I don't think I can find a longer post. I write more for myself, in a notebook. Here it is appropriate to say: "galloping through Europe", and even further, a little of everything and nothing as it should, but for general acquaintance it is still suitable.
This post is largely based on Claire Gibson's How to Read Symbols. Publishing house Ripol Classic. Moscow.
Respecting the copyright of the publisher, I avoid using the materials of the book directly, I will show only a few photos, although I do not approve of such stupid and extremely harmful prohibitions. In fact, following this logic - all information should be prohibited, in this case, it is worth closing and-not as such, since any information is already recorded somewhere, fixed and has a source. But we pay so much money for books today that we could already buy ourselves some rights to use them in discussions without a commercial purpose, and such posts never have a commercial purpose, as everyone knows. But, leaving this problem, I will continue the post. I will go over the topic of symbolism as I follow the pages of the book, but I will certainly digress and digress. I will use my own text, quotes from the book, and illustrations found on the net with attribution.
So, the main thesis: art largely communicates with us through symbols, and symbols contain information about certain archetypes. I would also add that the symbol contains a certain direction, not only the archetype potentially, but also its direction. Each symbol has an individual energy and plasticity. This is, perhaps, the shortcoming of the book presented as the basic material: the designer did not feel the meaning of the symbols depicted, completely deprived them of their individuality, making them strangely amorphous, faceless, empty. In fact, the meaning of symbols is just the opposite: in content and fullness.
In general, the book is decorated beautifully, tastefully and very intelligently formed within itself. Here is an example page:
But let's get down to the topic of the post.
The Tree of Life is a symbol of the Universe. This symbol is found among all peoples, from East to West, as long as the Sun moves. The human body (chakras) is arranged in the same way. We often meet this symbol on shaman tambourines, in patterns of various embroidery, the tree of life is one of the central symbols of the universe.
Good and evil . Today, most people falsely consider these phenomena to be antagonists, IMHO, this is a delusion. However, the consequences of these two "sources" are indeed often opposite, so it makes sense to oppose them, and this is often expressed in symbolism.
Woodcut from the treatise "On the City of God" (Civitas Dei) by St. Augustine. 1486
Military heraldry is a symbol of military brotherhood and initiation.
Knight's spurs are a symbol of chivalry. The Americans have shields with the imprint of the war himself - they mean physical and spiritual strength. Roman military standards depicting an eagle - aquila, sitting on a lightning bolt and surrounded by a laurel wreath - strength and victory, the letters SPQR - Senatus Populusque Romanus - the Senate and people of Rome.
The standards belong to the Duke of Brabant and Limburg John I (1254-1294). In 1288, after the battle of Worringen, he annexed the county of Limburg and the Upper Meuse to his possessions, and the red Limburg lions joined the golden Brabant lions.
Symbols such as ermine or thistle flower carry very important information. In symbolism, the ermine fur symbolizes belonging to a noble blood, and the thistle flower is a symbol of Scotland and the symbol of the most noble knightly order of the Thistle, whose motto is: Nemo me impune laceaait - "No one falls on me with impunity."
Writing and storage of information.
The origins of writing are dual: on the one hand, it is information, and then writing has exactly the form of an alphabet, on the other hand, it is an attempt to convey an image, and then writing is more symbolic.
Box of Franks, made in Northumbria from whalebone, circa 8th century.
Fantasy creatures. Among them are dragons, sirens, unicorns... Each creature is perceived by a person very definitely.
Shields of the Maasai tribe.
Segira symbol - passes through the center vertically, at the base of the pattern - cowrie shells. It is a symbol of strength and good luck. The elliptical patterns on the left side are the mark of the morans, who are connected by combat experience and shed blood. The symbols on the right side of the shield are information about the individual qualities of a warrior. The symbol of el langrabwali - a red spot or flower pattern - testifies to extraordinary bravery on the battlefield. It is like an order or a medal.
Adinkra symbols.
The Adinkra symbol system belongs to the Ashanti people (West Africa, Ghana). The original meaning of the symbols has been lost, but the meaning and name of each has been preserved.
The first in the tablet is the symbol of Gie Nyame, translated as "Except God", and says that in this life there is nothing to be afraid of except God, who has superiority over everything in the Universe.
Yei of the Navajo tribe.
The Navajo Indians of North America use yei - fine colored sand to depict the "holy people". These images have their own symbolism, are considered sacred and are used more often than this for the healing of "a sick mind and a sad heart."
Also, these symbols are depicted on rugs, but this way they are already less sacred. The Navajo have a "ceremony of the Holy Way", for which they usually draw a picture of "Rotating Logs", where you can distinguish between pairs of male and female yei, etc. Male gods are distinguished by round heads, and female gods are square ... There is also a Talking God - Hastseyatli - with a white face, in a headdress made of bird feathers, with a bag of feathers, in which there is corn pollen. It symbolizes the dawn and the east. Rainbow Goddess - The guardian goddess, symbolizing the heavenly-earthly path of yei, she has a long multi-colored body ...
Hopi tribe Kachina.
The Hopi Indians (south=west of North America) believe that there are 300 kachinas - rain-bringing fertility spirits that live among them from the winter to the summer solstice. Spirits differ in headdresses, they are reproduced in detail by making dolls from poplar root. Kachina are important not only for the Hopi, but also for other Pueblo tribes. There are such kachinas as Kachina Tava - Sun Kachina, Maiden Butterfly, Eagle Kachina, White Buffalo Kachina, etc.
loa voodoo.
On the canvas of Andre Pierre - "Queen of Voodoo, Mrs. Erzulie Dantor", the lady's veve - a heart pierced by a sword.
Damballa is the father of all spirits in the Voodoo tradition, the main loa. The python or boa constrictor is its symbol.
Legba is a loa associated with the Sun and witchcraft, he is the Master of the Crossroads, the gatekeeper between the world of the living and the world of the dead. Its symbol is based on the cross.
Symbolism of the tribes of the Northwest coast of America.
Eagle - a sign of which is a black beak bent down, a symbol of the Haida tribe, meaning hunting prowess and the power of the leader. The totem of the Haida tribes - a raven, a trickster, a hero of legends who gave people celestial bodies, fire and light, is associated with order and accuracy. Killer whale - with a blue fin - the personification of great strength and power. The beaver is a symbol of hard work. The frog is a symbol of magic and good luck, a messenger of spirits.
Symbolism of the warriors of the plains.
The tribes of the plains - Sioux, Crow, Blackfoot, Arapaha, Comanche, Cheyenne, Pawnee - are nomadic hunters who revere the eagle and the bear. On the shields of the warriors of these tribes, one can often find a bear's paw - a sign of exceptional strength, which they called in this way to their side. Also, feathers were often attached to the shields.
Aztec symbols of military brotherhood.
Jaguar is a sign of the God of the underworld and the night sun, Eagle is the king of the daytime sun. There were two military orders - the Order of the Jaguar and the Order of the Eagle. Accordingly, the appearance of the warriors was likened to either a jaguar or an eagle.
Aztec Tonalpoualli - ancient calendar. Consisted of two cross cycles, including 20 days with unique names, and 13 - with numbers. Each "name" day had its own meaning, which helped in predictions and forecasts of the future.
For example, the 6th personal day - a symbol - a skull, means death, a short life was intended for those born on this day. Water is a sign of the 9th day, an auspicious sign, fertility and a favorable result. The 18th nominal day is a symbol - a flint, which has been assigned a divine status. Probably, this day corresponded to the meaning of creativity and creation, the inner power of fire. Dog - 10th day - dogs were valued for their loyalty and for the fact that they destroyed carrion, which means they got rid of problems, it was believed that they help the owner find a new haven for the soul after death.
It seems that the confusion of Africa and America, which were mixed in the book, and at the same time I repeated the same path - ended.
