Oak symbolism

The oak is considered a cosmic storehouse of wisdom embodied within its towering strength.

 Ancient Celts observed the oak's massive growth and impressive expanse. They took this as a clear sign that the oak was to be honored for its endurance, and noble presence.

 In the Classical world it was regarded as the Tree of Life as its deep roots penetrate as deep into the Underworld as its branches soar to the sky, and it was held sacred to Zeus and Jupiter. In Scandinavia the oak was the tree of the Thunder-God, Thor, as it was to his Finnish counterpart, Jumala.

 There are accounts that trace the name "druid" to duir, the Celtic term for the oak. More interestingly, the actual translation of duir is "door" and lore indicates the spiritually advanced Celts would access the ethereal planes of higher thought (psychic vision or soul-thought) by "opening the oak door."
 The Celtic meaning of the oak tree deals with symbolic themes of durability, purity and constancy.

 Further merit to its regal presence is its tendency to attract lightning. This was considered hugely powerful among the ancients and is associated with one of their foremost gods, Dagda. Its attraction for lightning, its size and longevity (oaks are known to easily surpass 200 years of age) all make the oak a powerful, life-affirming symbol.

 The oak is a living legend representing all that is true, wholesome, stable, and noble. When you are in need of stability and strength in your life - envision the oak in your minds eye. Picture yourself drawing into its endless energy waves. Soon, you will find yourself sharing in its power.

 via: http://www.whats-your-sign.com
       druidry.org

Dragonfly.

The meaning of a dragonfly changes with each culture. The main symbolisms of the dragonfly are renewal, positive force and the power of life in general. Dragonflies can also be a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity. Also, as a creature of the wind, the dragonfly frequently represents change. And as a dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest with the short time it has - which is a lesson for all of us.


1.Maturity and a Depth of character
The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change and change in the perspective of self realization; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.

The traditional association of Dragonflies with water also gives rise to this meaning to this amazing insect. The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life.

2.Power and Poise
The dragonfly’s agile flight and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise - something that comes only with age and maturity.
The dragonfly can move at an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter fly backwards like a hummingbird, fly straight up, down and on either side. What is mind blowing is the fact that it can do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively.

The awe inspiring aspect is how the dragonfly accomplishes its objectives with utmost simplicity, effectiveness and well, if you look at proportions, with 20 times as much power in each of its wing strokes when compared to the other insects. The best part is that the dragonfly does it with elegance and grace that can be compared to a veteran ballet dancer. If this is not a brazen, lazy, overkill in terms of display of raw power, what is?

3.Defeat of Self Created Illusions
The dragonfly exhibits iridescence both on its wings as well as on its body. Iridescence is the property of an object to show itself in different colors depending on the angle and polarization of light falling on it.

This property is seen and believed as the end of one’s self created illusions and a clear vision into the realities of life. The magical property of iridescence is also associated with the discovery of one’s own abilities by unmasking the real self and removing the doubts one casts on his/her own sense of identity. This again indirectly means self discovery and removal of inhibitions.

4.Focus on living ‘IN’ the moment
The dragonfly normally lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature. It flies only for a fraction of its life and usually not more than a few months. This adult dragonfly does it all in these few months and leaves nothing to be desired. This style of life symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN the moment and living life to the fullest. By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don’t and make informed choices on a moment-to-moment basis.

This ability lets you live your life without regrets like the great dragonfly.
The opening of one’s eyes
The eyes of the dragonfly are one of the most amazing and awe inspiring sights. Given almost 80% of the insect’s brain power is dedicated to its sight and the fact that it can see in all 360 degrees around it, it symbolizes the uninhibited vision of the mind and the ability to see beyond the limitations of the human self. It also in a manner of speaking symbolizes a man/woman’s rising from materialism to be able to see beyond the mundane into the vastness that is really our Universe, and our own minds.
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Глаголица.

За да разберем поне донякъде как мисли Kонстантин-Kирил и каква писменост създава, трябва да се обърнем към първоначалната глаголица /праглаголицата/, т. е. към съставните елементи на все още неканоничното глаголическо писмо. Само така може приблизително да се реконструира мисловната и графична система на Kирил. Глаголическата азбука започва, както и всички подобни азбуки, "абецеди" и "алфабети" с буквата А. Константин Философ наименува буквите, защото звуковете се чуват, а буквите се назовават. Първата буква А е назована с "Азъ". Втората буква е Б. През IХ в. гърците изгубват този звук от фонетичната си система, но го запазват в писмото като бета, а го произнасят вита. Kак обаче да се записват славянските думи без нови букви, когато една от най-нужните, с която се назовава Бог, отсъства в гръцкото писмо? Това налага систематизиране на символите - новите букви, с които да се записват всички славянски думи без изключение. Наистина, поставеният от Черноризец Храбър риторически въпрос е основателен: "Но как може да се пише добре с гръцки букви: Богъ или животъ, или дзяло, или црькы, или чаяние, или широта, или ядь, или онду или юность, или йанзыкъ или други тям подобни?"

Kонстантин-Kирил пристъпва към реализацията на своя замисъл: създава първата буква - азъ. В първоначалната глаголица тя е под формата на кръст, тъй като прекръствайки се, човек се превръща от езичник и поганец в християнин. Християнин се става поединично, а не като народ, етнос. Затова Черноризец Храбър казва: "Подобно на това и Св. Кирил създаде буквата "азъ". Но като първа буква и дадена от бога на славянския род за развързване устата на онези, които чрез азбуката се учат на разум, "азъ" се изговаря с широко отваряне на устата, а другите букви се изговарят и произнасят със слабо разтваряне на устата."

Втората буква в глаголицата е букы или букъве, което на немски означава книга, а на славянски писмена - букви. Първоначално на мястото на букы е стояло Богъ: Азъ Богъ вяды глагольон - Аз, познавайки Бога, говоря. За да не се изговаря напразно името Божие съгласно Божията заповед, то е заменено с думата букы, което означава буква, писмо, но също така и Свето писание, Библия, Божие послание. В първоначалната глаголическа система на Kирил буквата е изписвана с три черти или три вдигнати пръста с триъгълник отдолу. В този вид, разбира се ендемично, се среща в глаголическите надписи от Хум и Истра. Триединството на Бог се означава с трите пръста, с които се кръстим, и с триъгълника под централния символ, тоест два пъти е подчертан тайнственият живот на Пресветата Троица. Така славяните по-лесно изричат: Троица. Основните символи в глаголицата на Kирил са: триъгълникът, символизиращ Светата Троица, окръжността, символизираща съвършенството на Божеството, и Кръстът, символизиращ Христос и неговите мъки.

