Motif: Hildegards´ Visions
How would Hildegard von Bingen be described today? As the head of a modern company, author of bestsellers, political advisor, physician and composer. This description alone testifies to the power of Hildegard von Bingen, the woman depicted on the Liechtenstein stamp of the month for September 2023
She was born in 1098 and died at the age of 82 in Bingen am Rhein (Germany). After joining the Benedictine monastery of Disibodenberg at the age of 8 and growing up there, she took over its management in 1136 before moving to Rupertsberg near Bingen as abbess. Her relaxation of the convent’s strict rules (e.g. her nuns were also allowed to wear “normal” clothes) earned her criticism, which she was able to easily refute with her sharp mind.
Hildegard’s visions were already depicted on a German stamp from 1998.
She refers to visions (depicted on the stamp) that she receives directly from God. She has these visions written down by her secretary. They form the basis of her entire theological work (written in three books, among others). She also leaves behind an extensive correspondence in which she corresponds with high-ranking dignitaries of the time and also criticizes them.
Motif: Natural healing
Nevertheless, she was the first nun to be allowed to preach publicly to the people. This is because she never claimed that her “theological ideas” came from her, but that her theological and philosophical statements were communicated to her in visions. This means that no one can dismiss her teachings as false, as at the time women were denied the ability to gain theological knowledge on their own. In her books and sermons, she describes the order of creation as something in which body and soul, world and church, nature and grace are the responsibility of man. A view that is still modern today.
However, Hildegard von Bingen is probably best known for her naturopathy, which has been marketed as Hildegard medicine since the 1970s. This is based on her books on nature and medicine with tips on how herbs, gemstones and metals work and how to identify and treat illnesses (symbolized in the second stamp). However, the idea of unity and wholeness remains a key to her natural and healing teachings.
What few people know is that Hildegard von Bingen was also an outstanding composer whose pieces (in Gregorian chant) are heard more and more today. Between 1151 and 1158, she composed over 70 chants for liturgical use. She also invented her own alphabet and a “secret language” (lingua ignota). The fantasy letters are depicted on the first day cancel (diameter 32 mm; design: Thomas Giger, Seewies).
All in all, a fascinating woman about whom entire books have been written and are still being written. Her influence on our history should not be underestimated.
Maximum card shows the Rupertsberg monastery
First day cover
- Tax value/motive:
- CHF 1.80 The religious
- CHF 2.30 The nature and healing expert
- Size 30.94 x 42 mm
- Perforation 13 ½ x 13 ¼
- Sheet 146 x 208 mm
- Design Thomas Giger, Seewis
- Printing Offset 4-color CMYK + hot foil stamping gold
- Cartor Security Printing, Meaucé la Loupe
- Truwhite FSC Mix Credit 110 g/m2 paper,
- gummiert
- Auflage 24 000