Gods of Mesopotamia.
Inanna is the Sumerian goddess, her Assyrian and Babylonian counterpart is Ishtar. The symbol is an eight-pointed star, representing the brightest light in the sky - Venus. Inanna is the goddess of love and war.
Marduk is the supreme god and protector of cities, his symbol is a triangular spade, also reminiscent of the fact that it was he who taught people to cultivate the land. Outwardly like a direct lightning. Adad is the sky god who brings rain and storms. The symbol is a flowering staff with triple lightning, doubled triple lightning. Tiamat is a terrible mother goddess who emerged from salt water. The symbol of primordial chaos, the image is a dragon.
Sacred symbols of Judaism.
Among them are tablets with 10 commandments, Epod - the robe of high priests, the Ark of the Covenant, the Tetragrammaton, the shofar - a ritual musical instrument, Sefer Torah - a Torah scroll, the Star of David and the Menorah - a menorah.
Hindu Gods Trimurti.
Trimurti - translated from Sanskrit - "Having three forms", it combines the three main deities of Hinduism - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Buddhist symbols.
And Japan again...
The Japanese mon is a round symbol that contains a positive sign. In translation, mon means "eye of the snake." Often interpreted as family coats of arms.
Japanese sites with lots of mon: http://monraku.com/ http://www.asgy.co.jp/cgi-bin/kmnlist.pl?kikkou http://www.asgy.co.jp/
Mandalas and yantras in Buddhism and Hinduism.
These signs serve to structure the space, having a great impact on the environment, whether they are looked at or not. Concentration on such signs usually has a sufficient effect.
Translated from Sanskrit, mandala - "circle", yantra - "tool" - contribute to meditation and spiritual development. Some depict human chakras.
When you are in the mandala, in whatever direction you look, the south is always ahead of you.
Chinese horoscope and its symbols.
This is the horoscope of 12 animals popular today in the post-Soviet space: rat, bull, goat, tiger, etc. Each animal symbolizes a certain set of principles. In short, it is based on the movement of Jupiter along the same 12 signs of the zodiac, in the "western" version the Sun goes through the signs and this is a cycle of 12 months, in the "eastern" - Jupiter, a cycle of 12 years approximately.
Initially, there were 12 "earthly branches", 12 animal signs passed into this more ancient tradition from Buddhism, and this is connected with the legend of how 6 wild animals and 6 domestic animals responded to the call of the Buddha ...
twelve earthly branches
Chinese character tai chi and trigram ba gua
The system is based on the idea that the fundamental principle of the universe is duality, embodied in the circle of tai chi (yin-yang). Harmony is achieved when both sides are in perfect balance. Eight trigrams (three-line signs) ba-gua, expressing the variability of the relationship between the two main principles, are used to predict the future. In tragrams, yin is broken lines, yang is continuous.
image source: http://magiimir.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=1311
five chinese elements
The idea of this system is that all cosmic matter consists of five elements: fire, water, metal, earth, wood. Each element corresponds to a certain principle.
These elements are called usin- literally it is a driving force, and not something stable and motionless. " All qi manifestations are in one or another phase of their development (potential, beginning of development, peak, stabilization or decline).Every process in nature has these five phases.At the beginning of any process, energy, like a Tree reaching for the light, quickly grows and develops. It is directed upwards. The peak of development is Fire, the maximum of energy, from here it rushes in different directions, like the warmth of the sun. Stabilization is like the Earth, symbolizing a reliable support. Energy is directed downward. This is followed by decline. It corresponds to Metal, which carries sensations of hardness and concentration. At this stage, the energy moves inward, gathering and concentrating. That is, the energy of the metal is directed to compression. And, finally, the development potential is Water. It is directed downwards and to the sides, has the ability to penetrate everywhere and permeate everything and connect different parts.
The four main arts of the Chinese sages: kin - musical art, symbol - Chinese zither; shu - literary art, symbol - books tied with ribbons; hua - the art of painting, a symbol - two rolled scrolls; ki - the art of improving the body, a symbol - a board for playing th(weichi). This is a board and two pots with black and white chips (figures)
Let's go back home to Europe. The symbols of Europeans are more difficult to describe, as they contain more capacious concepts that require more figurative and voluminous thinking from the reader, IMHO. The East is more schematic and orderly in this sense.
Greco-Roman Gods of Olympus.
Zeus (Jupiter) - the supreme God of Olympus, his sign number 1, as well as an eagle and lightning, a symbol of supreme power. Hera (Juno), his wife. Her attribute is a peacock, symbol No. 2. Demeter (Ceres) is the goddess mother earth, her symbol is an ear of bread. Poseidon (Neptune) - the god of water expanses, the ocean, the sea. In some traditions, he was the supreme god. Attribute - a scepter in the form of a trident. Hermes (Mercury) is a god and messenger of the gods, his attributes are winged sandals and a helmet, as well as the famous "horned" scepter intertwined with snakes. Hephaestus (Volcano) is the blacksmith god, his attribute is a hammer and anvil. It is the god of fire and the creator of forms. Aphrodite (Venus) - the wife of Hephaestus, the goddess of love and beauty, her attribute is a mirror, later a rose. Ares (Mars) is the god of fire and war. His attributes are armor, and his companions are a wolf and a woodpecker. Artemis (Diana) is a maiden huntress, the beloved daughter of Zeus, her attribute is a silver crescent in her hair, a bow and arrows, her companions are dogs. Apollo is her brother, patron of the arts, with a golden mop of hair, his attribute is a lyre. Athena (Minerva) - the goddess of wisdom, craft, medicine and "just" war. Her attributes are a helmet, an aegis cloak, an olive branch, and her companion is an owl. Hestia (Vesta) is the keeper of fire, while her flame burns, life lasts. Eros (Cupid) is a deity who instills passionate aspirations in people, his attributes are a bow and arrows. Dionysus (Bacchus) - the god of transformation of consciousness, in a simplified version - the god of the vine, which is an attribute of such a transformation. His wand dash is entwined with ivy and crowned with a pine cone. Cybele is a goddess originally belonging to the Phrygian pantheon, Magna Mater, goddess of the moon and night, her companions are lions. There were also many other deities and heroes, each with their own attributes... Interesting symbolism can be found on ancient coins, even in one of my posts dedicated to the Hermitage.
One of the variants of the scepter of Hermes. This scepter with its attributes shows how much Hermes was related to the healing forces, he is the messenger of the gods, this can be understood as a "thought", and indeed, a person had to think carefully to heal his body. No. 2 - the staff of Asclepius, the famous healer of antiquity.
image source: http://magicsym.ru/tag/jezl
Celtic gods and symbols.
The Celtic cross - a cross combined with a circle - displayed the combination of pagan and Christian traditions, showing their unity, although it appeared long before such a need arose. True, history has shown something different, because the need for a new social formation, a new type of power - did not tolerate combinations and interpretations. The cross itself is a very capacious symbol, for example, it is a symbol of the four cardinal points, a circle as a symbol contains no less information, so this can be understood, for example, as a symbol of the continuity of time or being. In astrology, a circle is a symbol of matter, and a circle with a dot in the middle is a symbol of spiritualized matter, that is, living, animated by the presence of the spirit.
Celtic gods.
Kern, Hern, Cernunnos, Cernunnos - the deer god, able to change shape, his antlers are a sign of the ability to renew. It is he who begins the annual cycle after the winter solstice. His tree is pine or spruce. Epona is a white horse, she is associated with motherhood and with magic, Epona's functions are difficult to briefly describe. In short - the power of nature in fullness and perfection. Her tree is a willow. Goddesses of the Moon, magic, militant Mach, Badb, Morrigan... The tree is black elderberry. You can read about the Celtic gods and their paraphernalia in my "Celtic" posts, all together - in the post "astrological development", where I describe my method based on the druidic tradition.