Триъгълникът и окръжността могат да бъдат свързани по различен начин. Затова и първоначалната глаголица се състои предимно от триъгълници и окръжности. Цялата система от символи на Kирил се състои от триъгълници и окръжности. По-късно глаголическото писмо по образец на латинското и на романския архитектурен стил се центрира между две линии и става ъглесто. В този му вид, след периода на преобразуването то е възприето от хърватите и столетия наред запазено в ръкописните и печатните книги.

Kирил подчинява наименованията на буквите на тройна система на мислене и говорене. Всяка синтагма - най-малката цялостна единица в изречението, се състои от три думи: Азъ, букъви, веди, глагольон, добря, естъ, живяти, дзяло, земли.

Още първите девет букви са подтик: "Аз, познавайки буквите /като се има предвид Бога/, говоря: добре е много да се живее на земята". След това отново следват три букви и три думи: иже, и, джервь. Подобно на гръцкия език от периода на Kирил и Методий и се обозначава с две букви. С иже и и започва името на Исус. Третата буква джервь е доста рядка и като буква, и като звук. Среща се в думата evaggelie /еванджелие/, което означава заръката и завета на Исус. Следват: како, людье, мыслите, нашь, онъ, покой, рьци, слово, твърдо.

Буквата с в глаголицата е обърнат образ на буквата и, като това обърнато и-с носи ясно изразено мисловно и образно послание. Думата слово произлиза от глагола словя, говоря, казвам. В християнската философия на евангелиста Йоан Словото е Дума, Логос. Словото е второто божествено олицетворение - Христос. Християнското разбиране за историята е, че новата история, историята на спасението започва, когато Словото, Логосът, Второто олицетворение на божественото, влиза в историята ни, когато се въплътява, тоест когато става човек. Това е централното събитие в историята на човечеството.

Kои са тогава славяните? Славяните са не само онези, които словят, "говорят", те са участници в Словото, чеда на Логоса. Нито един друг народ, римляни, романи, гърци, ромеи не може да каже това за себе си. По-голямата част от тяхната култура и история е езическа, поганска, освен това те не се християнизират като славяните чрез Логоса, Словото и кръщението. Цялата система на първоначалната глаголица като писменост почива от една страна на разбирането на апостол Павел за философията, а от друга - на филологически и лингвистични графични причини. Системата от опозиции между глаголическите букви е напълно разгадаема. Хармонията и различията се отразяват на мястото на буквата, свързано с наименованието и със символичното й послание.

По какво се различава говорът на славяните от говора на другите народи? По палаталните /небните/ съгласни. Kакво решение намира Kирил - най-големият славянски филолог и гениален творец на славянската азбука и на книжовния славянски език? Ако се вгледаме в графичната система за означаване на съгласните от първата и втората палатализация, ще видим, че в графичен и художествен аспект всички знаци /букви/ се намират помежду си в отношения на уподобяване и различаване. От системата се отклонява само буквата Ш: Г Х Ц З С Ч Ж Ш

Защо буквата Ш е такава? Защото Kонстантин-Kирил не я сътворява, а само я въвежда в системата. Това е староеврейската /самаритянска/ буква "шин". За отбелязването на първа и втора палатализация са систематизирани графичните и звукови опозиции: к, г, х при първа палатализация дават ч, ж, ш, а при втора - ц, з, с. Авторът на глаголицата едновременно мисли като филолог, фонолог и теолог.

Започвайки да учат писмото, учениците сричат /мнемотехнически/ по следния начин: Азъ букъви вяды глагольон добря естъ живяти дзяло земли, тоест: Аз, който буквите познавам, казвам, че е много добре да се живее на земята. След това следват три букви, директно или индиректно символизиращи Исус: иже, и, джервъ, тъй като евангелието - заветът на Исус, е благата вест.

След това следва въпросът: како людье мыслите нашь онъ покой, или Kак хора си представяте, че той е нашият мир.

Реци слово твръдо - Kажи буквата, твърдо се придържай към Логоса! Стани християнин! Буквата вядя, която означава знам е отбелязана със знака В. Kогато разбереш, трябва твърдо да се придържаш, затова служи знакът Т. Щом опознаеш Логоса, трябва да се придържаш твърдо към Словото, тоест към Логоса. За Kирил Логосът е тъждествен на Словото, дълбока етимология и причина за човешкото съществуване. Славяните се отъждествяват с приятели, участници в Логоса. Славяните влизат в историята през IX в., в което също има символика /3 х 3/.

Почти всяка глаголическа буква може да се обясни по този начин. С това идеологизирано писмо Kирил написва първите славянски текстове. Първото, което е записал, е най-изтънченият, най-трудният и най-дълбокият християнски текст - началото на Евангелието от Йоан: "В началото бе Словото; и Словото беше у Бога; и Словото бе Бог".

Черноризец Храбър, първият аполог на славянската писменост, е добре запознат с всичко това. Той знае, че онези, които нападат наследството на Kирил, богохулстват, тъй като не може да се хули писменост, която е дело на свят човек и която е сътворена заради Божието слово. Всяка буква има разпознаваемо име, а свързаните имена отправят послание. Това свято и изпълнено със смисъл писмо славяните получават от свят човек, който според Житието и по убеждение на самия Черноризец Храбър е осенен от Бога. Така че не Kирил е съставител на азбуката, а самият Бог чрез него я изпраща на славяните! Легендата изхожда от историческата мисия на светите братя. В светостта на глаголицата вярват учениците и последователите на Kирил и Методий.

Глаголицата е създадена като затворена система. Документирана е в книги, датирани 150-200 години след смъртта на Kонстантин и Методий. Дори и в този късен етап от развитието си тя все още пази частично първоначалната си система от символи. По-късно в Хърватия глаголицата придобива ъглеста форма, така че в нея се запазва твърде малко от изконната графична идея на Kонстантин-Kирил Философ. Историческото и палеографското развитие правят своето. Буквите се променят особено много, когато се използват като инициални.

via: rodinabg.com - пълен текст ТУК

ЗМИЯ.

Представите за змията и змея в България са с тракийска основа. Почти всички поверия за змията стоят във връзка със старите тракийски представи за нея — покровител на домашното огнище и на култовите места, за змията, съжителстваща с жената и за змията, представляваща божество или митологическо същество. Една част от поверията за змията са общи впрочем за целия древен свят и гръцката и римската култура ги е разпространила навсякъде. Въпреки това може спокойно да се твърди, че в тракийската митология змията е заемала много по-значително място, отколкото в гръцката и че до голяма степен култът на Дионис, свързан със змията, е характерен преди всичко за траките, където тази връзка е била създадена и разпространена чрез проникването на орфическите представи в целия древен свят.

