Symbols

[Logic please]

@Jerry: given your military involvement, what about a symbol drawn from that tradition?

For example, if it can be done without too much complication, a graphic of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima strikes me as embodying some of the qualities you are looking to represent. No doubt you could think of other pertinent symbols from this area.

Also, thinking further along Mr B's Shire stallion idea, what about a stag's head or similar?

[Fearless]

Thanks for your personal honesty Jerry, we seldom see it here, especially when being queried around scripture. More often our religious visitors duck and weave, usually trip over doing so

Sure you're not an atheist? Sorry, inspired by a little tongue in cheek joke from Daniel Dennett at the convention we just had.

Back on topic, the more I think about Mr Black's suggestion, there are a good number of ideas to explore in the animal kingdom, even eagles can look fantastic as tattoos. They would match your criteria would they not?

[ClayMonk]

In all seriousness, Jerry, have you thought that your infatuation with symbols might be unhealthy for you?

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by The Irreverent Mr Black

I was thinking of strength and temperance, Jerry, and was reminded of a very large Shire stallion I saw at a country ag show (like your county fairs), in his horse-float with his pet kitten between his enormous, feathered feet.

Despite his size and power, that horse doted on his kitten, and wouldn't travel without her, the owner told me.

(Yes, the hairy fringe around the hoofs is referred to as feathers.)

Wow what a site, the great and small in tandem

[wearestardust]

I like dragons, for what it is worth. A dragon is about the only thing I have thought about getting ink of, on those occasions when I turn my mind to such things. I have a dragon on a chain, albeit a Chinese one, whereas if I were to get ink it would be one with wings.

I rather like the symbol of Ganesh, due to the coolness of crushing ignorance and and being the overcomer of obstacles. I don't think I'd wear Ganesh, though, let alone get one tattooed. That goes for any really extant religious symbol, partly because I am an atheist (has anyone noticed that?), partly out of respect for believers. That's why I'm not in favour of sprinkling statues of Buddha about the place if one doesn't mean it. But then perhaps I shouldn't have my Ganesh lampshade.

But, furthering my inconsistency, I don't seem to have a problem with appropriating less-extant religious traditions. Bettyboop is, for example, buying for my birthday a replica of a Thor's Hammer, which as the name suggest is an item of religious jewellery based on Thor's Mjolnir favoured by the Norse. for some reason I seem less concerned about upsetting wiccans. Then again, wiccans generally aren't the kind of people to get upset about a non-believer wearing a symbol which they use.

Now rambling aimlessly, lookit this:

http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngu...cal-fallacies/

That Thor's Hammer is the Skane find (or a replica thereof), which is what I am (also) getting a replica of.

Thor ... Ganesh ... time to bring out http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/...6&postcount=62!!!!!!!

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by ClayMonk

In all seriousness, Jerry, have you thought that your infatuation with symbols might be unhealthy for you?

If I became obsessive, yes I could see how that wouldn't be healthy.

[ClayMonk]

Originally Posted by Jerry

If I became obsessive, yes I could see how that wouldn't be healthy.

I was more thinking that you are still doing the Wiccan thing, using something external to control something internal.

[Logic]

Originally Posted by ClayMonk

I was more thinking that you are still doing the Wiccan thing, using something external to control something internal.

Not necessarily.

For example: I tattooed an atheist symbol on myself, well it's more of a word but anyway, and there's nothing deeper to it then physical representation of something I feel strongly about.


i sent this from my iPad

[ClayMonk]

I think a Lion would represent strength and temperance in a secular context.

[ClayMonk]

Originally Posted by Logic

Not necessarily.

For example: I tattooed an atheist symbol on myself, well it's more of a word but anyway, and there's nothing deeper to it then physical representation of something I feel strongly about.


i sent this from my iPad

Yeah but I think for Jerry it's more than that. I have a celtic tattoo on my right arm, it doesn't really mean anything, I just like it. If I needed it to give me internal motivation then I think a) it wouldn't last and b) why can't I get my motivation from inside?