Ogham alphabet. (For some reason, this is already missing in the book, today we are told a lot about the traditions of China, and nothing about those close to us)
The ancient Celtic alphabet, where each sign is associated with a certain tree, and each tree symbolizes a certain principle, is worthy of the most careful study.
And if very briefly and primitively:
A - ailim - pine, the principle of renewal, the beginning and cyclicality.
B - beit - birch, the principle of growth.
L - lewis - mountain ash, the principle of incarnating transformation.
F, V - fern - alder, active principle.
S - sayille - willow, the principle of intuitive and natural.
N - nuin - ash, the principle of training and mentoring.
O - ohn - gorse, the principle of independence.
H - huata - hawthorn, overcoming or saving.
D - duir - oak, the principle of vitality, lawful power.
T - tinne - holly, the principle of knowing the shadow side of being, the power of a bastard.
K, C - call - hazel, hazel, wisdom and poetry, the principle of deep knowledge.
Y-yoho - yew, real results, fruits.
Q - kuert - apple tree, the feminine principle in its fullness.
M - muin - grapes, transforming inspiration.
E - eadha - aspen, or the ordering power of the law leads to balance, or self-destruction and chaos occur.
G - gort - ivy, the power of the word, the transfer of information.
T - strife - blackthorn, mystery and results.
R - ruiz - black elderberry, the golden pillar of decay, disincarnation.
Old Norse sacred symbolism.
The central image of Scandinavian mythology is the world tree Yggdrasil. It was thought to be ash. This tree of life united three worlds: its upper branches - Asgard - the House of the Gods, the Middle - Midgard - the house of people, the roots - Niflheim - the afterlife. This is a common model of the world tree among all peoples.
An eagle lived at the top of Yggdrasil, four deer fed on its foliage from the four directions of the world, and a serpent or a dragon lived at the roots.
image source: http://www.mifograd.ru/scandinavia.html
In many traditions, Odin is the supreme God, he is a one-eyed blacksmith, the creator of the alphabet, a powerful and ambiguous master of reincarnations...
His horse is Sleipnir, "Sliding", the horse has eight legs, he is fast as lightning.
Also, Odin has two crows Hugig and Munin - Thinking and Remembering, and two wolves - Geri and Freki, Greedy and Gluttonous, whom he feeds from his plate.
Oh my God, without really telling anything about the Scandinavian symbolism, I should already move on and now show the runic alphabet, which for some reason is also not in the book. The alphabet is well known, but without it it's a mess.
"Feu" - fe - property (skand). Means property.
"Uruz" - urr - boar or bison. Life force, sexual potential.
"Turizas" - thorn - thorn (turn) (Brit), thurs (skand). Concentration.
"Anzus" - oss - ace (skand). Dualism. Often means the beginning of a journey, a fork in the road, or news.
"Raido" - reio (skand) Road.
"Kano" - kaun (skand). Torch.
"Gebo" - geofu (Brit) Dar. Unity in the balance of power.
"Vunyo" - wynn (Brit) Joy.
"Hagalas" - hagl (skand) - hail. Uncontrollable, spontaneous.
"Nautiz" - nauo (skand). Need.
"Isa" - iss (skand). Ice. Delay.
"Yer" - ear (scandal) Year. annual cycle.
"Eyvaz" - yr (skand) Pine. Protection.
"Perth" - peoro (Brit) Sign of the Phoenix, initiation.
"Algis" - elgr (Scand) Moose. Moose antler. Correct reaction as a defense.
"Soulu" - sol (skand) - the Sun. Integrity, clarity.
"Teyvaz" - tyr. Warrior.
"Berkana" - biarkan (skand) - Birch. Height.
"Eyvaz" - eoh (Brit) Horse. Impulse, natural driving force.
"Mannaz" - maor (skand) Man. Conscious.
"Lagus" - legr (skand) Water. Flow, the natural flow of things.
"Inguz" - ing (Brit) Fertility as a result.
"Othal" - eoel (Brit) - inheritance. It is believed that this is the rune of Odin, and it is ambiguous, as it means sacrifice, something must be given in order to receive something.
"Dagas" - dau (Brit). Day. A breakthrough, but often interpreted as a reversal.
Christian symbolism.
Trinity.
The Trinity symbolizes the unity of the three principles.
Initially, "Christianity inherited the Old Testament Jewish rejection of the figurative representation of God, therefore the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit) was originally symbolically depicted in the form of a triangle." Inside the triangle are eyes or a cloud from which a hand extends - God the Father, the written name of the son - God the Son, a white dove or flame - God the Holy Spirit. Many wonder where the feminine principle is in this universe, but we do not have it, such is the tradition.
crucifixion.
It means the crucified Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself for the people.
Instruments of the Passion (lat. Arma Christi) - important attributes of the Passion of the Lord, tools of the martyrdom of Jesus Christ. Includes the nails used to nail him to the cross, the spear that pierced his side, and the ladder that took him down. But often you can see a lot of different things.
The Virgin Mary.
Its symbolism is associated with purity and all-forgiving sorrow.
Madonna of Humility Fra Angelico
The Virgin Mary is often depicted in a blue cloak, a blue cloak is a sign of heavenly cover or baptismal water. White lily is a symbol of chosenness and immaculate conception in this concept. Often in paintings depicting the Annunciation, there is a white lily.
Martin Schongauer. Annunciation.
Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. A flaming heart pierced by seven arrows or swords symbolizes the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary.
Apostles, Christian saints and martyrs.
The 12 apostles also have their own symbolism. St. Peter - keys, St. James the Elder - a scallop shell, Judas Iscariot - a bag of money, 30 pieces of silver, a yellow cloak and a rope, St. Andrew - an oblique cross ... Among them are four evangelists: St. Matthew - a man with a halo and wings or money suma, St. Mark is a winged lion, which is also a symbol of Venice, where the relics of the saint are buried, St. Luke is a winged bull, since St. Luke focuses on the sacrifice of Christ, and the bull was a sacrificial animal, St. John is a winged eagle and a bowl with a snake .
St. John the Baptist - with a reed cross and in camel attire, St. Nicholas - the patron saint of sailors - his attribute is an anchor, St. Magdalene - a pot of incense, St. George - on a white horse, in a red cloak, piercing a snake with a spear, St. Eustace - a deer with a cross on her head, St. Cicelia - a portable organ, St. Barbara - a tower of a fortress, etc.
Cherubim and Seraphim symbolize divine wisdom. Angels are divine creatures, full of goodness and light.
Saint Michael - Archangel warrior, doing the will of God. With a sword and in armor, but at the Last Judgment - with scales. Saint Raphael is a companion on the road, with medicine, food and a bag of money.
It's no secret that the concept of beauty is not a constant value, and even very subjective. Everyone has their own taste and concept of beauty, however, cinema, the fashion industry, the world of music and other areas of show business dictate certain standards.
Let's go back one century and see how beauty standards have changed over the decades?
1900 - 1910
A controversial period, when decadent moods were traced in everything. Languor, pallor and tragedy are in fashion. The well-known ballerina of those days, the first performer of The Dying Swan, Anna Pavlova, got into the stream of this style. Her light and airy image for a long time became a symbol of the beauty of that period.
1910 - 1920
This time can be called the period of the birth of the androgynous type of beauty. Of course, not in the concept that we see with you, but it was the sex symbol of the 20s of the twentieth century Greta Garbo who became the trendsetter in this direction.
Her cold, stylish, slightly haughty image of a woman, mixed with a masculine lady in trousers, instantly became popular.
1920 - 1930
A short passage of time, a breath of peaceful air allowed the world of show business to shine in the spotlight. Luxury, sophisticated beauty, the golden era of cinema became the impetus for the popularity of actress Jean Harlow, whose appearance was seriously different from all previous stages in the development of beauty in this century.