На второ място в нашите представи за змията идва библейската змия. Старите антични легенди са получили съответни преработки и в различните еретически учения като например в Тайната книга на богомилите. Легендата за змея, който ту се превръща на човек, ту взема формата на голяма крилата змия, а и в антропоморфната си форма има крила, е разработена по старите тракийски, гръцки и римски вярвания, които са съществували у нас. И към тях трябва да прибавим легендите за триглави и многоглави змии, за халите и ламите, които също са усвоени от по-старото население. Змеиците са образ, който е създаден тук на Балканския полуостров у българските славяни, като змеицата се смесва със самодивата, която взема форма на мечка, на вълк и на други животни, но която може да се явява и като жена. Така поверията за змейове и змеици са се сближили с тези за самодивите, без да се слеят обаче напълно.

Естествено при това положение гнездата на змейовете са друго място, в което се крият изгонените богове, а също и богини. Пещерите на змейовете, в които те завеждат обикнатите от тях моми, остават свърталище на най-различни мито логически същества. Ние видяхме, от друга страна, че у другите славяни легендите за медното гумно са преработили поверията за змейовете като обитатели на този своеобразен символ на езическата религия. Тук и българските царе от езическия период, а както видяхме и сам св. княз Борис под името Михаилкаган постепенно се е превърнал в тайнствено митологическо същество. Интересно е обаче дали български приказки, разказвани някога, не са станали причина за свързването на медните гумна с дворци и змейове, които ги обитават.

Не бива да се забравя още, че змеят е играел много голяма роля у повечето европейски народи, а да не говорим за източните, през всички времена, и че в поверията за тях са кръстосани представи, които идват от всички страни и се разпространяват всред всички народи.

ЗМЕЯТ У ПРАБЪЛГАРИТЕ. Ние нямаме никакви сведения за змията у прабългарите и не бихме могли да кажем нищо за нея, ако не беше ключът на безбройните тайни на този странен народ — Именникът. Българите са дошли от Централна Азия, в която змеят и змията винаги са играли много важна роля. Ние знаем, че един от техните месеци е носел името на това животно — дилом, а също така не знаем прабългарското име на следния месец, който във всички останали календари се нарича дракон, т.е. змей. Това ни навежда на мисълта, че в техния живот, а вероятно и в религията им змията и змеят са имали значителна роля. Вероятно у тях е достигнало влиянието на Китай, където драконите са персонификация на реките и моретата. Но за съжаление ние не знаем тяхната религия и митология.

из:Медното гумно
Иван Венедиков

Това е снимка на тракийски сребърни гривни във формата на змия, направена в Историческия музей в София. С много лошо качество, за което съжалявам, но все пак се вижда, че става дума за изкуство и майсторство с високо качество. Сега аз също имам гривна във формата на змия, но не е толкова широка. Тракиското изкуство е уникално и неповторимо.

Unicorn.

The unicorn is one of a very few mythological creatures that are considered to be beneficial in almost all traditions. The unicorn is universally beautiful, mysterious and difficult to capture or tame. Although modern unicorns are depicted simply as horses with a single horn, traditional unicorns also possessed a billy goat’s beard, a lion’s tail and cloven hooves.

Unicorns have a place in Greek mythology, Chinese traditions, in the art of the Indus Valley and India. Greek writers including Pliny the Elder and Aristotle mention the unicorn in their writings.So the Unicorn became the most important imaginary animal of the middle ages and Renaissance when it was commonly described as an extremely wild woodland creature, a symbol of purity and grace, which could only be captured by a virgin. In the encyclopedias its horn was said to have the power to render poisoned water potable and to heal sickness. Until the 19th century, belief in unicorns was widespread among historians, alchemists, writers, poets, naturalists, physicians, and theologians.


Unicorn Symbolism in the Bible
Translators of the Hebrew Bible used “unicorn” for the word “re’em” and give at least eight mentions of the unicorn in the Old Testament, including "And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with their bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness" (Isaiah 34:7) and “God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of the unicorn” (Numbers 23:22).

The Taurus as a symbol.

БИКЪТ е символ на бога. Още в древни времена, за което свидетелстват свещените изображенията на бик в Чаталхюйюк от 8 хил.пр.н.е., бикът е бил почитан като символ на бога. Бичите рога поставяни на изображенията на бога символизират лунния сърп и същевременно раждането и смъртта и тяхното вечно редуване.

Бикът в митологията е соларен символ и пряк символ на плодородие. Често самият владетел е бил асоцииран с бика. Ритон с формата на бик е един от най-красивите и характерни за тракийското ритуално изкуство предмети. Първообразът на ритона е рогът на изобилието и чашата на самия предмет наподобява рог. Той вероятно е трябвало да бъде използван само от владетеля или от много висш сановник, защото те са физическо изражение- символи на плодородието. В самия ритуал, ритонът е опосредствал изливането на виното от каничка във фиала (чаша - купа за вино) като ролята му е била едновременно да бъде и медиатор за плодородие и пречистващ обект за свещеното питие до устните на владетеля - наместник на бога. До него не бивало да се докосва жена, защото ритонът принадлежи на мъжкият свят на бога- - слънце, за което говори и бикът като оформящ ритуалния предмет елемент.
Бикът като символ има двойствен смисъл. Обикновено означава мъжкото начало в природата, соларната сила, свещена за всички небесни богове; плодовитост; мъжката сила; царски сан, царят. Когато е лунарен, бикът символизира земята, влажното начало в природата, яздят го лунарни богини като Астарта и Европа. Тогава означава опитомяване на мъжката и животинската природа. Язденето на бик или бикове, теглещи колесници, е атрибут на соларен воин и се свързва с небето, бурята и соларните божества. Ревът на бика е гръмотевицата, дъждът и плодородието. Като олицетворение на детеродната сила бикът се свързва с оплодителната енергия на слънцето, дъжда, бурята, гръмотевицата и светкавицата, а следователно и със сухия, и с влажния принцип едновременно.

От дълбока древност небесните богове и божествата на времето се изобразяват като бик. До тях обикновено седи богинята като съпруга. Жертвоприношението на бик се среща в култовете на Атис и Мирта, както и в древните новогодишнш обреди.

Символиката на бика е разпространена във всички шумерски и семитски култове. Човекът-бик обикновено е пазител на център, съкровище или врата. Той предотвратява злото и предпазва от зли сили.

Главата на бика (най-важната част, тъй като съдържа жизненото начало) означава жертвоприношение и смърт. Убиване на бик на Нова година означава смъртта на Зимата и раждането на съзидателната сила на живота.

Бикът в различните религии:

В будизма бикът е символ на нравствената природа, Аз-ът; атрибут на бога на мъртвите Яма, който често се изобразява като бик или с биволска глава.

В гръцката митология е атрибут на Зевс, като небесен бог, както и на Дионис, който има рога и понякога глава на бик, особено когато означава мъжкото начало. Бикът е свещено животно на Посейдон, чиито "виноносци в Ефес" били бикове. Като символ на влажното начало е атрибут на Афродита.

