> many questions. i've been pondering some and
> a few memories were of the concentration of the
> cross (as with mass crucifixions, as mentioned)
> in military cemeteries, especially, where there is
> a field of (mostly) white crosses, those i've seen.
> (and stars of david and others, but overwhelmingly
> crosses, a field of these symbols- what is the symbol
> of, then? it is wondered if, as a christian symbolism
> it is of 'the cross' or of the symbol of the 'crucifixion'.)
>
> "X marks the spot" is a well known saying, often it
> is associated with marking a buried treasure in some
> popular-culture show or movie, so ubiquitous a saying
> it is hard to imagine -- is it ancient. the idea, also, of the
> idea of a marking or graffiti of symbols, was this used
> to communicate like in urban cultures, then and now,
> a type of cryptic (if that is the description) instruction.
> as has been written, when hidden in meaning a cross
> was symbolized by an anchor (ship-based, again, and
> not sure about fish-symbols at all). yet then there has
> been mention of later religious symbolism, i thought,
> of the middle-ages and with knights and heraldry (if
> this is the name) and ceremonial crossing-of-swords.
> though, i think it was stated somewhere the 't' sword
> is (like an anchor) in relation to the these same issues.
>
> also, the tree of death or tree cross of whatnot would,
> it was imagined, possibly be linked to the 'tree of life',
> in that it is an equal-opposite juxtaposition. maybe of
> no connection yet then i went into a symbol dictionary
> and found this:
>
> Cross: The complex symbolism of the cross neither
> denies nor supplants the historical meaning
> in Christianity. But in addition to the realities of Christianity
> there are two other essential factors: that of the symbolism
> of the cross as such and that of the crucifixion or of 'suffering
> upon the cross'. In the first place, the cross is dramatic in
> derivation, an inversion, as it were, of the Tree of Paradise.
> Hence, the cross is often represented in mediaeval allegory
> as a Y-shaped tree, depicted with knots and even with
> branches, and sometimes with thorns. Like the Tree of
> Life, the cross stands for the 'world-axis'. Placed in the
> mystic Centre of the cosmos, it becomes the bridge or
> ladder by means of which the soul may reach God. There
> are some versions which depict the cross with the seven
> heavens (17). The cross, consequently, affirms the primary
> relationship between the two worlds of the celestial and
> the earthly (14). But, in addition, because of the cross-
> piece which cuts cleanly across the upright (in turn
> implying the symbols of level and of the axis of the world),
> it stands for the conjunction of opposites, wedding the
> spiritual (or vertical) principle with the principle of the
> world of phenomena. Hence its significance as a symbol
> for agony, struggle and martyrdom (14). Sometimes the
> cross is T-shaped, further emphasizing the near-
> equilibrium of the opposing principles. Jung comments
> that in some traditions the cross is a symbol of fire and
> of the sufferings of existence, and that this may be due
> to the fact that the two arms were associated with the
> kindling sticks which primitive {wo|man} rubbed together
> to produce fire and which {s|he} thought of as masculine
> and feminine. But the predominant meaning of the cross
> is that of 'Conjunction'. Plato, in ~Timaeus, tells how the
> demiurge joins up the broken parts of the world-soul by
> means of two sculptures shaped like St. Anthony's cross
> (31). Bayley stresses the fire-symbolism of the cross, and
> explains that all the words for 'cross' (crux, cruz, crowz,
> croaz, krois, krouz) have a common etymological basis
> in ~ -ak, -ur or -os ~, signifying 'light of the Great Fire' (4).
> The cross has been widely used as a graphic emblem,
> very largely the result of Christian influence but equally
> on account of the basic significance of the sign; for it is
> clear that all basic notions, whether they are ideas or
> signs, have come about without the prompting of any
> cultural influence. Hundreds of different shapes of
> crosses have been summarized in works such as
> Lehner's ~Symbols, Signs and Signets~, and it has
> been found possible, by the study of graphic
> symbolism to elucidate the particular meaning of
> each one. Many of them take the form of insignias
> of military orders, medals, etc. The Swastika is a
> very common type of cross (q.v. ~Swastika). The
> Egyptian, anserated cross is particularly interesting
> in view of its antiquity. In Egyptian hieroglyphics it
> stands for life or living (~Nem~Ankh) and forms
> part of such words as 'health' and 'happiness'. Its
> upper arm is a curve, sometimes almost closed to
> form a circle. Enel analyses this hieroglyphic as
> follows: 'The phonetic significance of this sign is
> a combination of the signs for activity and passivity
> and of a mixture of the two, and conforms with the
> symbolism of the cross in general as the synthesis
> of the active and passive principle.' The very shape
> of the anserated cross expresses a profound idea:
> that of the circle of life spreading outwards from the
> Origin and falling upon the surface (that is, upon
> the passivity of existence which it then animates)
> as well as soaring upward towards the infinite. It
> may also be seen as a magic knot binding together
> some particular combination of elements to form
> one individual, a view which would confirm its
> characteristic life-symbolism. It may also signify
> destiny. Judged from the macro-cosmic point of
> view, that is of its analogy with the world, the
> ~Ankh-cross may represent the sun, the sky and
> the earth (by reference to the circle, the upright
> and the horizontal lines). As a microcosmic sign,
> that is by analogy with {wo|man}, the circle would
> represent the human head or reason (or the 'sun'
> which gives {him|her} life), the horizontal arms
> {his|her} arms, and the upright {his|her} body (19).
