Legends of the
Dome of the Rock:
13 / WHY DOES THE DOME TARNISH?
Green is the holy color of Islamic tradition. Moslems
whose headgear is a green turban claim to be able to trace their origin back to
the prophet Muhammad. The Moslems are accustomed to painting the domes of their
mosques green. This is also the color of the dome crowning the Great Mosque in
the city of Acre (Akko) on the coast.
It is told that the Dome of the Rock, which is erected
on the site of the Temple of the Jews, was painted green when it was built. It
gradually began to tarnish and blacken. The legend explains this as a sign of
mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temple, which in ancient times had
stood in its place with its entire splendor.
Source: Ze’ev Vilnay Legends of Jerusalem, 1973, related he heard this legend in Jerusalem in 1940.
Culled
from: Zev Vilnay: Legends of Jerusalem, Jewish Publication Society,
1973.
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