В египетската митология бикът Апис е въплъщение на Озирис "и вторият живот и слуга на Пта". Бил почитан също и в образа на Мневис или Мервер и бил свещено животно на слънчевия бог Ра, който като небесен бик всекидневно оплождал небесната богиня Нут. Земният бог Неб също е бил бик на небесната богиня. Бедрото на бика е фалическият крак на Сет и означава плодородие, сила и Северния полюс.

Като зодиакален символ телецът, Taurus, олицетворява слънцето и означава творческото възраждане, което носи Пролетта.

В индуизма бикът е сила; бързина; плодородие; размножителната сила на природата. Бикът Нанди е возилото на пазителя на Запада Шива. Бикът е атрибут на Агни, "Могъщия Бик", както и форма на Индра в аспекта му на бог на плодородието. Бикът е също животворният дъх на всеобхващащия Адити. Силата, която идва от Сома, често се отъждествява със силата на бика. Рудра се съвкупява с богинята крава.

В келтската митология боговете бикове означават божествена власт и сила. При друидите бикът е слънцето, а кравата е земята.

В китайската митология бикът е едно от символичните животни на Дванадесетте земни клона.

В римската митология бикът е атрибут на Юпитер като небесно божество. Принасян в жертва на Марс.

В християнството символизира грубата сила, емблема е на св.Евтахий, измъчван в месингов бик, и на св. Текла.

В юдаизма Иехова е "Бикът на Израил", т.е. бикът е силата на Иехова.

В Библията като жертвено животно е символ на паднал в битка воин. Също се използва и като метафора за силни врагове.

В шумеро-семитската митология Небесният бик е изорал голямата бразда в небето. Ашур и Адат, които язят бик, са "небесни бикове". Слънцето е "дивият бик на небето и земята". Лунният бог Син също приема образа на бик. С акадсия "бик-водач" започва зодиакалната година. Крилатите бикове са духове-пазители.


via:HERE ; mitrabg.com; wikipedia.org

SOLAR CROSS.

The Solar Cross or Sun Cross features a circle around a cross. It represents not only the sun, but also the cyclical nature of the four seasons and the four classical elements. It is often used as an astrological representation of earth. The most famous variation of the solar cross is the swastika, which was originally found in both Hindu and Native American symbolism. Typically, it is portrayed with a circle in the center of the cross-arms, but not always.
Carvings of this ancient symbol have been found in Bronze-age burial urns dating back as far as 1400 b.c.e. Although it's been used in many cultures, the cross eventually became identified with Christianity. It does seem to appear fairly regularly in crop circles as well, particularly those that show up in fields in the British Isles. A similar version appears as the Brighid's Cross, found all over the Irish Celtic lands.
Because of its association with the Sun itself, this symbol is typically connected to the element of Fire. You can use it in ritual workings honoring the sun or the power, heat and energy of flames. Fire is a purifying, masculine energy, associated with the South, and connected to strong will and energy. Fire can destroy, yet it also creates, and represents the fertility and masculinity of the God.
This symbol has been used throughout history by different religions, groups and families (as a Japanese samurai family crest), eventually working its way into Christian iconography.
A universal symbol found on ancient slabs in Nordic countries, in pre-Columbian America and in Mediterranean countries. "Today, it is used as a log by some new fascist organizations," according to the Dictionary of Symbols. Like the swastika and other sun symbols, it represents power and supremacy. See also "Circle (Quartered)". It serves as a logo for the Swedish national socialist party, Nordiska Rikspartiets and for the French Jeune Nation.

VIA:http://www.sdrasia.org
http://paganwiccan.about.com

Dolphin.

Dolphins are highly intelligent carnivorous marine mammals found worldwide, primarily in the shallow seas above continental shelves.These animals are in the cetacean family, along with orcas or killer whales. Dolphins’ diet includes crustaceans, fish and squid. Their predators are large sharks, humans and, possibly, orcas. A pod, if in danger of being attacked, will circle around the weaker members to protect them.
Dolphins have been known to attack sharks and, some say, they’re the only marine animal sharks fear. Dolphins, like bats, use echolocation or sonar to navigate and hunt. They are well known for their agility and playful behavior, leaping out of the water which is called spy-hopping.

Celtic Symbolism and Lessons of Dolphin

Deilf (the Celtic term for "dolphin") is symbolic of friendship, intelligence, good luck, grace, playfulness, harmony, power, wisdom, change, balance, protection, contentment, intelligence, transcendence, gentleness, generosity, resurrection, harmony, friendship, freedom, trust, unselfishness and community.

Native American Dolphin Symbolism and Lessons

His keynotes are manna and power of sound and breath; cycle of power, year around. Dolphin symbolizes breath of life, love, balance, playfulness and community. Dolphin teaches people that when they live in harmony with the patterns and rhythm of nature, they learn how be in touch with and communicate with all that is.
Another lesson is not to suppress negative feelings because they don’t go away, but stay in the subconscious, block energy and cause imbalance, which can lessen feeling positive ones, such as joy.

Greek and Christian Dolphin Symbolism

To the ancient Greeks, the dolphin represented the Sun God Apollo and the Moon Goddess Aphrodite and was symbolic of power, vigor, health, activity, life, intelligence and renewal, as masculine, and, as feminine, hidden power, conception, intuition and dreams. In ancient Greek legend, dolphins carried souls of the departed to the Islands of the Blessed.

Native American Dolphin Legend

In a Native American legend, Dolphin was swimming in Great Mother’s sea while Grandmother Moon was weaving the tides’ rhythms. She asked him to learn her patterns so he could open his feminine nature. He began to swim with her rhythm and learned to breathe in a new manner. Dolphin entered the Dreamtime, a place that was alien to him.

Dolphin discovered new cities and learned a new language that was sound, brought by Grandmother Spider from the Great Star Nation. He returned to the sea of the Great Mother and was sad until he saw his friend, Whale, who told him that he could return to the Dreamtime whenever he wanted. Dolphin became the messenger between the dwellers of the Dreamtime and the children of the Earth so they could be one with the Great Spirit.

via:http://www.suite101.com

Cross - Swastika

Has there ever been a more diversely used symbol than this?

It is a religious symbol, also used in a secular context.
Today it is perhaps best recognised as the 1930's emblem of Adolf Hitler's extreme-right Nationalsozialistische deutsche Arbeiter-Partei1, commonly known as Nazi. During the Second World War the Swastika was often derisively called the Bent Cross or Crooked Cross.More than enough has already been written about the swastika's use by the Nazis and we have no interest in writing much more; except to say that it is often confused by the Suavastika (or Sauvastika). The difference is the direction of rotation, for that is what this cross represents. It is a spinning or rotating cross, with the angled ends appearing like the sparks one sees from a spinning fire-cracker. (In heraldry this would be classed a Cross Gurgity; from the Latin gurges, meaning 'spiral' or 'whirlpool'.)

