Western Symbolism thread

[Apech]

That was an interesting post Turtle and Apech. I'm good with shamanic visions as long as they're not being thrown at me by TBTB:-) In other words, I'd rather people had their own shamanic visions and that the latter were encouraged (currently not the case, as far as I know) through self-discovery.

As for her very big tattoo of Maat on her chest. Which she said was Isis, but apparently not. Well that's something else.

 

Apech, anything from Hancock you think is a must see/read?

 

Hancock's better on his druggy stuff than on Egypt that's for sure. No personally I wouldn't read him but I remember a talk on youtube where he said this about human's with animal heads ... related it to cave paintings ...

[Aetherous]

As for her very big tattoo of Maat on her chest. Which she said was Isis, but apparently not. Well that's something else.

 

LOL...speaks volumes about how these symbols are being used (but maybe the two are similarly depicted? I don't know much about Egypt). I do kind of like Rihanna, despite not being a pop music fan whatsoever. Guilty pleasure.

Edited December 3, 2012 by turtle shell

[Apech]

LOL...speaks volumes about how these symbols are being used (but maybe the two are similarly depicted? I don't know much about Egypt). I do kind of like Rihanna, despite not being a pop music fan whatsoever. Guilty pleasure.

 

Well Isis and Maat are quite distinct ... with the only caveat that during the very late period Isis became a sort of universal mother goddess and assimilated just about every other goddess going (including many non-Egyptian ones) so maybe she assimilated Maat as well.

 

Perhaps Rihanna will assimilate Lady Gaga and form a syncretic diva called Rihgaga. I think it might happen. Or even Whitney-Britney-Rhianagaga ... that would be a sight worth seeing.

 

BTW ... are we actually going to discuss some western symbolism? I wouldn't mind ... but I've read this thread ...

[Aetherous]

Perhaps Rihanna will assimilate Lady Gaga and form a syncretic diva called Rihgaga. I think it might happen. Or even Whitney-Britney-Rhianagaga ... that would be a sight worth seeing.

 

I think we're going to throw some Madonna in there and call it Madbritrihagagaitney

 

BTW ... are we actually going to discuss some western symbolism? I wouldn't mind ... but I've read this thread ...

 

We can. Anyone can start with a symbol and start talking.

 

For instance, I wonder what the IRS building symbols mean exactly, from someone who might actually know. We have to admit, it's creepy looking.

 

 

Why are the hands on the two pillars? Why are they making those specific gestures? Who had such bad taste in art?

Edited December 4, 2012 by turtle shell

[Apech]

"Madbritrihagagaitney"

... should we start our own cult????

 

 

What is this IRS building? A tax office? and where is it ... so I can stay away.

[eye_of_the_storm]

IRS Headquarters, Maryland

Edited December 4, 2012 by White Wolf Running On Air

[Seth Ananda]

"Madbritrihagagaitney"

... should we start our own cult????

 

Sounds like this Goddess has a bit of the Morrigan, and maybe some Sheela Na Gig going on...

[theurgy]

I think we're going to throw some Madonna in there and call it Madbritrihagagaitney

 

 

 

We can. Anyone can start with a symbol and start talking.

 

For instance, I wonder what the IRS building symbols mean exactly, from someone who might actually know. We have to admit, it's creepy looking.

 

 

Why are the hands on the two pillars? Why are they making those specific gestures? Who had such bad taste in art?

 

This looks to be basic Masonic/Kabbalistic symbolism. The two pillars of Soloman's Temple are here depicted. The pillar of Boaz/Severity (Left) points its finger showing the active principle this pillar represets. The Pillar of Jachin/Mercy (Right) has an open hand depicting receptivity and the passive principle.

Edited December 5, 2012 by theurgy

[Aetherous]

Excellent, theurgy!

 

edit: By the way, why is severity active, and mercy passive? Is that just the correlation between symbols...or is there a choice to go that route with severity taking precedence, or can one reverse it?

