The narrative surrounding the Ring of Solomon also known as the Seal of Solomon originated primarily from medieval Middle Eastern writers. According to their accounts, the legendary ring was intricately engraved by God and bestowed upon the king directly from heaven. Crafted from brass and iron, the two components of the ring held distinct purposes: one for sealing written commands to benevolent spirits and the other to malevolent ones.
 |
| Seal of Solomon. Discovered in Turkey (Image credit: Daily Star) |
In a particular tale, a demon, identified as either Asmodeus or Sakhr, managed to acquire possession of the ring, assuming control of Solomon's kingdom for a span of forty days. Drawing parallels to the story of the ring of Polycrates in Herodotus, this variant unfolds as the demon ultimately discards the ring into the sea. It is then swallowed by a fish, subsequently caught by a generous fisherman who, unaware of the ring's significance, feeds it to the displaced Solomon. This unwitting act restores the king to power, completing a tale of intrigue and mystical twists.
In accordance with the Talmudic teachings, Solomon's ring bore the engraving of the shem ha-meforesh—the Ineffable Name of GOD. Islamic narratives add that it contained the "Most Great Name of GOD" and four jewels bestowed upon Solomon by angels.
Contrary to the Talmudic account, Islamic sources describe the jewels as inscribed with specific phrases.
The first granted dominion over the winds, bearing the inscription "To GOD [Allah] belong power and greatness."
The second bestowed dominion over birds and beasts with the inscription "Let all living things praise GOD."
The third provided dominion over earth and water, inscribed with "Heaven and earth are the servants of GOD."
The fourth granted dominion over the jinn, with the inscription "There is no GOD but GOD, and Muhammad is His messenger."
Despite the chronological discrepancy, attributed to angels existing beyond time, these jewels conferred supernatural powers upon Solomon.
Functioning as a signet ring for sealing letters and decrees, Solomon's ring was also the source of his extraordinary abilities. It enabled control over the winds, facilitated flight on a wind-borne carpet, and allowed communication with animals and even flowers. Most notably, it served to summon and command the jinn, as well as to exorcise them from possessed individuals.
Nicholas Roerich, a Russian mystic, proposed an alternative perspective of Solomon's Ring during his travels in Tibet. According to Roerich, Solomon's ring was set with a fragment of the Chintamani Stone, an ancient stone with glowing striations believed to have been brought to Earth by a messenger from Sirius.
 |
| Chintamani Stone (Image credit: Roerich and Chintamani) |
Also recognized by its Sanskrit name, Cintamani, meaning "magical stone from another world," this extraordinary gem holds a rich history. According to researcher Childress, ancient Asian chronicles recount a divine messenger from the heavens presenting a fragment of the stone to Emperor Tazlavoo of Atlantis. The intriguing narrative continues, asserting that the stone's journey extended from Tibet to King Solomon in Jerusalem, where he purportedly divided the stone, crafting a ring from one of its pieces.
Referred to as the "Jewel-That-Grants-All-Desires" in China and Japan, the Chintamani is steeped in mythology. It is believed to have originally been in the possession of the Makara, a dragon or dolphin deity residing in a palace at the ocean's depths, further emphasizing its Atlantean origins.
In Buddhism, the Chintamani is considered one of four relics that descended from the sky in a chest, a phenomenon associated with the reign of King Lha Thothori Nyantsen of Tibet. This event, where sacred items arrived in caskets from the heavens, is reminiscent of other terma occurrences in Buddhist traditions. Although King Lha Thothori Nyantsen initially did not comprehend the significance of these objects, he held them in high reverence. After several years, two mysterious strangers appeared at the king's court, elucidating the nature of the four relics. Among them were the Buddha's bowl, potentially a Singing Bowl, and a mani stone inscribed with the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra. These relics played a pivotal role in bringing the Dharma to Tibet.
According to the Digital Dictionary of Buddhism's entry on ruyizhu:
A maṇi-jewel is described as a magical jewel capable of manifesting whatever one desires (Sanskrit: maṇi, cintā-maṇi, cintāmaṇi-ratna). It is believed that treasures, clothing, and food can be manifested according to one's wishes, and it has the power to alleviate sickness and suffering, purify water, and more. Metaphorically, the maṇi-jewel symbolizes the teachings and virtues of the Buddha. Its origin is said to be traced back to the dragon-king of the sea, the head of the great fish Makara, or the relics of a Buddha.
Contrary to popular belief, the ring did not contain a "Solomon's Seal," such as the hexagram or pentagram, which emerged in medieval times on amulets seeking a connection with King Solomon and his ring.
A Yiddish folk tale provides another interpretation of the ring. In this narrative, Solomon, desiring to teach humility to the captain of the Palace Guard, Benaiah, tasked him with finding a ring that could make a sad man happy and a happy man sad. After an exhaustive search, Benaiah discovered a simple silver ring with the inscription "GAM ZU YAAVOR" ("This too shall pass"). Presenting it to Solomon, Benaiah unwittingly imparted a lesson in humility to the wise king, reminding him of the transient nature of wealth and power.
The Qur'anic account of Solomon concludes with a subtle and unusual death. In his old age, Solomon's demise goes unnoticed as he leans on his cane. Strikingly, his lifeless body remains upright, supported by the cane, leading the djinn to continue their labor under the assumption that he still oversees their work. The passing of time, left unspecified, eventually reveals Solomon's imperceptible death. It is only when an insect gnaws through the base of his cane, disrupting the balance, that his lifeless body collapses to the ground.
In this revelation of Solomon's demise, the malevolent djinn realize they are no longer bound by enslavement. With this newfound freedom, they hastily depart to resume their former lives. As for the Ring of Solomon, it too falls from his finger when his body descends, disappearing from sight. The fate of this mythical artifact remains uncertain, leaving the possibility that it exists as a hidden treasure waiting to be rediscovered—an enigma that may forever elude our understanding.
In 2017, authorities claimed to have discovered the Seal of Solomon, a ring attributed to the legendary king, during a raid in Turkey.
According to reports, law enforcement seized the artifact during an operation conducted on a Tuesday. The target of the raid was an illegal tomb raider who was hoarding and smuggling a significant number of relics.
The Seal of Solomon, steeped in myth, is said to possess magical powers that grant its wearer the ability to command demons and communicate with animals. King Solomon, the ring's original owner, is a figure found in both Christian and Jewish traditions, recognized as a prophet who ruled Israel approximately 1000 years before the birth of Jesus.
The bronze seal was discovered in the Amasya province following a tip-off about the suspected smuggler. Alongside the Seal of Solomon, the authorities found additional items, including a golden bull figure, four golden tablets, a metal tablet, and an ancient Torah.
Osman Varol, the regional governor, confirmed that these items are believed to be "ancient," although an exact dating could not be determined. Preliminary examinations suggest that the relics are at least 500 years old.
In Islamic eschatology, certain beliefs suggest that the Beast of the Earth, anticipated to emerge close to the Last Judgment day, will arrive carrying the "Seal of Solomon." It is said that this creature will employ the Seal to mark the noses of those who do not believe, as part of the events leading up to the culmination of the divine judgment.
References:
The Atlantis Encyclopedia by Frank Joseph
Please don't put your website link in Comment section. This is for discussion article related only. Thank you :)