Yes, the swastika was a symbol of the Nazis, but its history goes much further back. The emblem had been in use for thousands of years before Hitler decided it was a cute little symbol he could use to terrorise the world, especially Gypsies and Jews. It seems ironic that it was used by the Jews long before Hitler was born.

Secular groups include the Red Swastika Society, founded in China in 1922 on similar philanthropic principles to the Red Cross, with a large dose of Buddhism. Not restricted to China, the charity has conducted relief work in Japan and the former Soviet Union. Today the Society has branches in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

Much earlier, it was used by the Ashanti in Africa, far removed from the Adolf's 'master' white race. The symbols are found in remains from the European Bronze Age, especially at Hissarlik (Troy). It has been found in ancient Jewish synagogues, used by the Basques, French, Greeks, Swiss and Irish, the Tlingit of Alaska and the Cuna in Panama.

It is found in China, Tibet, Japan, ancient Persia, Pakistan, and in India, where both Jains and Buddhists still use it as a religious symbol.

The Mexicans, Aztecs and Indian tribes of Central and South America have used it (for example the Kuna; the indigenous people of Panama and Colombia), as have the Navajo and the Hopi tribes of the north.

Ornamental
A related symbol is the Triskele and as with all symbols, any adoration or abhorrence is because of what the swastika represents rather than the mere ornamental arrangement of a few lines. In the west, the sign still enrages people, as England's Prince Harry found out. Nobody knows for certain why he wore it - a curious choice for a former British Army commander who is third in the line of succession to the throne - just as nobody knows for certain why Hitler adopted it.

Some people might wear the symbol as decoration, in the form of a tattoo or lapel pin badge. Their intentions are probably as varied as the number of people who wear them, but might include the desire to look tough, as a superstitious charm or amulet against evil, or as a 'good luck' charm.

But in religion, its meanings are quite clear:


Resignation, the Wheel Of The Law and also a Heart Seal symbol stamped on Buddha's heart. Monks often have this symbol placed on their chest when they die.

The Suavastika Cross, also known as a Buddhist Cross, is frequently seen on temple gates and entrances, and used as a general-purpose identifier on maps and so on.

In Japan, the symbol is called Manji. There are several websites about Buddhism in Japan, but sadly most are in Japanese. However, we've been alerted to a very clear and well-informed site called www.japanese-buddhism.com, which includes more about the swastika in Japan.

During World War II, Japan was an ally of Hitler but Japan never used the symbol in the same way. It is a Buddhist symbol and if there was any religious fervour behind the Japanese military power, it was Shintoism rather than Buddhism. See www.japanese-buddhism.com/swastika.html

•Hindus

Hindus use both the swastika and the suavastika to represent night, magic, and the destructive goddess Kali. It also represents Brahma. The swastika represents Nirvritti, introspection and the involution of the universe, and the bliss, delight and peace of Nirvana. It is also a symbol of good fortune and blessing (Sanskrit: su = auspicious, astika = to be). The suavastika represents Paravritti - the expansion of the universe (Sanskrit: para = beyond, vritti = vortex).

•Pagans

In Scandinavia, it was the symbol of the hammer of the god Thor. In Latvia and Lithuania, the name of this cross is Pērkonkrusts, which means 'Cross of Thunder', Pērkon being their equivalent of Thor.

Project Runeberg(http://runeberg.org/pieni/1/0599.html ) shows this also to be a symbol in Finland, where the Finnish the symbol is Hakaristi and based on an ancient mythological sea god named Tursas. The swastika shape is central to the symbol representing the heart of Tursas and called Tursaansydän.

•Christians

As a pre-Christian, Roman pagan symbol, it represented the four classical elements, four directions, and the recycling of life and death. By extension this meant life, regeneration, resurrection and everlasting life. The symbol appeared on Roman coins and also on tombs. Early Christians carved it on their tombs as a symbol of everlasting life. It wasn't until the 4th century, when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, that Christians started to use the Latin Cross as a tomb sign for everlasting life. Today, fylfots are sometimes seen as decoration in medieval church architecture such as stained-glass windows.

•Masons

The Mystic Cross founded by Fohi 3,000 years ago, the first King of China, who some say is the same person as Noah. But as with the origin of many ancient symbols, textual evidence is sparse and scholars must conjecture what they can from the surviving artefacts.

•Occultists

A sacred symbol. One theory goes that Karl Haushofer, the university professor of Rudolf Hess, was an occultist and introduced the symbol to Hitler.

•Falun Gong

The Wheel of the Dharma.

•Esoteric philosophers

A mystical and ancient symbol. (See Kabbalah Cross)

•Raelians

The Raelians are a group that thrives on controversy and is a relatively new user of the symbol

Argumental
In some countries (such as Germany and Austria), the symbol is illegal because of its links to fascism. In other countries (such as China), current users (Falun Gong) are themselves illegal. The symbol means love or hate, life or death (or both), suspicion and benign acceptance, black magic and God.

via: http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/swastika.html#sup07

Печат в стил на старите кхански печати със основните глаголически букви в името България
(Обла глаголица)

24 май! Честит празник на всички Българи!!

Глаголица и Кирилица.



Има един малко известен или пренебрегван факт - Солунските братя Кирил и Методий наистина са създали първата славянска азбука, но тя се нарича глаголица .Кирилицата е създадена по късно от Климент Охридски, а името и е в чест на Константин-Кирил Философ.

Serpent.

image:davidrankineart.com


A Serpent is a very popular, potent and ancient symbol and I'm deeply interested to find out what is hidden behind it.
I'm born in the year of the Serpent , according to the traditional Chinese calendar. Furthermore , I saw a couple of times a Serpent in my dreams. Once it was quite interesting, because two or three days after that dream, something happened exactly like that picture I saw during the night, symbolically I mean. Man have to " read " the vision and I must say it is quite easy ... after the happening.
It was on Easter last year. I work with many people and I know many of them quite well, we are almost " friends ".Because of this I become a victim of a flagrant deceit - you just don't expect it from people you know. I must say that at that moment I didn't think about the dream at all. I dream a lot, strange things, but man never knows what's a fruit of his mind and what's something...different. Now I have another point of view and I've started to trust my dreams. For the record, the end was good for me.
Another time I've dreamt that I fall between millions of small snakes, like these on Medusas head. I still remember that awful, repulsive, creepy feeling. Pfuuu.
That was a good sign, according to the things that have happened after that.
Once I've found an old skin of a Serpient and I took it. Don't do this, people! It was a big mistake , which brought many disastres after it. Of course, it could be just a coincidence, but my advice still is - don't take it!
And one more thing - as I work as a pharmacist now, the Serpent is a modern emblem of healing and medicine.

So let's see what I've found out about this amazing creature:

Serpent is a word of Latin origin (from serpens, serpentis "something that creeps, snake") that is commonly used in a specifically mythic or religious context, signifying a snake that is to be regarded not as a mundane natural phenomenon nor as an object of scientific zoology, but as the bearer of some potent symbolic value. Snakes have been associated with some of the oldest rituals known to humankind.

