Beth Alpha Zodiac Panel

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Beth Alpha Zodiac Panel is a circular mosaic that features a Jewish adaptation of the Greco-Roman zodiac in the Beth Alpha Synagogue.

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Overview

The central panel features a Jewish adaptation of the Greco-Roman zodiac. The zodiac consists of two concentric circles, with the twelve zodiac signs appearing in the outer circle, and Helios, the Greco-Roman sun god, appearing in the inner circle. The zodiac symbols and seasonal busts are labeled with their corresponding Hebrew names.

Depictions of Elements

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Four Seasons
Female busts symbolizing the four seasons appear in the four corners immediately outside the zodiac wheel.

circa

Central Icon
In the center, Helios appears with his signature Greco-Roman iconographic elements such as the fiery crown of rays adorning his head and the highly stylized quadriga or four-horse-drawn chariot. The background is decorated with a crescent shaped moon and stars.

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