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A symbol that holds a certain significance today may not have always represented the same concept. Over the centuries, many symbols have undergone significant shifts in meaning. On the other hand, some symbols have faded into obscurity, only to be revived with a completely new interpretation.
10. The Star of David
The Star of David is widely recognized as the primary symbol of Judaism. However, unlike other symbols such as the menorah or shofar, the star is not exclusive to Jewish culture. Before becoming associated with Judaism, it was also used in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. The star's earliest use appears to be in Hinduism, where it represents the Anahata, the fourth chakra, a central energy point in the body.
It remains unclear whether these symbols have a shared origin or if they were independently created by different people, likely because of the fundamental simplicity of the design. The hexagram itself is a basic shape made up of interlocking equilateral triangles, forming a six-pointed star with a hexagon at the center.
Although the Jewish community has used this symbol for centuries, it only became an official emblem in 1897.
9. The Ichthys
The ichthys, often referred to as the 'Jesus Fish,' is widely recognized, though not always by its name. It's a prominent symbol of Christianity and can be commonly seen on bumper stickers and other similar items. This symbol has its roots in early Christianity, when followers of Christ, persecuted by the Romans, would use it as a discreet marker to identify each other. The story goes that when two strangers met, one would draw the first arc of the symbol. If the other person was also Christian, they would complete the drawing by adding the second arc.
Before Christianity emerged, several pagan cultures had already adopted the symbol, assigning it diverse meanings. One of the most notable associations was with fertility, as it was connected to the 'Great Mother.' Some even believed that the symbol represented her womb.
The fish symbol actually faded from common use in Christianity following the rise of the early church. It only regained popularity in recent decades, particularly through parodies like the 'Darwin fish,' which humorously features legs.
8. The Petrine Cross
Regarding Christian symbols, the Petrine Cross, also known as the upside-down cross, is regarded as one of the most powerful anti-Christian symbols globally. Ironically, however, it was once one of the strongest pro-Christian symbols.
The Petrine Cross, also known as the Cross of St. Peter, is linked to the apostle's crucifixion. Believing he was unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ, Peter requested to be crucified upside down. As a result, the inverted cross became a symbol of humility. Today, you can still spot the symbol on various churches, though it does not indicate Satanic worship.
Recently, the inverted cross has been adopted as an anti-Christian symbol, appearing in films like The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby. It was also embraced by the punk and heavy metal subcultures, where it represents a stance against authority.
7. The Skull And Crossbones
The skull and crossbones symbol has two primary meanings that are widely recognized today. The modern interpretation refers to poison, marking harmful substances to warn people not to consume them. Historically, the symbol was associated with pirates, particularly the Jolly Roger flag, which commonly featured a skull and crossbones, though many pirates had unique flag designs.
Interestingly, the Spanish originally used the skull and crossbones symbol to mark cemeteries. You can still find old churches and missions bearing the symbol today. Pirates later adopted it, as its association with graveyards made it well-known and feared.
6. Barber Poles
The classic barber pole design features a spiral of red and white stripes. The red stripe symbolizes blood, specifically representing bloody bandages.
Throughout much of history, barbers had more duties than simply cutting hair and shaving beards. Many also worked as surgeons, and their primary task was bloodletting. People believed that draining blood could cure illnesses, and the process was as messy as it sounds.
The barbers would clean up the blood with fresh bandages or towels. Afterward, they'd often hang the bandages outside as a form of advertisement. If the wind blew, the bandages would wind around a pole, which eventually became the symbol we know today.
5. The 'Okay' Sign
For most Americans, the hand gesture above is understood to mean 'okay,' signifying that one is fine or in agreement. However, it's important to note that this gesture should be avoided in some foreign countries, as few other nations interpret it favorably.
In most other countries, this gesture doesn't carry any particular meaning. However, in several European nations, it is seen as offensive, as it implies that the person it's directed at is a 'zero.' Even more problematic, in various Mediterranean and South American countries, the symbol represents the anus.
That said, the gesture does have another, much older, and positive significance. It is a mudra—a sacred hand gesture in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Known as the Vitarka mudra, which translates to 'mudra of discussion,' this sign is a symbol of teaching and reason. Numerous Buddhist relics, both ancient and modern, portray the Lord Buddha making this gesture.
4. Devil Horns
Today, the devil horns are a common sight at heavy metal concerts and have been for decades. Ronnie James Dio played a key role in popularizing this gesture within the metal scene. While you might assume this symbol dates back centuries with some satanic connotation, it actually holds a very different meaning.
The gesture is a superstition—a symbol originally known as the 'Corna.' Ronnie learned its true significance from his grandmother, and he knew its true meaning well.
Much like the okay symbol, the devil horns represent an ancient mudra—karana, or 'gesture of banishing,' used to ward off evil. However, as with the okay symbol, caution is advised when using this gesture, as it has taken on a completely unrelated vulgar meaning in some places. In the Baltics, for example, pointing the devil horns at someone means you're telling them you engaged in intercourse with their spouse.
3. The Swastika
In many Western countries, the swastika is primarily associated with the Nazis. This is unfortunate, as the swastika (or gammadion cross) is actually a universal and ancient symbol, one of the oldest in human history. It has appeared in numerous ancient religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, and was also used by civilizations like the Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and Celts. The symbol even shows up on pottery that predates recorded history.
Some of the earliest uses of the swastika are found in Hinduism, where it represents the god Vishnu. The symbol remains in common use within Hinduism and Buddhism today. Its meaning can vary depending on which direction it rotates: Clockwise swastikas symbolize Vishnu, while counterclockwise ones are associated with Kali.
Before it became tied to the Nazi movement, the swastika was used in many different contexts. It appeared on everything from an old laundry in Ireland to Danish brewer Carlsberg, and even by the Finnish and Latvian Air Forces.
2. The Peace Symbol
For many people, this symbol is closely linked to the counterculture and hippie movements of the 1960s. Unlike the other symbols on this list, the peace symbol does not have ancient roots. However, the designer, Gerald Holtom, created it for a very specific, now-lost purpose: British nuclear disarmament.
Holtom himself explained that the design represents a person—himself, in fact. The figure is in deep despair, with hands 'outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya’s peasant before the firing squad.' He came up with the symbol by merging the semaphore letters for N and D, representing 'nuclear disarmament.' Afterward, he refined it with a few lines, added a circle around it, and that was the final creation.
The symbol continued to gain popularity throughout the years because Holtom never patented it. Over time, it became a powerful representation of freedom, and eventually, it came to stand for peace.
Attempts have been made to link the symbol with older and darker origins, such as satanic broken crosses or Nazi insignia, but these alleged connections are purely coincidental.
1. The Caduceus
The caduceus, also called the staff of Hermes, is often seen in medical or healthcare settings. It is depicted as a staff with wings and two snakes wrapped around it. However, when you encounter this symbol, you're actually seeing an error.
The staff of Hermes, in medical contexts, is often confused with the rod of Asclepius, which features only one snake coiled around a staff with no wings. Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine and healing, is the appropriate figure for healthcare symbols, which is why his rod should be used.
The mix-up traces back to the US Army Medical Corps, which chose the staff of Hermes over 100 years ago, due to a mistake made by a single officer who confused the two. As a result, the caduceus has come to symbolize medicine, particularly in North America. In other parts of the world, however, the caduceus is more commonly recognized as a symbol for commerce, given that Hermes was the god of merchants and trade.