Serpents in world mythology are seen as ruling the underworld, protecting great treasure, and possessing secret knowledge. They represent both good and evil.
Ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, Scandinavia, Greece, and Pre-Columbian America, to name just a few, all shared the symbolism of the snake in their religion and folklore. Snake gods and goddesses are seen throughout different ancient cultures such as the Greek Medusa with snakes for hair, or the Minoan Snake Goddess, or the Sumero-Babylonian Enki, the Serpent Lord of Wisdom and trickster god. They are significant deities with fierce and fearful power.

Snakes were an extremely popular representation of deity, of magical powers, and of regeneration and life. Indeed, serpents are life-giving and life-affirming. The Arabic has related words for serpent (hayyah) and life (hayat), both coming from the same root with the implication of the serpent being a life-giver.

Snakes were often affixed to the sterns of boats of many cultures to guide the seafarers and frighten any who might attack. The snake is seen as a modern emblem of healing and medicine still used in the form of the medical star of life symbol, the caduceus of Hermes and the rod of Aesclepius.


Serpents represent both good and evil in mythology. Worship and fear of serpents has been seen throughout religious history, as the snake represents a male, a female or androgynous god. Throughout the world the serpent may symbolize opposing qualities to different peoples, such as death, destruction, rebirth, authority, sin, trickery, temptation, wisdom, prophecy, mystery, fertility, healing, medicine, poisoning, warning, renewal, mortality, and immortality.

Snakes serve as guardians in folklore. Symbolically they can represent the earth and the underworld. Snakes are thought of as secretive and are equated with the hidden and most sacred aspects of religion. Early religion used the serpent as a phallic symbol, and also as a symbol of the mother goddess. Their forked tongues are thought to show duplicity, and their words cannot be trusted.


Cosmic Serpents

Much folklore worldwide depicts a great serpent that encircles the world. In this case where the snake swallows its own tail to form a circle, it is known by the Greek term Ouroboros, although the symbol first appeared in Ancient Egypt. Such a cosmic serpent is found in the Norse Jormungandr which encircled the world in the deep of the oceans, swallowing its own head.

In Mesoamerica, Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent deity represents both the earth and the sky. Quetzalcoatl has a father known as Mixcoatl. Mixcoatl is the Cloud Serpent deity who is identified with the heavens and the Milky Way. The Feathered Serpent is a popular iconographic symbol found throughout the Americas as seen, for example, among the Pre-Columbian Mesoamericans, those from Peru, Chile, and Hopis of the American Southwest, as well as the ancient mound builders of America and Europe.




The serpent is often found associated with a sacred tree, perhaps guarding some sacred fruit. This chthonic serpent may be coiled at the bottom of the tree. The snake as protector at a sacred tree is seen in Biblical and Norse mythology, as well as in the tales of the Bodhi tree of Buddhism.

The snake also inhabits the subterranean earth or the underworld, where he is a guardian of sacred entrances. Serpents are found throughout Egyptian mythology, usually as females. The cobra is a symbol of the goddess from antiquity and appears on the crown, the Uraeus, and in the hieroglyphic names of female goddesses. The cosmic chthonic serpent of Egypt is a male, however, known as Apep. Apep, an evil demon, represented darkness and chaos. Apep, who appeared from the Middle Kingdom onward, was considered the enemy of the Sun God, Ra.

The Egyptians practiced many rites to aid the god Ra to make his successful journey through each night undefeated by Apep. During the New Kingdom, the serpent Apep became associated with the god Set. The great antiquity of the place of the cosmic snake against the solar god was found in Egypt with a snake figure shown as an enemy of a solar deity. This was depicted on an ancient pottery bowl, now in the Cairo Museum (Naqada I, ca. 4000 BCE).

Sources:

Black, Jeremy & Anthony Green. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, An Illustrated Dictionary University of Austin Press (1992)

to be continued:

the Serpent in the different ages and mythologies

Native American Labyrinths

Hopi Round Labyrinth

Hopi Square Labyrinth

The Symbol of the Emergence - The whole myth and meaning of the Emergence is expressed by one symbol known to the Hopis / The Hopi are a group of indigenous Native American people who primarily live on the 6,557.262 km² Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The Hopi Reservation is entirely surrounded by the much larger Navajo Reservation/ as the Mother Earth symbol. There are two forms, the square [yellow above] and the circular [red above]. Examples of these Labyrinth are carved on a rock south of Oraibi ( Oraibi is the oldest Hopi village and one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages within the territory of the United States ), and south of Shipaulovi. A combination of the two forms is also carved on a wooden stick which is planted in front of the One Horn altar in the Kwani kiva at Walpi during the Wъwuchim ceremony. The symbol is commonly known as Tapu'at [Mother and Child]. This type represents spiritual rebirth from one world to the succeeding one, as symbolized by the Emergence itself.

The Man in the Maze

At one level, the labyrinth symbolizes the female womb, only penetrable if one is pure and perfect. The male figure outside, representing the human seed, can penetrate the womb, fertilize the ovum, produce new life, which then emerges as a new birth or a reincarnated existence. Entry into the labyrinth gives new life to litoi, thus achieving reincarnation and eternal life.

Labyrinth.

A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. It represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools. A labyrinth is an archetype with which we can have a direct experience. Walking the labyrinth can be considered an initiation in which one awakens the knowledge encoded within their DNA.

As a unicursal (one way in, one way out) path, a labyrinth is showing and teaching centeredness. This differentiates a labyrinth from a maze which has many paths & dead-ends leading to confusion. Like life & destiny, a labyrinth may be a long journey but it has a specific beginning and a definite end. Like mandalas, a labyrinth offers a holistic route (meandering radius) from the periphery to the center. A labyrinth imprints a 'royal groove', a ceremonial pathway designed according to principles such as Harmonic Proportion and Alternance of Energy. For instance, the clockwise (sunwise) and counter-clockwise (moonwise) spins of the meanders map out a balance between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Labyrinth is a word of pre-Greek ("Pelasgian") origin absorbed by classical Greek, and is apparently related to labrys, a word for the archaic iconic "double axe", with inthos connoting "place" (as in "Corinth"). The complex palace of Knossos in Crete is usually implicated, though the actual dancing-ground, depicted in frescoed patterns at Knossos, has not been found. Something was being shown to visitors as a labyrinth at Knossos in the 1st century AD.

In the 3rd century BC coins from Knossos are still struck with the labyrinth symbol. The predominant labyrinth form during this period is the simple 7-circuit style known as the classical labyrinth.

Pliny's Natural History mentions four ancient labyrinths: the Cretan labyrinth, an "Egyptian labyrinth", a "Lemnian labyrinth" and an "Italian labyrinth".
via:http://www.crystalinks.com


to be continued..