This platinum blonde has always looked flawless, sensual and alluring.
1930 - 1940
Not only did the movie star Rita Hayworth, who appeared in all the magazines and on all the covers, made a turning point in the fashion for beauty. With her arrival, under the influence of the historical situation, the image of a strong self-confident brunette became popular, who, in anticipation of the war, did not wear silk dresses and lace, but tried to keep up with men.
Subtle, sensual, but at the same time determined and self-confident image of Rita has contributed. It was after her photo on the bomb that the concept of "sex bomb" began to be widely used.
1940 - 1950
When the world got up a little after the war, the fashion for luxury and external gloss returned. During this period, the bright and unrestrained blonde Marilyn Monroe burst into people's lives. Her spell extended to both sides of the ocean.
It was this beauty who became the ancestor of the blonde stereotype without a hint of intelligence, but with incredible sexuality.
1950 - 1960
It was during this period that the old stereotype began to break down and a new one was born. This period of time saw the appearance of the most unexpected standard of beauty - Barbie dolls. Her slender long legs, small breasts and flat stomach are fashionable for teenage beauty.
In honor of a woman with such tender and seemingly not fully formed body outlines. It was during this period that the incomparable Brigitte Bordeaux appeared. Her provocative and unbridled sexuality was confusing. She was admired and condemned at the same time.
Instead of styling - disheveled hair, instead of thin arrows - smeared smokey ice, jeans, shirts on a naked body and no complexes. She created an image of a young and windy, which instantly became fashionable and left a mark on the history of beauty for a long time.
1960 - 1970
The era of the birth of hippies, naked nudity in all its manifestations, free love and other attributes of that time became an excellent platform for the ascent of a new star, Jane Fonda.
She was not afraid to be frank and self-sufficient, to have her own view and opinion, and on the screen she continued to amaze with completely different roles. During this period, the emphasis was not so much on appearance, but on the fullness of this appearance ...
1970 - 1980
New standards - a fit, thin and tall woman. The sexual revolution led to the widespread emergence of feminism, the fashion for sports, attention to your body, and during this period she appears on the screens - Kim Basinger.
She became the legislator not only of beauty, but also of sexuality and the canons of sex, which have long been rooted in the minds of people.
1980 - 1990
Here it is, the period of the emergence of the mathematical formula of beauty 90-60-90. During this period, cinema came to a kind of decline, and fashion came to the forefront of the world of beauty.
Before that, nameless women in beautiful outfits suddenly became stars, they began to be recognized, they began to be equal to them. Models began to overshadow not only the outfits that were shown, but also fashion designers.
This period was the glory of such famous models as Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Kemble, Claudia Slate. The brightest of them was Cindy Crawford, whose face with the famous fly adorned the covers of more than 600 magazines.
1990 - 2000
At the beginning of a new century, the glare of supermodels is losing its relevance and the iconic role of cinema is returning. During this period, there is a mixture of tastes and cultures, the image of a woman with African American plump lips, straight long hair and a thin European nose comes into fashion.
This fashion falls on the peak of the popularity of the famous actress Angelina Jolie, whose appearance has become a fetish for many women and a way to make money for plastic surgeons.
2000 - our time
At the beginning of the new century, when the era of plastic surgery flourished, it was very difficult to talk about the standards of beauty. Women were thrown from extreme to extreme, unnaturally large plump forms or the desire for painful thinness no longer reminded of the standards of beauty.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most famous symbols of mankind, many of which you will probably be able to decipher without our tips.
Yin Yang
Black and white "fish" intertwined in a circle is one of the most popular symbols. There are many interpretations of it, but each of them is true in its own way. The black half embodies the dark, earthy, northern or feminine, and the white half embodies the opposite.
We know this symbol from Taoist philosophy, but in fact the harmony of dark and light came from Buddhist culture. Yin-Yang has become the personification of Eastern teachings and Chinese medicine.
The most common interpretation is the balance, harmony between the feminine and masculine, good and evil.
Magen David (Star of David)
Although today we perceive this symbol as exclusively Jewish, it appeared in India around the Bronze Age. Then he meant Anahata - the chakra that reveals all that is beautiful and is responsible for love.
By the way, even today this symbol is found in different cultures. For example, in Islam, the same six-pointed stars are depicted on the bedspread that covers the main shrine in Mecca.
They began to associate the Star of David with the Jews already in the Middle Ages, although at that time this symbol could more often be found in Arabic treatises.
Since this symbol was depicted on the family coat of arms of King David who lived in Iran, the star was called Magen David. It was also used by Heinrich Heine, who signed his articles in this way. The Rothschild family also included this sign in their coat of arms. Subsequently, Magen David became a symbol of the Zionists.
Caduceus
This is one of the oldest symbols that was used in the ritual ceremonies of ancient Egypt. By the way, its meaning is interpreted differently depending on the application. In ancient Rome, this sign was a symbol of immunity, in occultism - a sign of secret knowledge and the key to it. But in the United States in the century before last, the caduceus was distributed as a medical emblem.
But the most common meaning of the caduceus is its interpretation as a symbol of trade, wealth and prosperity. A torch with curly snakes is found on the emblem of the chamber of commerce, customs or tax service, courts and even some cities.
The torch is interpreted as the axis of life, and intertwined snakes symbolize movement, the struggle between good and evil, the unity of God and man, as well as many other phenomena and concepts.
chrism
This symbol is one of the most iconic symbols of Christians. He is known as the monogram of Christ, that is, chrism is the interweaving of the first two letters of his name. Although chrism is one of the symbols that were traditionally depicted on the banners of the Roman Empire.
There is an interpretation according to which this is an ancient symbol of the sun in some religions. That is why many Christian movements do not recognize this sign.
Ohm
An ancient sacred symbol for Hindus, which means the divine triad. He personifies Creation, Maintenance and Destruction, being the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
The mantra "Om" is a mantra of strength, mind and eternity. This is one of the symbols that has become popular in pop culture and cinema.
Chalice of Hygieia
Who has not seen this sign that has become a symbol of medicine? This emblem came to us from Ancient Greece, where it meant the struggle for health and strength. For the first time, doctors used it back in the days of the Roman conquests, and later this sign became a generally accepted symbol of medicine. Although the emblem of the WHO is slightly different - it is a snake wrapped around a staff. But we still know that an asp with a bowl means a medical preparation or an institution.
Ichthys
The graphic silhouette of a fish with an inscribed abbreviation in Greek "Jesus Christ - the Son of God" was used by the first Christians during the period of persecution. Fish is a symbol of Christianity, the apostles and religious teachings.
Today, the abbreviation itself is more common, although these crossed "crescents" can be found on ancient places of worship.
Rose of Wind
The wind rose is a symbol-amulet for sailors. They believed that this sign would help them return home and not go astray. But in some occult teachings there is a similar symbolism that personifies the angelic essence.
Wheel with 8 spokes
In different religions and religious rites, this symbol meant different things. But the most common interpretation is the sun, movement in a circle, fate, fortune.
In everyday life, the expression "Wheel of Fortune" is firmly entrenched. It came from this symbol.
Ouroboros
The serpent devouring its own tail represents the cycle of life and death. But with the advent of Christianity, where the serpent is the personification of evil, the ouroboros became a symbol of the struggle between good and evil.
Hammer and sickle
A relatively "young" symbol that came into the world with the communist movement. It was coined in 1918 and meant the peasantry (sickle) and the working class (hammer). Today it is perceived as a symbol of communism.
fleur-de-lis
Sign of royalty. It was especially widespread in France, although initially the flower was interpreted as a symbol of purity and innocence. In the Renaissance, this sign symbolized mercy and compassion. Many consider the fleur-de-lis to be a stylized iris flower.