 

In human interaction, to me, it seems like severity (and all that implies) comes easily and requires the most passivity to accomplish. Our natural mode is self defense, righteous anger, punishment of others, etc. When we feel like shit, we unload it onto someone else who we feel deserves it. On "the other hand", Mercy seems like the hardest thing, and therefore, the thing that requires the most activity on part of the person. To turn the other cheek, pray for those who do wrong, tip the scales in their favor sometimes, etc...it's like swimming upstream and completely denying your every instinct.

 

Funny also, that the IRS is claiming basically "No mercy!" here, or with an open hand accepting mercy for themselves, while doling out severity to the people.

 

I'm probably just misinterpreting this...

Edited December 5, 2012 by turtle shell

[Apech]

This looks to be basic Masonic/Kabbalistic symbolism. The two pillars of Soloman's Temple are here depicted. The pillar of Boaz/Severity (Left) points its finger showing the active principle this pillar represets. The Pillar of Jachin/Mercy (Right) has an open hand depicting receptivity and the passive principle.

 

Not sure about that interpretation of the hands but ... the Pillars of Solomon's temple almost certainly taken from Egyptian temples where the two trapezoidal towers which flanked the entrance gate are identified as Isis and Nephthys ... the two sister goddesses who rescue and give rebirth to Osiris. Isis is identified in the Pyramid Texts with up upward movement (into light) and Nephthys with the downflow (into dark) ... life and death or the natural cycling of energy between heaven and earth. Osiris being the equivalent of the middle pillar.

 

So one is giving (Isis) and the other is taking (Nephthys) ... in the Tarot these are the Empress = Isis and High Priestess = Nephthys.

[Birch]

One giving and the other taking? Sounds about right for the IRS.

What about the pyramid, oh King:-)?

[Apech]

One giving and the other taking? Sounds about right for the IRS.

What about the pyramid, oh King:-)?

 

That would be Osiris, or perhaps his phallus, when linked with the cap stone with the eye on it that would be Horus. Also the pyramid is the benben stone the site of the original creation in the first time (zep tawi) when the world was created.

 

BTW I'm not sure I agree with the active/passive interpretation of Mercy and Severity. Mercy is the giving ... the gentle dew that drops from heaven ... while severity is the law, the world of form which hides the secret mysteries.

[Apech]

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown;

His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above this sceptred sway;

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest God's

When mercy seasons justice.

[Apech]

Curse my luck, you are right. My memory failed me on this one and I did not have any reference books, and without checking first I reversed them. I believe I have the actions correct associated with the Sephiroth, but definitely reversed the active/passive.

 

OK ... then we agree.

[eye_of_the_storm]

Why this association with the IRS?

[Aetherous]

We should ask them!

 

edit: I've submitted an email, and should get a response in 48 hours.

 

Their logo:

 

Edited December 5, 2012 by turtle shell

[Apech]

We should ask them!

 

edit: I've submitted an email, and should get a response in 48 hours.

 

Their logo:

 

 

Did you ask them who the architect was?

[Aetherous]

Nope. That would have been intelligent...haha. I only asked what it is supposed to represent, in their own words.

[Birch]

Larry Kirkwood http://www.dcmemorials.com/index_indiv0002944.htm#info

[Apech]

Nope. That would have been intelligent...haha. I only asked what it is supposed to represent, in their own words.

 

Did you get an answer?

[Aetherous]

Nope. It may be that they were blacklisted from my email...but if that were the case it'd probably show up in my spam folder, I think? Might be that they are taking the time to try and find a decent answer. Might be that they thought it was silly and chose not to respond.

[Apech]

Nope. It may be that they were blacklisted from my email...but if that were the case it'd probably show up in my spam folder, I think? Might be that they are taking the time to try and find a decent answer. Might be that they thought it was silly and chose not to respond.

 

Maybe they just didn't know the answer