Cross

II. Non-Christian Designs

2.Ankh

The Ankh - also known as key of life, the key of the Nile or crux ansatah is rooted deep in Egyptian culture. Picture the Latin cross, but bend the top portion around into a loop, and you have the Key of Life as the Ankh was called by the ancient Egyptians. They believed the key was used by the Gods of the underworld to awaken those who had crossed the river of death, and usher them into the afterlife. The Ankh also has been used as a sign for infinity and fertility. It is interesting to note that the Ankh was closely related to Horus in Egyptian mythology; his tale of death and rebirth clearly parallels the story of Christ's death and resurrection.

Ankh was adopted as a symbol of modern religion called Kemetism, which is reconstructing the ancient Egyptian religion at the present.

A stylized ankh is also the symbol of the gothic metal band Theatres des Vampires.

Cross

II. Non-Christian Designs

1. The Gothic Cross




This gothic design emulates the German style of heavily ornate pieces fashioned from wrought iron. As a symbol of the Gothic lifestyle, Gothic crosses also symbolize all that is dark and merry. Poet Edgar Allan Poe is largely credited with inspiring the Gothic lifestyle with his tales of horror and suspense. Later, author Anne Rice made being one of the undead chic with her tales of the Vampire Lestat and Goths around the world found a whole new source of inspiration.Crosses wrapped in barbed wire are common, as are crosses that are actually daggers, often with a single drop of crimson at the tip.

Cross

The cross as a symbol actually pre-dates the life of Jesus Christ and many actually hail from more ancient Pagan religions. Gods that had been worshiped for thousands of years before Christianity became a force in the world were represented by some form of the cross.
The cross has been used as a symbol in ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures, as well as by the Aztecs, whose culture of human sacrifice was actually quite shocking. Even the Norse God Thor's hammer is thought to be represented by the Tau cross. Even the Hebrew letter Tau (or Tav) is said to be a form of the cross. The writings of nineteenth century occultist Aleister Crowley teach that the cross and the Tau are at once symbols of power and the human phallus. Cross symbolism can be found in numerous civilizations and cultures across a great many centuries.

I. Christian Cross Designs

1. The Latin Cross

also called the Roman, Protestant, Western or Plain Cross (crux ordinaria) is a stipe (upright post) with a patibulum (horizontal beam) inserted at right-angles.
Although an identification mark of their faith, Christians cannot (and generally do not) claim that they have exclusive right to use the symbol.
The Latin Cross is not a registered trademark and it is used freely in heraldry, fashion jewelry, by Freemasons, and still today, by Pagans.

a) As a Pagan symbol it has been found in China and Africa. It appears on Scandinavian Bronze Age stones depicting the destructive hammer of Thor, their god of thunder and war. It is regarded a magical symbol, bringing good luck and diverting evil. Rock carvings of the cross have been interpreted as a solar symbol, or a symbol of earth with its points representing north, south, east, and west.
To alchemists, the cross was a symbol of the four 'classical elements': air, earth, fire, water. Elsewhere, the cross variously symbolised health, fertility, life, immortality, the union of heaven and earth, spirit and matter, the sun and the stars.

As a representation of the human form:
•upper section - corresponds to the north wind, the most powerful, the all-conquering giant, the head and intelligence
•lower section - the south wind, the seat of fire and passion, and of melting and burning
•right arm - the east wind, the heart and the source of life and love
•left arm - the gentle wind from the spirit land, the dying breath and the subsequent journey into the unknown

b) As a Christian symbol

It is sometimes referred to as the Western Cross to differentiate from cross designs favoured in the east. The Latin Cross is typically used as the basic floor plan of Western churches. It can be the identification mark on maps and signboards for a church or chapel, hence the alternative names: Chapel Cross or Church Cross.

As a representation of the Trinity, the three shorter sections represent the Three Persons of the Trinity and the longer, lower portion signifies the One Divinity.

It can also be called a Protestant Cross because it is plain, without any corpus attached. It does not deny the suffering on the cross but focuses the mind on Christ's resurrection and is mostly used in Protestant churches. Baptists, for example, tend to favour the empty Latin cross to emphasize the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.
When the cross includes a corpus, it is usually referred to as a crucifix and emphasizes Christ's suffering and sacrifice which gives meaning and sense to His resurrection.
For many Catholics, the corpus is sacramental and its removal would be heretical. Protestantism initially prohibited the corpus as a graven image and idolatrous. Rood screens were pulled down to allow closer access to the altar by lay worshippers and Altar Crosses were removed as illegal 'Ornaments Rubrics'. This helped Protestants distance themselves from Roman Catholics and even today, crucifixes are found more in Catholic churches than Protestant churches.
Generally today however, Protestants no longer protest too much and not averse to using a crucifix, and Catholics are quite happy to use a plain cross. Christ's resurrection is central to Christian doctrine, whatever the sect. http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/latin.html/

2..The Celtic cross.

Celtic cross designs are often embellished by using a pattern of knots that have no beginning or end. These knots are believed to symbolize the intersecting of the corporeal and spiritual worlds and the continuous nature of life itself. Bring the knot and the cross together for some very heavy symbolism.When many people look at Celtic cross tattoo they immediately assume it's a symbol of the wearer's Christian faith. While this may be true in some instances, these crosses do hold a different meaning for people who hold other beliefs.
Existing as both a Christian and Pagan symbol, Celtic crosses can mean different things to different people. Here is a basic summary of both viewpoints.

a) Christian symbolism.
To Christians, the Celtic cross itself is a stylized symbol of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The circle that encompasses the cross-section of the bars has always been explained as both a symbol of the eternal nature of the universe and never ending faith in God.

b) Pagan sumbolism
Pagans view the cross in a very different, yet mystical light. As you might expect, it is layered with meanings. Let's begin with the cross itself. The four points can relate to the four compass points of North, South, East and West. The points can also be symbolic of the four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. When you take both veins of symbolism into consideration, the intersection of the cross is viewed as a joining of forces.

Now let's discuss the role of the circle. When laid over the intersection of the cross, the circle is believed to represent a place where the mystical and corporeal worlds meet. This is extremely important in the greater context of Pagan beliefs because communications between the two worlds is paramount to many religious ceremonies.
via:http://tattoos.lovetoknow.com

3. Patriarchal cross

The Patriarchal Cross is also known as Archiepiscopal Cross, Archbishop's Cross,Metropolitan Cross or Double Cross. This cross is often confused with the Cross of Lorraine, which originates from the Patriarchal Cross.

