Dem Bones... dem bones...

    Ancient ossuary's (bone boxes) have been discovered throughout the State of Israel dating back thousands of years, as the one shown below.  These bone boxes tell the story of how ancient Israelites distinguished their tribe by using the shape of a six-petal flower.  In modern Hebrew we use the name "Shoshan", the male form of “Shoshanna” (as mentioned in Song of Songs), for Lilium, specifically Lilium candidum, known as the “Madonna Lily", which is native to Israel.  The name Shoshan is likely derived from "shesh" (Hebrew for six), referring to the six-fold symmetry of the Lily family.  As seen on the Mashiyach banner, the shape of the flower on the top left side of the header is a reproduction of what was engraved on the ossuary's (bone boxes) that was discovered in Jerusalem and the Shomron (Northern Israel). 

     It is believed that early Christians were responsible for naming the Shoshan the “Madonna Lily" which doesn't take much imagination to understand why.  The lyrics to an old hymn goes, “He's the lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star".  In modern times the name "Shoshanna" was mistakenly used for the rose, from when Hebrew was revived in the 19th century.  Although there is speculation (isn't there always) regarding the exact species of lily, we have a good idea that the shoshan wasn't referring to a rose because another term is most likely used for rose, "I am the rose (chabatseleth) of Sharon, and the lily (shoshan) of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters." Song of Songs 2:1-2.

     YHWH shared His delight in the Shoshan when He said; "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.  I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the Shoshan (lily), and cast forth his roots as Lebanon."  Hosea 14:4:5 

     The Shoshan (lily) was dear to the heart of YHWH and all Israelites, however, over the course of time the Shoshan (lily) became known as the "star of David" which is seen on the modern flag of Israel today.  As it goes with most things "Jewish", especially anything that indicates YHWH's love for His people, and the Land of Israel, also becomes an anti-Semitic slur and so it is with this very special and beautiful symbol as some people suggest that the six pointed lily or Star of David has it roots in occult worship.  For anyone who studies the Moedim (Feasts) of YHWH and His Shabbats according to the ancient Scriptural calendar (see www.wheelofstars.com) it is quite obvious that this beautiful symbol that YHWH gave to Israel was also embedded in "the stars", not as one star per se, but as the circle, or wheel of stars.

     For more information and photographs about the Lily of the Valley and the earliest archaeology and meaning of the Star of David click this link:  http://zeevgoldmann.blogspot.com/