The Symbolism of the Knotted Column in the Architecture of King Milutin

Abstract

The essay analyzes the ornament known as the-Heracle's knot‖ and its usage in sculpture in the late Byzantine sacred context. It is a less known fact that the motif of Heracle's knot, apart from its wide usage in Antiquity in all ranges of artistic production, blossomed during the Palaiologan period especially in the architecture of King Milutin of Serbia (r. 1282-1321). Heracle's knot is depicted on the bifora on the west façade of the church of St. George at Staro Nagoriĉino and the bifora of the apse of the church of St. Joachim and Anna (widely known as King's church) in Studenica Monastery, both dating to 1313. Usage of Heracle's knot represents a continuation of King Milutin's triumphant intentions and in that sense functions as an apotropaic symbol. On the other hand, usage of this symbol could also be connected with the visual response of his prayer for posterity with Queen Simonis, his young Byzantine wife.