There are several explanations for this 'extra' beam:

•The most popular idea is that the upper beam, also seen on the Russian and Eastern Orthodox cross, represents the plaque bearing the name of the crucified victim. For example, Pontius Pilate's inscription "Jesus the Nazorean, King of the Jews" . Such a plaque is known in Latin as titulus cruces and therefore this form is sometimes called the Titulus Cross.
•Another explanation is that the first beam represents the death of Jesus Christ and the second beam His resurrection.
•A third view is that the first beam symbolises secular power and the second beam the ecclesiastic power of Byzantine emperors. In the 9th century, this was a political symbol used by Byzantine clerks and missionaries.

Origin
It is conjectured that the double-beamed cross form was first used in ancient Samaria (now the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) as an ideogram for rulership, since it depicted a shepherd's crook.

Use
With this ruler/shepherd image in mind, it was adopted for use as a Patriarchal Cross and included in the heraldic arms of an archbishop.

In Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, 'Patriarch' is the title of a bishop who has the highest rank in the hierarchy of jurisdiction.

This cross was the arms of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who granted its use to the Knights Templar. The Duke of Lorraine, Godefroy de Boullion, used it for his standard when he took part in the capture of Jerusalem. The cross was then passed on to his successors as heraldic arms and became known as the Cross of Lorraine.

In Freemasonry, the Patriarchal Cross is often angled like the St. Gilbert

4. Passion cross

The Passion Cross has sharpened points at the end of one or more of the cross members. It is also referred to as the Cross of Suffering representing the nails that Christ suffered at his crucifixion.

The French word for 'sharpened' is aiguisé and in heraldry it is called the Cross Aiguisé or Pointed Cross. Another heraldic name is the Cross Urdée (Urde, or Urdy). Urde means a 'sharp projection', like a spearhead. The plural of urde is urdee and this word is sometimes used to describe the pointed battlements of a fortress. In addition to heraldry, this cross is used as a typographical mark called the obelisk.

The Passion Cross is a smooth design, suitable for heraldry and easy to print or draw. An alternative name is the Nail Cross which has exactly the same meaning but is visually more representational. The Nail Cross may show three, or four, nails.

Protobulgarians

Фиг. 2. Религиозни символи от първите векове на н. е., открити в Северното Прикавказие, кавказката родина на българите. В ляво: символи от Дагестан. А – триквестри. Б – знаци за "трибожие" - трилистници и трикръстници [5]. В дясно: магически и защитни знаци от района на Чечения. 1 – спирала (по български "криулица"), 2- двойна спирала (пафта), 3 - розетка (соларен кръг със звезда) и 4 - кръст с вписани защитни знаци от вида розета, соларен кръг с точка, соларен кръг с кръст и знак "ипсилон" (Y).

via : http://www.protobulgarians.com/Statii%20za%20prabaalgarite/Symvoli%20na%20drevnite%20baalgari-final.htm

Greece - The Meteora. Relics.

Greece - The Meteora.Relics.

Skulls, bones and their meaning:

1.Voodoo
Всички вуду маски, които имат изображение на череп, череп с кости и възможни вариации са маски на добрите духове Лоа. Във Вуду съществува незрима връзка между света на живите и мъртвите. Живите са длъжни да помнят и да почитат мъртвите, а те от своя страна са длъжни да помагат на тези, които ги почитат. Тази взаимовръзка е много силна, макар че някои могат да разбират магията и религията на Вуду като култ към мъртвите. /via www.magicgatebg.com/voodoo/mask.htm

2.Тайно общество на университета Йейл.

3.Пиратски символ.

4.Смърт.



1.A positive symbol in voodoo religion.

2.Skull and Bones is a secret society at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

3.In the old days, I mean the really old days, a skull and crossbones symbol would hang above the entrance to buildings and places related to death (mortuaries, graveyards and so on), to warn people not to go in there. As the years passed, it of course became a symbol of death or risk of death, like on crates of poison.
It is originally not at all related to Nazism; Pretty much all nations in the world used this symbol on their uniforms, but as WWII was over, most people related it to Nazism, and therefore, other armies stopped using this symbol.
When Emanuell Wynn started using this symbol (all pirates had their own symbol; Blackbeard had a full skeleton with horns, holding a spear towards a bleeding heart, Calico Jack had a skull with crossing cutlasses under it, Bartholomew Roberts (Black Bart) had a drawing of himself and a skeleton toasting, Thomas tew had a human arm holding a cutlass in the raised position), it was of course because it was related to poison and death, and this scared the fighting will out of anyone who saw a ship flying these colors.
Pirates did not, however, use it to say "No quarter" ("take no prisoners", meaning that everyone would be killed). A full red flag in addition to the pirate's personal Jolly Roger meant "No quarter", a Jolly Roger simply meant "hello there, we are pirates, and if you look closely enough, you'll see who the captain is!".


So, to sum up:

1. Death
2. Poison
3. Piratery
4. "Oooh, look at me, I'm tough"

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com

Розетката от Плиска.

Намереният през 1961 г. при разкопки в Плиска и публикуван от Ст.Ваклинов седемлъчев бронзов медалион продължава да привлича вниманието на много изследователи.Предвид мястото на неговото намиране и поради наличието на голям брой чисто прабългарски знаци по него, неговият прабългарски произход не буди съмнение. Броят на лъчите на розетата са седем, колкото е броят на небесните светила – планети, извесни на Стария свят, почитани като богове.По часовникова стрелка планетите са подредени както следва: Марс (вторник), Юпитер (четвъртък), Сатурн (събота), Месец (понеделник), Меркурий (сряда), Венера (петък), Слънце (неделя).Розетката датира от 7 - 9 век.
В центъра й е поставен знакът на Върховния бог – ІYІ,считан и за гербов знак на рода Дуло.

Знаците от розетката имат еквиваленти сред най-древните европейски писмености. Става дума за изполуваните в Тракия, остров Крит и континентална Гърция Линеарен А и Линеарен Б. Линеарен А е възникнал през XVIII-ти век преди Христа, а за Линеарен Б се смята, че е създаден през XV- ти век преди Христа, като знаците са взаимствани от Линеарен А. Линеарните писмености имат прототип в Тракия, то може да се каже, че създателите на линеарните писмености са дошли именно от там.
Според Я. Бест огромна част от егейския регион е била заселена с траки, векове преди идването на гърците. Разчитайки плочици с Линеарен А, езиковедът П. Ван Сусберген намери няколко тракийски имена, а в Линеарен Б тракийските имена се оказаха десетки.
Единственото логично обяснение за приликата на старобългарските руни с най-старите писмености на егейския регион и Тракия е това, че нашите деди са местно население, обитаващо земите ни от дълбока древност, т.е. старите българи принадлежат на тракийската общност.Щеше да е грешка, ако нямаше нищо общо между траки и българи, но истината е, че по отношение на погребални ритуали, въоръжение, лични имена и обичаи българите могат да се определят като тракийски народ.

по - подробно прочети : http://sparotok.blog.bg/politika/2009/09/03/rozetkata-ot-pliska-i-egeiskata-pismenost-ot-vtoroto.390833