Crescent
Initially, the crescent was the personification of the night deity. In some images from Ancient Egypt, we can see the headdresses with a crescent moon on the gods. But today it is the most established symbol of Islam. The crescent is also found in Christianity, where it symbolizes the Virgin Mary and Paradise.
double headed eagle
In ancient Sumer, the double-headed eagle was a solar symbol representing the sun and light. During the formation of the first states, the double-headed eagle became one of the most common symbols of empires. The symbol gained popularity as the coat of arms of the Roman Empire, the Paleolog dynasty (Byzantium) and the Golden Horde. Today it can often be found in the coats of arms of many states.
Pentacle
Since ancient times, it has been a symbol of protection. Appeared long before the emergence of world religions. But each of them found its own interpretation of the pentagram. For example, in Christianity it is a symbol of the five wounds on the body of Christ. But more the sign is known as Solomon's seal.
The pentagram is found in different meanings. It is used both as an occult symbol and as a religious one. The inverted pentagram is interpreted as a symbol of evil.
Swastika
Today, this symbol is associated with evil and fascism, having completely lost its original meaning. Moreover, in some countries this symbolism is prohibited by law.
But the history of the swastika begins 10 thousand years ago. Initially, it was interpreted as a wish for good luck and prosperity. In pre-Columbian America, the swastika meant the sun, life, movement.
All-seeing eye
A sign of truth, teaching and patronage. Found in ancient Egypt and in the modern world. For example, it can be seen on US currency banknotes. Usually used in conjunction with a triangle or pyramid symbol. The sign is found both in religious and occult movements, and in the symbolism of Masons.
Cross
Initially, the cross symbolized life and the sun. It was used by the priests of Ancient Egypt, India and other ancient civilizations.
With the advent of Christianity, the cross changed its meaning somewhat, becoming a symbol of death and resurrection. Today it is the most common sign of Christianity.
Pacific
One of the most common symbols that was invented as an emblem of the movement for nuclear disarmament. But gradually its original meaning was transformed into universal reconciliation and the renunciation of the use of military force. Now this sign is an international symbol of peace.
Olympic rings
The most famous sports symbol. It has several interpretations: five rings - five continents, five rings as five skills that each competitor must master. There is another meaning in which five colors mean five elements surrounding a person.
Compasses and square
A symbol that has always been attributed only to the Masonic lodge. But its interpretation is quite diverse. The compass means the sky, and the square means the earth, symbolizing the unity of the spiritual and the earthly. Often in the resulting rhombus, the letter G is depicted, which is interpreted as the soul of a person.
Smile
The most popular Internet symbol that has only one meaning is have a happy day. Initially, the smiley was the emblem of an advertising campaign, but very soon the sign joined any message that they want to give goodwill.
dollar sign
This sign denotes not only the American currency, but also any other that has the name "dollar". But the origin of this symbol remains a mystery. There is an interpretation that the dollar is an abbreviation for the peso currency, because initially the Spaniards dominated the continent. According to another version, this is a graphic designation of the path and the pillars of Hercules.
Mars and Venus signs
This symbol appeared in Antiquity. A circle with a stripe down means Venus, who admires her beauty in the mirror. A circle with an arrow up means the strength and courage of martial Mars.
Symbols are the most international and timeless language. We see them every day and roughly know what they mean. However, symbols in the course of their thousand-year history could change their meaning to the opposite.
Yin Yang
Appearance time: According to the well-known Russian orientalist, Doctor of Historical Sciences Alexei Maslov, the yin-yang symbolism was probably borrowed by the Taoists from Buddhists in the 1st-3rd centuries: “they were attracted by Buddhist drawn symbols - and Taoism had its own“ mandala ”: the famous black and white“ fish "yin and yang".
Where used: The concept of yin-yang is the key to Taoism and Confucianism, the doctrine of yin-yang is one of the foundations of traditional Chinese medicine.
Values: In the Book of Changes, yang and yin were used to express light and dark, hard and soft. In the process of development of Chinese philosophy, yang and yin increasingly symbolized the interaction of extreme opposites: light and dark, day and night, sun and moon, sky and earth, heat and cold, positive and negative, even and odd, and so on.
Initially, "yin" meant "northern, shady", and "yang" - "southern, sunny slope of the mountain." Later, "yin" was perceived as negative, cold, dark and feminine, and "yang" as positive, bright, warm and masculine.
Being the main (fundamental) model of everything that exists, the concept of yin-yang reveals two provisions that explain the nature of Tao. First, everything is constantly changing. Secondly, opposites complement each other (there can be no black without white, and vice versa). The purpose of human existence, therefore, is the balance and harmony of opposites. There can be no "final victory" because there is nothing final, there is no end as such
Magen David
Appearance time: It is authentically known that the hexagram was widely used in the Bronze Age (end of IV-beginning of III millennium BC) on a vast territory: from India to the Middle East.
Where used: In ancient India, the hexagram was called Anahata or Anahata-chakra. The six-pointed star was known in the ancient Near and Middle East. In the Islamic tradition, in Mecca, the main Muslim shrine - the Kaaba - is traditionally covered with a silk coverlet, which depicts hexagonal stars.
They began to associate the six-pointed star with Jewry only in the Middle Ages, and in medieval Arabic books the hexagram is found much more often than in Jewish mystical works, and for the first time images of the hexagram appear in Jewish sacred books in Muslim countries, only in the XIII century reaching Germany. The six-pointed star is found on the flags of the Muslim states of Karaman and Kandara.
There is an assumption that the hexagram was a family symbol of the family of David al-Roi, who lived in Iran, one of the contenders for the role of Mashiach. This is sometimes used to explain the origin of the accepted name of the hexagram: Magen David, or "David's shield".
The Rothschild family, having received a title of nobility, included Magen David in their family coat of arms. Heinrich Heine put a hexagram instead of a signature under his newspaper articles. Subsequently, it was adopted as a symbol of the Zionist movement.
Values: In India, the Anahata hexagram symbolized the attic chakra, the intersection of the male (Shiva) and female (Shakti) principles. In the Middle and Near East, the hexagram was a symbol of the goddess Astarte. The six-pointed star is included in the symbolism of Kabbalah: two triangles superimposed on each other are considered as a visual symbol of the Sefirot.
In the twenties of the twentieth century, Franz Rosenzweig interpreted Magen David as a symbolic expression of his philosophical ideas about the meaning of Judaism and the relationship between God, man and the universe.
The connection of the six-pointed star with the Jews was finally established as a result of Nazi policy in Germany. Yellow Magen David has become a symbol of the Holocaust.
Caduceus
Appearance time: The exact time of appearance of the caduceus is unknown. Obviously, this is a very ancient symbol. It is also found on the monuments of Ancient India and Ancient Egypt, Phoenicia and Sumer, Ancient Greece, Iran, Rome and even Mesoamerica.
Where used: Caduceus - and today one of the most common symbols in heraldry. In the form of a caduceus, there was a rod of heralds among the Greeks and Romans (the rod of Hermes). When they were sent to the enemy camp, the caduceus was a guarantee of their immunity.
In the occult, the caduceus is considered a symbol of the key that opens the limit between darkness and light, good and evil, life and death.
Since the 19th century, the image of the caduceus has often been used in a number of countries (for example, in the USA) as a symbol of medicine, which is the result of a common mistake due to its resemblance to the staff of Asclepius.
The image of the caduceus as an attribute of the god of commerce is traditionally used in the symbols of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in a number of countries around the world, including Russia.
Before the revolution and in several periods after it, crossed caduceuses were used as a customs emblem.
Today, the caduceus, crossed with a torch, is included in the emblem of the Federal Customs Service and is one of the heraldic symbols of arbitration courts, the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation and the State Tax Service of Ukraine. Since September 2007, the caduceus has been used in the emblem of the Russian Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund.
