Decrypting Italian Graffiti Symbols
March 7, 2007 12:44 PM Subscribe
Italian graffiti: questions about two common symbols in modern spray art.
There are two standouts I'm curious about.
The first is what could be described as a "rifle sight": a circle overlaid by an overlapping cross. This symbol most often stands alone and is pretty common. It's not the Anarchist's circle-A but I thought perhaps it was related. I've got no clue as to what this one's about.
The second I know is loosely translated as "basso" or "down with" and looks like two overlapping V's and always used in conjunction with whatever we're wishing down and sometimes shown inverted in what I understand is the reverse -- "up with". I've been able to figure out (obviously) the "what", here, but is anyone familiar with the etymology? Perhaps some clarification on its use? I -thought- I saw it used formally in a town where a nice cloth banner read "VV the class of 88" or so and that didn't quite jibe so maybe my guide for this information was only partially correct in her understanding.
There are two standouts I'm curious about.
The first is what could be described as a "rifle sight": a circle overlaid by an overlapping cross. This symbol most often stands alone and is pretty common. It's not the Anarchist's circle-A but I thought perhaps it was related. I've got no clue as to what this one's about.
The second I know is loosely translated as "basso" or "down with" and looks like two overlapping V's and always used in conjunction with whatever we're wishing down and sometimes shown inverted in what I understand is the reverse -- "up with". I've been able to figure out (obviously) the "what", here, but is anyone familiar with the etymology? Perhaps some clarification on its use? I -thought- I saw it used formally in a town where a nice cloth banner read "VV the class of 88" or so and that didn't quite jibe so maybe my guide for this information was only partially correct in her understanding.
(photo example of a formal use of VV in a photo i took)
posted by baklavabaklava at 1:39 PM on March 7, 2007
posted by baklavabaklava at 1:39 PM on March 7, 2007
Best answer: the "rifle sight" is a croce celtica
VV is Viva, ie "long live"
posted by matteo at 2:03 PM on March 7, 2007
VV is Viva, ie "long live"
posted by matteo at 2:03 PM on March 7, 2007
and yes the Celtic cross is a symbol used by young Fascists and neonazis
posted by matteo at 2:04 PM on March 7, 2007
posted by matteo at 2:04 PM on March 7, 2007
Best answer: and it's not "basso", it's "abbasso", and yes it means "down with"
posted by matteo at 2:05 PM on March 7, 2007
posted by matteo at 2:05 PM on March 7, 2007
Response by poster: Sweet -- thanks all. Clearly got the up/down translation incorrect :)
posted by Ogre Lawless at 2:55 PM on March 7, 2007
posted by Ogre Lawless at 2:55 PM on March 7, 2007
VV=viva=long live...; upside-down VV=abbasso=down with...
incidentally, italians will tend to write a W as two overlapping v's.
posted by progosk at 4:25 PM on March 7, 2007
incidentally, italians will tend to write a W as two overlapping v's.
posted by progosk at 4:25 PM on March 7, 2007
Italians will tend to write a W as two overlapping v's
Ahh, I wondered why baklavabaklava's photo shows an uncircled VW logo.
posted by Rash at 11:58 AM on March 9, 2007
Ahh, I wondered why baklavabaklava's photo shows an uncircled VW logo.
posted by Rash at 11:58 AM on March 9, 2007
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posted by baklavabaklava at 1:36 PM on March 7, 2007