Symbols of the 12 Tribes of Israel

Hello. My brother, a jeweler, is custom-making a menorah based on a client's provided sample (in the photo). The base and candle holders of this menorah depict symbols of the 12 tribes of Israel: a tent, deer, sheaves, scales, tree, city, donkey, sun, lion, wolf, breastplate, and ship. Using information found online, I deciphered the symbolism as follows: Tent - Gad Deer - Naphtali Sheaves - Joseph? Scales - Dan Tree (olive?) - Asher City - Shimon Donkey - Issachar Sun - Issachar Lion - Judah Wolf - Benjamin Breastplate - Levi Ship - Zebulun Please help answer the following questions: 1. Whose symbol are the sheaves? I found a mention that it might be Joseph's symbol, although other sources say Joseph's symbols are a cornucopia or grapevine. 2. It is said that Issachar's symbols are the sun (and moon) and also a donkey. Why are the sun and donkey depicted separately on the menorah? What does each symbol mean? 3. Is it correct in this case to depict 12 symbols including the tribes of Levi and Joseph, or would it be more accurate to depict without the tribes of Levi and Joseph, but with Joseph's sons - Manasseh and Ephraim? 4. Should any symbols be replaced with others? After all, each tribe had several symbols. 5. How authoritative is the depiction of the tribes' symbols on a menorah? 6. What does the cluster of grapes on the central candle holder mean? All the tribes of Israel?

Shalom!
Thank you for your question.

As you mentioned, there are indeed different variations of symbols for different tribes. However, the following symbols for the 12 tribes are considered more authoritative:

• Reuben — Jasmine
• Simeon — City of Shechem
• Levi — Urim and Thummim
• Judah — Lion
• Dan — Snake
• Naphtali — Gazelle
• Gad — Military Camp
• Asher — Olive Tree
• Issachar — Sun and Moon
• Zebulun — Ship
• Benjamin — Wolf

I hope this helps you!