tents. The number
doesn't matter so much, lest you understand that the totem for Gad is a group of outlaw folk commonly called raiders, bandits, thieves, or robbers. The totem for
Zebulun on the other hand is almost always represented by a single ship. The origins of these icons trace back to the account in
Genesis when Jacob blesses the Twelve Tribes of Israel on his death bed.
Most of the tribes derive their icons from this account, subsequently the emblems of the Twelve Tribes of Israel have served as a source of inspiration for artists for countless generations.
But the odd common element for Simeon and Gad is, both are external to the blessing. Most of the tribal emblems arise when Jacob uses a direct
metaphor or simile. For example it is written that - Judah is like a lion, Benjamin is like a wolf, Dan will be a snake, Issachar is no better than a donkey.
![](//3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jNjA95KQgQ/T0Qy5iayo6I/AAAAAAAAGj0/oLjocdhcysY/s320/12%2Btribes%2Bof%2Bisraeli%2Bzebulun%2Bthe%2Bship%2Bcompared%2Band%2Banalyzed.jpg)
However the emblems for
Zebulun and Gad are predictions of men in an occupation. They also apply more aptly to foreigners rather than Israelis.
Zebulun is predicted to become a haven for ships? What kind of ships? Ships that bring trade and economy - which includes foreign ships.
Gad's emblem refers to a troop of raiders that rob him, subsequently Gad -
like Batman - must pursue them, lending us the joke of
Gadman the desert avenger. But seriously folks,the raiders could be future Israelis that go bad or robbers of foreign nations.
Also, the emblems of Gad and
Zebulun hint at the perpetual dichotomy between the navy and army. Just as there is a captain of the ship and officers, a desert caravan - bandit or merchant - must have a chief with lieutenants. The life of a sailor or roving band of 'land pirates' requires an organized group effort composed of roughnecks as well as a shrewd class of keenly intelligent individuals. Setting camp,
maintaining order and
navigating a sea or dessert are the important duties for sailors or and an army of raiders.
link to part 1 (
who is man's best friend?)
link to part 4 (
fruit salad anyone?)
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