solomonic

Solomonic is an adjective derived from Solomon, used to describe things associated with the biblical king or with the traditions that claim his lineage. In common usage it refers to the Solomonic dynasty of Ethiopia and to things tied to that imperial house, as well as to architectural and cultural forms inspired by the idea of Solomon’s lineage.

Ethiopian Solomonic dynasty

The Solomonic dynasty refers to the Ethiopian imperial house that claimed descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. According to Ethiopian tradition, Yekuno Amlak established the dynasty in the late 13th century (circa 1270 CE). The Solomonic line ruled the Ethiopian Empire for many centuries, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church playing a central role in state and court life. The dynasty’s rulers were crowned in a ceremony that emphasized their divine legitimation and their connection to Solomon. The capital shifted over time, notably to Gondar in the early modern era, and the monarchy persisted until 1974, when Haile Selassie I was deposed; he died in 1975 while in exile. The Solomonic myth remained a core element of Ethiopian national identity and symbolism, including the symbol of the Lion of Judah.

Cultural and architectural usage

Beyond a dynastic sense, Solomonic is used in religious and cultural contexts to denote reverence for the Solomonic lineage. In architecture, Solomonic columns describe helical or twisted columns that evoke the legendary columns of Solomon’s Temple and are characteristic of certain Baroque and Renaissance-influenced structures.

Modern associations

The concept has permeated diaspora and religious movements, notably within Rastafari, where Haile Selassie I is sometimes revered as a representative of the Solomonic line. As a historical term, Solomonic remains primarily a descriptor of descent, monarchy, and related cultural heritage.