In heraldry, the caduceus was used in the historical emblems of the following cities of the Russian Empire: Balta, Verkhneudinsk, Yeniseisk, Irbit, Nezhin, Taganrog, Telshev, Tiflis, Ulan-Ude, Feodosia, Kharkov, Berdichev, Talny.
Meaning: The stem of the caduceus is symbolically associated with the tree of life, the axis of the world, and the snakes are associated with the cyclical rebirth of Nature, with the restoration of the universal Order when it is violated.
The snakes on the caduceus indicate a hidden dynamic in what is outwardly stable, they symbolize two multidirectional flows (up and down), the connection of heaven and earth, God and man (the wings on the caduceus also indicate the connection of heaven and earth, spiritual and material) - everything that is born on earth comes from heaven and, after going through the path of trials and suffering, gains life experience, must rise to heaven.
It is said about Mercury that with his staff - which has since been considered a symbol of peace, harmony - he separated two fighting snakes. Fighting snakes are a mess, chaos, they need to be divided, that is, to distinguish, see opposites and unite, overcome them. Then, having united, they will balance the Axis of the world, and around it from Chaos the Cosmos, harmony will be created. Truth is one, and in order to arrive at it, one must follow the straight road, which is symbolized by the axis of the caduceus.
Caduceus in the Vedic tradition is also interpreted as a symbol of Serpent Fire, or Kundalini. Wrapping around the central axis, the snakes are connected at seven points, they are associated with the chakras. Kundalini, Serpent Fire, sleeps in the base chakra, and when it wakes up as a result of evolution, it ascends along the spine along three paths: the central one, Shushumna, and two side ones, which form two intersecting spirals - Pingala (this is the right, masculine and active, spiral) and Ide (left, female and passive).
chrism
Appearance time: It is not known for certain, but researchers suggest that even during the life of the apostles, that is, in the 1st century. This symbol has been found in Christian tombs since the 3rd century AD.
Where used: The most famous use of the symbol is on the labarum, the state banner of imperial Rome. The symbol was first introduced by Emperor Constantine the Great after he saw the sign of the cross in the sky on the eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312).
The labarum of Constantine had a chrysm at the end of the shaft, and on the very cloth there was an inscription: lat. Hoc vince The first mention of the labarum is found in Lactantius (d. c. 320).
Values: Chrism is a monogram of the name of Christ, which consists of two initial Greek letters of the name (Greek ΧΡΙΣΤΌΣ) - Χ (chi) and Ρ (ro), crossed with each other. The Greek letters α and ω are often placed along the edges of the monogram. They go back to the text of the Apocalypse: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord, who is and was and is to come, the Almighty."
A number of later researchers saw in the letters P and X, enclosed in a circle, the ancient pagan symbol of the Sun. For this reason, Protestants, as a rule, do not recognize the labarum as an original Christian symbol.
Appearance time: The symbol itself appeared during the formation of the syllabic alphabet of the Devanagari script (“divine city letter”), that is, in the VIII-XII centuries.
Where used: "Om" as a symbol denoting the sacred sound "Om" is used in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Shaivism, Vishnuism, yogic practices. Currently, "Om" has already become part of pop culture, it is applied as a print on clothes, tattoos are made. "Om" is featured on George Harrison's albums, the mantra "Om" is used in the chorus of The Beatles' "Across the Universe" and in the soundtrack to the film "The Matrix" in Juno Reactor's "Navras"
Values: In the Hindu and Vedic tradition, "Om" is a sacred sound, the original mantra, the "word of power." Often interpreted as a symbol of the divine triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
In Hinduism, "Om" symbolizes the three sacred texts of the Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, in itself is a sacred mantra from the very beginning, symbolizing Brahman. Its three components (A, U, M) traditionally symbolize Creation, Maintenance and Destruction - the categories of the cosmogony of the Vedas and Hinduism.
In Buddhism, the three sounds of the word "Om" can represent the Body, Speech and Mind of the Buddha, the Three Bodies of the Buddha (Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, Nirmanakaya) and the three jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). However, the buddhologist Yevgeny Torchinov noted that the syllable "Om" and similar syllables ("hum", "ah", "hri", "e-ma-ho") "do not have any dictionary meaning" and pointed out that these syllables, unlike from other syllables of mantras represent "sacred untranslatability" in the Mahayana tradition.
Ichthys
Time and place of origin: Images of the acronym ΙΧΘΥΣ (from the Greek. Jesus Christ the Son of God the Savior) or the fish symbolizing it first appear in the Roman catacombs in the 2nd century. The widespread use of this symbol is evidenced by the mention of it by Tertullian at the beginning of the 3rd century: “We are small fish, led by our ikhthus, we are born in the water and can only be saved by being in the water.”
Where used: The acronym Ichthys began to be used by the first Christians, since the images of Christ were unacceptable due to persecution.
Values: The symbolism of the fish was associated in the New Testament with the preaching of the apostles, some of whom were fishermen. Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew called his disciples "fishers of men", and the Kingdom of Heaven likened "a net thrown into the sea and capturing fish of every kind." Ichthys was also associated with Alpha from the words of Jesus Christ: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
At the end of the 20th century, ichthys became a popular symbol among Protestants in different countries, and opponents of creationism began to parody this sign by sticking a fish sign with the word "Darwin" and small legs on their cars.
Chalice of Hygiea
Time and place of origin: Ancient Greece. III-I millennium BC
Where used: Hygeia in Greek mythology was the goddess of health, the daughter or wife of the god of healing Asclepius. From her name came the word "hygiene". Often she was depicted as a young woman feeding a snake from a phial bowl. In Greek mythology, the snake was also a symbol of the goddess Athena, who was often depicted as Hygea and vice versa.
Values: In ancient Greece, Hygiea personified the principle of a just war for health as light and harmony on all planes. And if Asclepius began to act when the order was violated, then Hygieia maintained the order-law that reigns initially.
The snake in ancient traditions symbolized death and immortality, good and evil. They were personified by her forked tongue, and the poisonousness of her bites, along with the healing effect of the poison, and the ability to hypnotize small animals and birds.
The snake was depicted on the first-aid kit of a Roman military doctor. In the Middle Ages, the combination of images of a snake and a bowl on the emblem was used by pharmacists in the Italian city of Padua, and only later this private pharmaceutical symbol turned into a generally accepted medical sign.
A bowl with a snake in our time is considered a symbol of medicine and pharmacy. However, in the history of medicine in different countries, a snake wrapped around a staff was more often considered the emblem of healing. This image was adopted in the middle of the WHO at the UN at the First World Assembly in Geneva in 1948. Then the international health emblem was approved, in the center of which is placed a staff entwined with a snake.
Rose of Wind
Date of occurrence: The first mention is in 1300 AD, but scientists are sure that the symbol is older.
Where used: Initially, the wind rose was used by the sailors of the Northern Hemisphere.
Meaning: The wind rose is a vector symbol invented in the Middle Ages to help sailors. The wind rose or compass rose also symbolizes the four cardinal directions along with intermediate directions. Thus, she shares the symbolic meaning of the circle, the center, the cross and the rays of the sun wheel. In the XVIII - XX centuries, sailors stuffed tattoos depicting a wind rose as a talisman. They believed that such a talisman would help them return home. Nowadays, the wind rose is perceived as a symbol of a guiding star.
Wheel with 8 spokes
Date of occurrence: about 2000 BC
Where used: Egypt, Middle East, Asia.
Meaning: The wheel is a symbol of the sun, a symbol of cosmic energy. In almost all pagan cults, the wheel was an attribute of the solar gods, it symbolized the life cycle, constant rebirth and renewal.
In modern Hinduism, the wheel means endless perfect completion. In Buddhism, the wheel symbolizes the eightfold path of salvation, the cosmos, the wheel of samsara, the symmetry and perfection of dharma, the dynamics of peaceful change, time and destiny.
