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The medieval word "Ananizapta" has puzzled scholars for centuries. Appearing in prayer books, ancient manuscripts, jewelry, and even carved into city gates, this word seems to carry an enigmatic purpose. I first came across it in the TV series Vikings, where it is inscribed on Bishop Heahmund's sword—though the historical Bishop Heahmund never owned such a weapon. Its appearance sparked questions among fans: What does this word mean, and why did it spread across Europe?
Examples of Ananizapta can be found across medieval Europe, hinting at a widespread and profound significance. In Ingolstadt, Germany, it is carved into two city gates dating back to around 1370. The same word appears on a British chalice, in an Erfurt manuscript from 1349, and on the large prayer bell of Ulm Cathedral, cast in 1454. In each case, its purpose and origin remain mysterious, though many believe it served as a powerful spell to ward off evil or disease.
A critical clue emerged in 1985 with the discovery of the Middleham Jewel near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire. This valuable piece of jewelry, adorned with a 68-gram sapphire, bears the inscription "tetragramaton Ananyzapta." Interestingly, the word is spelled slightly differently here, with “Ananyzapta” appearing alongside "tetragramaton" (the sacred Hebrew name for God, YHWH). Scholars speculate that the sapphire protected against illness, with Ananizapta playing a vital role in its power. The jewel’s inscription raises questions: what does Ananizapta mean, and how did this word spread so widely across Europe?
Decoding Ananizapta is difficult. A spell against evil?
Dr. Werner Karl, a historian from Ingolstadt, has proposed a fascinating interpretation. He believes Ananizapta to be a complex abbreviation, where each part represents a phrase with mystical or religious power. "Anani," he suggests, refers to "Anathema anathema Iesus" from Paul's First Corinthians 12:3, rephrased to mean "Cursed be the Devil." "Apta" relates to baptism, and "Z" is shorthand for "Zabolus" (Devil). Combined, the phrase might mean "Cursed be the Devil through baptism," a powerful formula to repel evil forces.
Other ancient inscriptions with similar mysticism appear across European artifacts. For instance, in Pope Leo III’s prayer book, the phrase "Ananizapta Johazath" appears beside other Latin "curses", suggesting it was part of a broader tradition of sacred words used for protection.
A word that wandered
The Ingolstadt gates, inscribed with Ananizapta, may have been intended to guard the city. During the Thirty Years' War, Swedish King Gustav Adolf failed to capture the city despite a week-long siege. Swedish forces, frustrated, destroyed nearby villages in retaliation. Yet Ingolstadt’s fortune wasn’t permanent; in 1635, the plague struck, perhaps suggesting that the word’s power had waned.
Some researchers speculate that Ananizapta traveled from England to Germany through royal connections. For instance, Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, resided at Middleham Castle, where the jewel was later found. Her daughter Margaret of York married Charles the Bold of Burgundy in 1468, and their family often traveled through Austria and Germany, likely spreading symbols and traditions. A prayer book owned by Emperor Maximilian I, printed in Augsburg in 1512 and illustrated by artists like Albrecht Dürer, contains the word "Ananizapta," adding weight to this theory.
However, the timing doesn’t align perfectly. The inscriptions on Ingolstadt’s gates date to around 1370, while the Erfurt manuscript was written in 1349, long before Margaret’s journey south. This evidence suggests that the word originated in southern Germany and spread northward by unknown means. This word remains a mystery in all regards.