> In sum, the most general significance of the cross
> is that of the conjunction of opposites: the positive
> (or the vertical) with the negative (or horizontal),
> the superior with the inferior, life with death. The
> basic idea behind the symbolism of crucifixion is
> that of experiencing the essence of antagonism,
> an idea which lies at the root of existence,
> expressing as does life's agonizing pain, its
> cross-roads of possibilities and impossibilities,
> of construction and destruction. Evola suggests
> that the cross is a synthesis of the seven aspects
> of space and time, because its form is such that
> it both maintains and destroys free movement;
> hence, the cross is the antithesis of the Ouroboros,
> the serpent or dragon denoting the primeval,
> anarchic dynamism which preceded the creation
> of the cosmos and the emergence of order. There
> is, thus, a close relationship between the cross
> and the sword, since both of them are wielded
> against the primordial monster (Plate V)."
>
> endquote pp. 65-68 A Dictionary of Symbols,
> J.E. Cirlot, Philosophical Library, NY c 1962
>
>
> tried a fairly decent etymological dictionary
> though it did not have an entry for 'cross' itself.
> so tried a thesaurus for a wide-ranging survey:
>
> _cross
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
EXCELLENT QUOTE !
KEEP ON....
PUBLISH ALL THE DICTIONARY, PLEASE Brian !!
> wondering about language/letters, and the
> references to crosses, there is an X, Y, T, etc.
>
>
> 'terror' is an interesting etymology though will
> leave that for another compilation. only to say
> that the taboo of using the word is in its origins
> for tremor and to frighten. writing about it was
> at first a destructive emotional experience, as
> it was not realized how privatized this language
> has become, where some use/abuse its power.
> brian
>
let's crossover and follow with tears , and errors...!
--
The Design-L list for art and architecture, since 1992...
To subscribe, send mailto:design-l-subscribe-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.
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Visit archives: http://lists.psu.edu/archives/design-l.html
> a few memories were of the concentration of the
> cross (as with mass crucifixions, as mentioned)
> in military cemeteries, especially, where there is
> a field of (mostly) white crosses, those i've seen.
> (and stars of david and others, but overwhelmingly
> crosses, a field of these symbols- what is the symbol
> of, then? it is wondered if, as a christian symbolism
> it is of 'the cross' or of the symbol of the 'crucifixion'.)
>
> "X marks the spot" is a well known saying, often it
> is associated with marking a buried treasure in some
> popular-culture show or movie, so ubiquitous a saying
> it is hard to imagine -- is it ancient. the idea, also, of the
> idea of a marking or graffiti of symbols, was this used
> to communicate like in urban cultures, then and now,
> a type of cryptic (if that is the description) instruction.
> as has been written, when hidden in meaning a cross
> was symbolized by an anchor (ship-based, again, and
> not sure about fish-symbols at all). yet then there has
> been mention of later religious symbolism, i thought,
> of the middle-ages and with knights and heraldry (if
> this is the name) and ceremonial crossing-of-swords.
> though, i think it was stated somewhere the 't' sword
> is (like an anchor) in relation to the these same issues.
>
> also, the tree of death or tree cross of whatnot would,
> it was imagined, possibly be linked to the 'tree of life',
> in that it is an equal-opposite juxtaposition. maybe of
> no connection yet then i went into a symbol dictionary
> and found this:
>
> Cross: The complex symbolism of the cross neither
> denies nor supplants the historical meaning
> in Christianity. But in addition to the realities of Christianity
> there are two other essential factors: that of the symbolism
> of the cross as such and that of the crucifixion or of 'suffering
> upon the cross'. In the first place, the cross is dramatic in
> derivation, an inversion, as it were, of the Tree of Paradise.
