The Shofar and Trumpet in Byzantine Art

Abstract

The subject of this study involves the shofar and trumpet, instruments used both in liturgical and secular ceremonies, and their reflections in religious art. The article addresses these instruments under certain sub-headings. The introduction attempts to explain the emergence of the shofar as an instrument. The trumpet, being frequently mentioned in the Bible, is also included to the context of the study. References to trumpets and shofars were compared in terms of how they were mentioned both in paganism and in the Bible. The other sub-headings first examine the etymological and then iconographic past of the shofar and trumpet. While evaluating the origin of the shofar, the iconographic facts were identified as having important points regarding the etymological derivation of shofar. Chapter 20 in the Bible's Book of Genesis deals with how God tests Abraham and sends a ram to replace Isaac upon the sacrificial altar and how the ram's horn has an important place in identifying the shofar's etymological, material, and iconographic past. This event, known as the Akedah, has an important place in the Hebrew tradition. For these reasons, the places and usages of shofar and trumpet were classified according to their references given in the Bible. Another important sub-heading of the study explains the depictions of the shofar and trumpet in religious art that were chosen as examples. The conclusion heading provides a general evaluation using the given examples.