There is also the concept of "wheel of fortune", which means a series of ups and downs, the unpredictability of fate. In Germany in the Middle Ages, an 8-spoke wheel was associated with Ahtwen, a magical rune spell. At the time of Dante, the Wheel of Fortune was depicted with 8 spokes of opposite sides of human life, periodically repeating: poverty-wealth, war-peace, obscurity-glory, patience-passion. The Wheel of Fortune is included in the Major Arcana of the Tarot, often with an ascending and falling figure, like the wheel described by Boethius. The Wheel of Fortune tarot card continues to depict these figures.
Ouroboros
Date of occurrence: the first images of the ouroboros date back to 4200 BC, but historians believe that the symbol itself arose much earlier.
Where used: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Mesoamerica, Scandinavia, India, China.
Meaning: Ouroboros is a serpent devouring its own tail, a symbol of eternity and infinity, as well as the cyclical nature of life, the alternation of life and death. This is how the ouroboros was perceived in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.
In Christianity, the symbol changed its meaning, since in the Old Testament the snake symbolized evil. Thus, the ancient Jews established an equal sign between the ouroboros and the serpent from the Bible. In Gnosticism, the ouroboros personifies both good and evil at the same time.
Hammer and sickle
Date of occurrence: in the state heraldry - 1918.
Where used: USSR and various communist parties of the world
Meaning: The hammer has been a craft emblem since the Middle Ages. In the second half of the 19th century, the hammer became a symbol of the European proletariat. In Russian heraldry, the sickle meant harvest and harvest, and was often used in the coats of arms of various cities. But since 1918, these two signs have been combined into one, acquiring a new meaning. The hammer and sickle became a symbol of the ruling working class, the union of workers and peasants.
The moment of the creation of the symbol was described by Sergey Gerasimov, the author of the famous painting “Mother of the Partisan”, as follows: “Yevgeny Kamzolkin, standing next to me, thoughtfully said: - What if we try such symbolism? - At the same time, he began to walk on the canvas. - This is how to depict a sickle - it will be the peasantry, and inside the hammer - it will be the working class.
On the same day, the sickle and hammer were sent from Zamoskvorechye to the Moscow City Council, and all other sketches were rejected there: a hammer with an anvil, a plow with a sword, a scythe with a wrench. Further, this symbol was transferred to the state emblem of the Soviet Union, and the name of the artist was forgotten for many years. They remembered him only in the post-war period. Evgeny Kamzolkin lived a quiet life in Pushkino and did not claim royalties for such a quoted symbol.
Lily
Date of occurrence: in heraldry, the lily has been used since 496 AD.
Where used: European countries, especially France.
Meaning: According to legend, the king of the Franks Clovis was given a golden lily by an angel after he converted to Christianity. But lilies became an object of reverence much earlier. The Egyptians considered them a symbol of purity and innocence. In Germany, they believed that the lily symbolizes the afterlife and the atonement of sins. In Europe, before the Renaissance, the lily was a sign of mercy, justice and compassion. She was considered a royal flower. Today, the lily is a well-established sign in heraldry.
Recent research has shown that the fleur-de-lis, in its classic form, is actually a stylized image of the iris.
Crescent
Date of occurrence: approximately 3500 BC
Where used: crescent crescent was an attribute of almost all lunar deities. It was distributed in Egypt, Greece, Sumer, India, Byzantium. After the conquest of Constantinople by the Muslims, the crescent became strongly associated with Islam.
Meaning: In many religions, the crescent moon symbolizes constant rebirth and immortality. Christians revered the crescent as a sign of the Virgin Mary, and in Western Asia they believed that the crescent of the moon is a sign of cosmic forces. In Hinduism, the crescent was considered a symbol of mind control, and in Islam - divine patronage, growth and rebirth. The crescent with a star meant heaven.
double headed eagle
Date of occurrence: 4000-3000 BC
Where used: Sumer, Hittite kingdom, Eurasia.
Meaning: In Sumer, the double-headed eagle had religious significance. He was a solar symbol - one of the images of the sun. Approximately from the XIII century BC. e. the double-headed eagle was used by various countries and principalities as a coat of arms. The double-headed eagle was minted on the coins of the Golden Horde; in Byzantium, it was a symbol of the Palaiologos dynasty, which ruled from 1261 to 1453. The double-headed eagle was depicted on the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire. To this day, this symbol is the central image of the emblems of many countries, including Russia.
Pentacle
Date of occurrence: the first images date back to 3500 BC.
Where used: Since the ancient Sumerians, this sign has been used by almost every civilization
Meaning: The five-pointed star is considered a sign of protection. The Babylonians used it as a talisman against thieves, the Jews associated the five-pointed star with the five wounds on the body of Christ, and the magicians of medieval Europe knew the pentacle as the "seal of King Solomon." The star is still actively used both in religion and in the symbolism of different countries.
Swastika
Date of occurrence: The first images date back to 8000 BC.
Where used: In Eastern Europe, Western Siberia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, pre-Columbian America. Extremely rare among the Egyptians. Among the ancient monuments of Phoenicia, Arabia, Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Sumer, Australia, Oceania, the swastika was not found.
Meaning: The word "swastika" can be translated from Sanskrit as a greeting and a wish of good luck. The swastika, as a symbol, has a great many meanings, but the most ancient of them are movement, life, the Sun, light, well-being.
Due to the fact that the swastika was used in Nazi Germany, this symbol began to be firmly associated with Nazism, despite the original symbol of the sign.
All-seeing eye
Date of occurrence: 1510-1515 AD, but in pagan religions, a symbol similar to the all-seeing eye appeared much earlier.
Where used: Europe, Asia, Oceania, Ancient Egypt.
Meaning: The all-seeing eye is the sign of the all-seeing and all-knowing god who watches over mankind. In ancient Egypt, the analogue of the All-Seeing Eye was Wadjet (the eye of Horus or the eye of Ra), which symbolized various aspects of the divine structure of the world. The all-seeing eye, inscribed in a triangle, was a symbol of Freemasonry. Freemasons revered the number three as a symbol of the trinity, and the eye, located in the center of the triangle, symbolized the hidden truth.
Cross
Date of occurrence: approximately 4000 BC
Where used: Egypt, Babylon, India, Syria, Persia, Egypt, North and South America. After the birth of Christianity, the cross spread throughout the world.
Meaning: In ancient Egypt, the cross was considered a divine sign and symbolized life. In Assyria, a cross enclosed in a ring was a symbol of the sun god. The inhabitants of South America believed that the cross drives away evil spirits.
From the 4th century, the cross was adopted by Christians, and its meaning has changed somewhat. In the modern world, the cross is associated with death and resurrection, as well as with salvation and eternal life.
Anarchy
The combination "A in a circle" was used as early as the 16th century by European alchemists under the influence of Kabbalistic magic as the first letters of the words: "Alpha and Omega", the beginning and the end.
In the modern tradition, it was first used in the Spanish section of the 1st International as a designation for the catchphrase of the famous anarchist J. Proudhon "Anarchy is the mother of order" in capital letters "l'anarchie" and "l'ordre".
Pacific
The famous symbol was developed in 1958 in Britain at the height of the movement against nuclear war as a combination of the symbols of the semaphore alphabet "N" and "D" (the first letters of the phrase "nuclear disarmament" - nuclear disarmament). Later it began to be used as a symbol of universal reconciliation and the unity of mankind.
Card suits
In the classic (and most modern) French deck, the symbols of the suits were four signs - hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs, in the form in which they received mass use.
The oldest European deck - Italian-Spanish, which passed directly from the Arabs, depicted coins instead of tambourines, instead of a spade - a sword, instead of a red heart - a cup, and instead of a clover - a club.