> Hence, the cross is often represented in mediaeval allegory
> as a Y-shaped tree, depicted with knots and even with
> branches, and sometimes with thorns. Like the Tree of
> Life, the cross stands for the 'world-axis'. Placed in the
> mystic Centre of the cosmos, it becomes the bridge or
> ladder by means of which the soul may reach God. There
> are some versions which depict the cross with the seven
> heavens (17). The cross, consequently, affirms the primary
> relationship between the two worlds of the celestial and
> the earthly (14). But, in addition, because of the cross-
> piece which cuts cleanly across the upright (in turn
> implying the symbols of level and of the axis of the world),
> it stands for the conjunction of opposites, wedding the
> spiritual (or vertical) principle with the principle of the
> world of phenomena. Hence its significance as a symbol
> for agony, struggle and martyrdom (14). Sometimes the
> cross is T-shaped, further emphasizing the near-
> equilibrium of the opposing principles. Jung comments
> that in some traditions the cross is a symbol of fire and
> of the sufferings of existence, and that this may be due
> to the fact that the two arms were associated with the
> kindling sticks which primitive {wo|man} rubbed together
> to produce fire and which {s|he} thought of as masculine
> and feminine. But the predominant meaning of the cross
> is that of 'Conjunction'. Plato, in ~Timaeus, tells how the
> demiurge joins up the broken parts of the world-soul by
> means of two sculptures shaped like St. Anthony's cross
> (31). Bayley stresses the fire-symbolism of the cross, and
> explains that all the words for 'cross' (crux, cruz, crowz,
> croaz, krois, krouz) have a common etymological basis
> in ~ -ak, -ur or -os ~, signifying 'light of the Great Fire' (4).
> The cross has been widely used as a graphic emblem,
> very largely the result of Christian influence but equally
> on account of the basic significance of the sign; for it is
> clear that all basic notions, whether they are ideas or
> signs, have come about without the prompting of any
> cultural influence. Hundreds of different shapes of
> crosses have been summarized in works such as
> Lehner's ~Symbols, Signs and Signets~, and it has
> been found possible, by the study of graphic
> symbolism to elucidate the particular meaning of
> each one. Many of them take the form of insignias
> of military orders, medals, etc. The Swastika is a
> very common type of cross (q.v. ~Swastika). The
> Egyptian, anserated cross is particularly interesting
> in view of its antiquity. In Egyptian hieroglyphics it
> stands for life or living (~Nem~Ankh) and forms
> part of such words as 'health' and 'happiness'. Its
> upper arm is a curve, sometimes almost closed to
> form a circle. Enel analyses this hieroglyphic as
> follows: 'The phonetic significance of this sign is
> a combination of the signs for activity and passivity
> and of a mixture of the two, and conforms with the
> symbolism of the cross in general as the synthesis
> of the active and passive principle.' The very shape
> of the anserated cross expresses a profound idea:
> that of the circle of life spreading outwards from the
> Origin and falling upon the surface (that is, upon
> the passivity of existence which it then animates)
> as well as soaring upward towards the infinite. It
> may also be seen as a magic knot binding together
> some particular combination of elements to form
> one individual, a view which would confirm its
> characteristic life-symbolism. It may also signify
> destiny. Judged from the macro-cosmic point of
> view, that is of its analogy with the world, the
> ~Ankh-cross may represent the sun, the sky and
> the earth (by reference to the circle, the upright
> and the horizontal lines). As a microcosmic sign,
> that is by analogy with {wo|man}, the circle would
> represent the human head or reason (or the 'sun'
> which gives {him|her} life), the horizontal arms
> {his|her} arms, and the upright {his|her} body (19).
> In sum, the most general significance of the cross
> is that of the conjunction of opposites: the positive
> (or the vertical) with the negative (or horizontal),
> the superior with the inferior, life with death. The
> basic idea behind the symbolism of crucifixion is
> that of experiencing the essence of antagonism,
> an idea which lies at the root of existence,
> expressing as does life's agonizing pain, its
> cross-roads of possibilities and impossibilities,
> of construction and destruction. Evola suggests
> that the cross is a synthesis of the seven aspects
> of space and time, because its form is such that
> it both maintains and destroys free movement;
> hence, the cross is the antithesis of the Ouroboros,
> the serpent or dragon denoting the primeval,
> anarchic dynamism which preceded the creation
> of the cosmos and the emergence of order. There
> is, thus, a close relationship between the cross
> and the sword, since both of them are wielded
> against the primordial monster (Plate V)."
>
> endquote pp. 65-68 A Dictionary of Symbols,
> J.E. Cirlot, Philosophical Library, NY c 1962
>
>
> tried a fairly decent etymological dictionary
> though it did not have an entry for 'cross' itself.
> so tried a thesaurus for a wide-ranging survey:
>
> _cross
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
EXCELLENT QUOTE !
KEEP ON....
PUBLISH ALL THE DICTIONARY, PLEASE Brian !!
> wondering about language/letters, and the
> references to crosses, there is an X, Y, T, etc.
>
>
> 'terror' is an interesting etymology though will
> leave that for another compilation. only to say
> that the taboo of using the word is in its origins
> for tremor and to frighten. writing about it was
> at first a destructive emotional experience, as
> it was not realized how privatized this language
> has become, where some use/abuse its power.
> brian
>
let's crossover and follow with tears , and errors...!
--
The Design-L list for art and architecture, since 1992...
To subscribe, send mailto:design-l-subscribe-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.
To signoff, send mailto:design-l-unsubscribe-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Visit archives: http://lists.psu.edu/archives/design-l.html