Discourse on Mystran
Symbology
Dissertation for Doctorate
of Ancient History and Thamaturgy
by
Luxor Arcanum - Faithful Servant
of Mystra
There are several different versions of the
Mystran Holy Symbol. The original symbol was a single blue-white
star worn by followers of the faith before the time of troubles.
This is known as the old symbol and is still accepted as an article of
the faith. (From the Luxor Arcanum sigils development
archives):
All new sigils being made by the
church consist of the new symbol, "a circle of stars in a ring, with red
mist rising toward (or flowing from) the center." (Grand Sage Greenwood &
Arch Sage Grubb, Running the Realms, p.47). Yet, the absolute number of stars
varies. The Tome Faiths and Avatars lists the symbol as "circle of nine
stars, with a red mist rising toward (or flowing from) its center or a
circle of seven blue-white stars, or (older) a single blue-white
star" (Sages Martin & Boyd, Faiths and Avatars, p128). Presumably the
stars in the circle of nine are blue-white, yet occasionally white stars are used. A nice
example of the blue, nine ring sigil was developed by the Masters of Magic:
from the Masters
of Magic
However, the Tome of "Faiths and Avatars" (Sages
Martin & Boyd, p.128) also shows a rune-like drawing of a picture of
a circle of eight stars, presumably developed...
... from an earlier drawing of the "Holy Symbol
of Mystra" drawn alongside the holy symbols of other faiths in the Libram "Forgotton
Realms Campaign Setting" (boxed set handouts)
The eight ring version can also be seen in the Manual "Running the Realms." (Grand Sage Greenwood & Arch Sage Grubb, p.47) It appears to be an inverse of the rune stone:
This eight pointed star is by far the most
popular, as exhibited in the following series. This is from the Luxor
Arcanum sigils development archives:
We find an interesting version from the Servants
of the Mystery Guild. This symbol is remarkable in that it appears
to have used the Running the Realms symbology, but with a marked material
consistancy underneath for color. Altogether a very nice rendering
of the original.
Lastly, we see an interesting programmed
illusion from "Mystra's
domain" as well as the "Servants
of the Mystery Guild" Perhaps this is
a type of sigil appreciated by Mystrans who study the art of illusion?!
Finally, there is a drawing of the seven
star sigil shown in "The Seven Sisters" tome (upper corner, pgs. 2-12,
62-127), however, this may instead only be symbolic of the seven sisters
themselves.
"Seven bright stars in the sky I see.
Seven for those who watch over me.
Seven be the smiles down they send.
Seven be the troubles swift they mend."
This is supported by the fact that each of
the seven chosen appear to have thier respective heraldic symbols listed
in the upper corner, and it makes sense that the group together would have
a symbol similar the the Goddess herself.
In the end this Temple choose the seven star
sigil as the symbol for the Temple of Mystra in Raven's Bluff. It
reminds us to be accepting of all aspects of our Lady of Mysteries.
Tolerance is very important in our faith as we believe we may only press
forward by learning about the past.
May the blessings of Mystra
be upon you.