Signs of suits came to the modern look by gradual euphemization. Thus, tambourines denoted money as metal rattles (before, tambourines were rhombic in shape), clover was previously an acorn, the shape of a spade resembled leaves, which was reflected in the German deck, and the goblet underwent a complex evolution from the image of a rose to a heart. Each suit symbolized the feudal estates: the merchants, the peasantry, the knights and the clergy, respectively.
16. Anchor
Appearance time: the first centuries of our era.
Where used: Everyone knows the symbol of the anchor as a marine emblem. However, in the first centuries of the new era, the anchor was closely associated with Christianity. For the early Christians, who saw in it the hidden form of the cross, the anchor personified the hope of salvation with caution, security and strength.
In Christian iconography, the anchor, as an emblem of security, is the main attribute of St. Nicholas of Myra - the patron saint of sailors. Another meaning should be attributed to the anchor of the semi-legendary Pope Clement (88?-97?). According to church tradition, during the period of persecution of Christians, the pagans hung an anchor around the Pope's neck and drowned him in the sea. However, the sea waves soon parted, exposing the temple of God at the bottom. In this mythical underwater temple, the body of the holy champion of the faith was allegedly discovered.
Values: There are several anchor values. The anchor is a sacred object to which sacrifices were made, because it was often the only salvation for sailors. On the coins of Greece, Syria, Carthage, Phoenicia and Rome, the anchor was more often than others depicted as a symbol of hope.
In the art of ancient Rome, the anchor symbolized the joy of returning home after a long journey. On the graves of the 1st century, the image of an anchor was associated with the image of the church as a ship that carries souls across the stormy sea of life.
The apostle Paul in his letter to the Hebrews compared hope to a safe and strong anchor. The Greek word "ankura" (anchor) was associated with the Latin expression "en kurio", that is, "in the Lord.
In the fine arts of the Renaissance, the anchor also means an attribute of hope. The allegorical emblem, which depicts a dolphin with an anchor, was especially popular in Renaissance painting. The dolphin symbolized speed, and the anchor - restraint. At the bottom of the emblem was the inscription: "Hurry up slowly"
Olympic rings
Appearance time: The Olympic emblem was first introduced in 1920 at the 8th Summer Olympic Games in Antwerp.
Where is used: One of the most recognizable symbols in the world consists of five rings, the uniqueness of the emblem lies in the simplicity of execution. The rings are arranged in a W-shaped order, the colors are arranged in a strict order: blue, black, red, yellow and green.
What were the meanings: There are several theories about the origin and interpretation of the emblem of the Olympic Games. The first and main version says that the Olympic rings symbolically depict the unity of the five continents, which was invented by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1913.
Until 1951, there was a belief that each color corresponded to a separate continent. Europe was designated in blue, Africa in black, America in red, Asia in yellow, green in Australia, but in 1951 they decided to move away from this distribution of colors in order to move away from racial discrimination.
Another version says that the idea of five multi-colored rings is taken from Carl Jung. During the period of fascination with Chinese philosophy, he connected the circle (a symbol of greatness and vitality) with five colors, reflecting the types of energies (water, wood, fire, earth and metal).
In 1912, the psychologist introduced a new image of the Olympic competitions, because in his opinion, each participant in the Olympic Games had to master each of the five sports - swimming (water - blue), fencing (fire - red), cross-country running (land - yellow), equestrian (wood - green) and shooting (metal - black)
The emblem of the five rings hides a deep meaning that reveals the essence of the sport. It contains the idea of popularizing the Olympic movement, the equality of each participating country, fair treatment of the athlete, healthy competition.
Compasses and Square
Appearance time: Henry Wilson Coyle, in The Masonic Encyclopedia, states that the Compass and Square in weave appeared on the seal of the Aberdeen lodge in 1762.
Where is used: Using a compass and a square, you can draw a circle inscribed in a square, and this is a reference to the seventh problem of Euclid, squaring the circle. But you should not assume that the Compasses and the Square necessarily refer you to a mathematical problem, rather they symbolize a person’s desire to achieve harmony between spiritual and physical nature.
Values: In this emblem, the Compasses depicts the vault of heaven, and the Square - the Earth. The sky is symbolically connected with the place where the Great Builder of the Universe draws his plan, and the Earth is the place where man does his work. The compass, combined with the Square, is one of the most common symbols of Freemasonry.
If everything is clear with the name, then the origin of the $ icon is still a mystery. The following version is considered the most similar to the truth: the Spanish abbreviation "P" s, which once denoted the currency of Spain, the peso. The letter P presumably left a vertical line, this allowed to increase the speed of writing, and the letter S remained unchanged. There is also a conspiracy version, along which two lines are the Pillars of Hercules.
Mars and Venus
Appearance time: The well-known sign of Mars ♂ and Venus ♀, borrowed from astrology, was introduced by the botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1751 to indicate the sex of plants. Since then, these two characters are called gender.
Where is used: The symbol of Venus ♀ denotes the feminine and is used to denote a woman, a female. Accordingly, the symbol of Mars ♂ personifies the masculine principle.
What values A: The first symbols of Mars and Venus appeared in antiquity. The female sign of Venus is depicted as a circle with a cross pointing down. It is called the "Mirror of Venus", this sign symbolizes femininity, beauty and love. The male sign of Mars is depicted as a circle with an arrow pointing up and to the right. Mars means the power of the god of war, this symbol is also called the “shield and spear of Mars.” The combined symbols of Venus and Mars mean heterosexuality, love between members of different sexes.
SYMBOLS NATIONAL
SYMBOLS STATE; SYMBOLS NATIONAL(Greek symbolon - sign) - special, usually historically established, distinctive signs of a particular state established by the constitution or a special law, embodying its national sovereignty, identity, and sometimes also bearing a certain ideological, see ysl. To the main S.g. usually include the state flag, the state coat of arms, the state anthem, state colors, the standard of the head of state, the state seal, the motto of the state. Sometimes constitutions are referred to as S.g. certain solemn dates (for example, the Romanian Constitution of 1991 - National Day December 1). This year are usually established by the constitution of the state, and their detailed description and procedure for use are determined in a special law or other act of national importance. The state has the exclusive right to establish its symbols. Violation of the procedure for using S.g., as well as disrespectful attitude towards them, and even more so their desecration, entails administrative or criminal punishment. According to Art. 70 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the state flag, coat of arms and anthem of the Russian Federation, their description and the procedure for official use are established by the FKZ. Avakyaya S.A.,
Law Encyclopedia. 2005 .
See what "NATIONAL SYMBOLS" is in other dictionaries:
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Law Dictionary
- (national) (Greek sym bolon sign) special, usually historically established, distinctive signs of a particular state established by the constitution or a special law, embodying its national sovereignty, identity, and sometimes ... Law Encyclopedia
state symbols- (national) (gr. symbolon sign) distinctive signs of a particular state established by the constitution or a special law, embodying its national sovereignty and identity. To the main S.g. include: state flag, coat of arms ... ... Big Law Dictionary
Chemical sign of the diatomic molecule of chlorine 35 Symbols of chemical elements (chemical signs) conventional designation of chemical elements. Together with chemical formulas, schemes and equations of chemical reactions form a formal language ... ... Wikipedia
The national symbols of Scotland include flags, icons, as well as cultural phenomena that reflect the spirit of Scotland and its culture. Contents 1 Flags 2 Heraldry 3 Anthem ... Wikipedia
Approval EU Symbol CoE Flag Yes Yes Anthem Yes Yes Motto Yes ... Wikipedia
Wikipedia has a portal ... Wikipedia
This article lacks links to sources of information. Information must be verifiable, otherwise it may be questioned and removed. You can ... Wikipedia
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- A set of posters "National symbols of Russia". 8 posters with methodological support. GEF, . A set of posters "National Symbols of Russia" is 8 posters depicting the national symbols of Russia: the Kremlin, the Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell, the most famous historical monuments. …
