Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with symbolism

It can't be an oil derrick, this is Seattle after all

dw — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:31 -0800

What is the thing that looks like an oil derrick in this picture? My daughter is starting kindergarten at Daniel Bagley school here in Seattle. It's unusual among Seattle school buildings in that it's somewhat art deco, as the district's architect experimented with art deco design flourishes in this building (built 1930) and then abandoned them for later school designs. The building is decorated with these stone ornaments over all the doors (including a number of "modern inventions" over one door, such as a late 1920s vintage movie camera).

In this picture, you see two of the three shields that are over the front door. The middle one is a book with "1930" written in it (as seen in the photo). The one on the right (not pictured) is of an owl, which obviously symbolizes learning. And that leaves the one at the left, and I'm stumped at what it could be. I'm assuming it's some symbol of learning, but I can't figure out what it is. Any ideas?

Apologies for the blurry; it was taken with an iPhone around dusk.

What's the current state of thought regarding symbolism within psychological analysis?

humblepigeon — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:09:50 -0800

What's the current state of thought regarding symbolism within psychological analysis (ie Freud and Jung)? I have only a slight knowledge of psychology, but I understand that both Freud and Jung have been widely discredited. Has there been any advances in symbolistic psychology since Freud and Jung's time? Is it still considered a valid tool with which to analyse the human mind and, in a wider context, the workings of the world? As you might be able to guess, I'm approaching this from the angle of critical theory but it all comes from a psychological root that was once highly regarded and I'm interested in understanding the validity or otherwise of it nowadays.

Mongol Nazis?!

phrontist — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:59:29 -0800

A friend of mine has just returned from Mongolia and was describing roving mad-max style gangs of men using Nazi symbols, with apparently limited understanding of their meaning in the west. Where can I read more about Mongolian Nazis? Is this really prevalent? How did they come to hear about Nazis in the first place? Do they get along with western neo-nazis (despite being ethnically Mongolian)? It just sounds so surreal...

Kate Chopin's "The Awakening"

madmamasmith — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:43:24 -0800

I am trying to get a better understanding of Kate Chopin's "The Awakening" **Spoiler Alert** I see it as a woman's discovery of her freedom and independence. The main character forsakes her role as wife and mother in late 19th century society and pursues her own happiness. I don’t really understand the juxtaposition of the men in the story. Her husband ,who she escapes, is not violent or demanding and reacts to her leaving rather well by my standards; showing there was little emotional investment in their relationship. Women cant initiate divorce yet I suppose, but Edna does the next best thing by moving out. The object of her affection, Robert, refuses to be with her even though she has left her husband (because he "loves" her).But Alcee Arobin has no problem being private or public with Edna. So what do all these different male characters represent? Please let me know your ideas, Thanks!!

Tell me about symbolism in clothing.

giggleknickers — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:33:50 -0800

I'm interested in symbolic clothing. I'm just curious if there are any other cultures/subcultures than karate which use something like the coloured belt system. It's not the same as medals for certain achievements, or symbols of class (like purple being a colour only royalty may wear). Some symbol that shows how far along you are in an ability you are working on mastering. Something that shows what "level" you are.

I find the concept interesting, so I was just wondering. :)

Jewish Symbolism in Mothman Prophecies

Raichle — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:30:32 -0800

Did anybody else notice all of the Stars of David in the movie the Mothman Prophecy? If so, what did you think it meant? Just watched the movie for the first time and noticed an awful lot of
Star of David images and I was wondering what they represented/meant? Obviously I know what the Star of David means in the usual contexts.

Why do I always dream about stairwells and elevators?

coizero — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:06:41 -0800

Whenever I dream, stairwells, elevators, and large buildings with multiple levels always figure prominently. There'd be nothing strange about this except a) my daily life does not involve stairwells, large buildings, or elevators in any way, and b) they're in absolutely every dream I have -- no exceptions. This has been going on for at least a year, possibly longer. What could be possibly be causing this?

Wolves at the Door

ZenMasterThis — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:59:26 -0800

Wolf imagery and depression. References? Pretty sure I read or heard a discussion by a woman (?) a few months back about wolves (at the door?) as a symbol for depression, but I can't find it anywhere. Am I imagining this, or did I really read / hear it somewhere? (I'm aware of the REM tune "Wolves, Lower", but that's not what I'm looking for) Thanks!

Will you marry me (even if I don't spend 2 months of my salary on a ring)?

mpls2 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:07:05 -0800

How common is it for couples to get married without an expensive engagement ring? Basically, because of my background and general worldview, I think the idea of an expensive diamond engagement ring is... absurd. Kind of like going to church on Sunday: traditional and pointless. Using the money for a down payment on a house or investing it for retirement seems so obviously more sensible that I'm wondering why everybody but the rich doesn't do it.

I know I'm not alone in thinking this, but I'm wondering how common it is for couples to forgo an expensive engagement ring. Sources, anecdotes, and opinions are welcome.

Thanks!

What destroyed itself, only to emerge better? And don't say Paris Hilton.

ferociouskitty — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:53:26 -0800

Mythology (?) question: I'm looking for a story or creature that must destroy or consume itself in order to either become stronger or to reveal its true form/essence. I'm interested in transformations in general, but I'm really hoping to find something that plays up the self-destruction. Can be from any culture's mythology. A few of the things I've considered, but aren't quite right are: koi dragon, butterfly, phoenix, ouroboros.

Bonus points if it's visually cool, as I started thinking about this when I was contemplating my next tattoo.

Is the Dharma Wheel a commonly recognized Buddhist symbol?

aebaxter — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:42:16 -0800

Non-Buddhists: Would you recognize the Dharma wheel as a Buddhist symbol? I'm a Buddhist, and I'm considering getting a tattoo of a Dharma wheel on my left forearm. My girlfriend, however, thinks that I'm overestimating American society's knowledge of Buddhist symbolism. She insists that the symbol looks nautical, and the average person would not know what a Dharma wheel was or how it was related to Buddhism. She thinks people will see the tattoo and ask if I'm in the Navy.

So, my question: if you're not a Buddhist, would you recognize a simple Dharma wheel (Wikipedia image here, Google image results for "Dharma wheel" here) as a Buddhist symbol? Do you think the average person would see it as a nautical (or other) symbol?

Note: I don't really care whether other people recognize the tattoo or not, as I'm not getting it for other people, I'm getting it for me. But it will be the first tattoo I've gotten that's in a very visible spot, so that's why my girlfriend is concerned. She thinks it'll get irritating having to explain it all the time.

Tattoo inspiration

comatose — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 09:29:07 -0800

Looking for tattoo inspiration/symbolism. I have visited a number of highly recommended and acclaimed tattoo artists in my area, and am not much impressed with tattoo as an art. So, I have decided to design my own tattoo and have someone else put it on me. I am looking for ideas and inspiration.

What i want: an idea/object/animal that can be depicted in any way without loosing the symbolism. Something that has a definitive meaning. (A koi fish is a perfect example of this) Is there meaning to where you put it on your body? (not just personal meaning)

What I don't want: anything religious. No direct symbols (cross, ankh, or pentagram) or pattern designs. No "tribal" stuff either. No biker babes, knives, skulls, or motorcycles. No words. (you get the idea)

What's this red cross ring?

timetoevolve — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 13:54:22 -0800

What's the meaning of this ring? I saw this ring on a distinguished-looking older man on the metro in Northern Virginia and can't identify it. I thought it might be a St. George's Cross, but it's not quite right (the cross doesn't reach the edge of the white area).

What is it? This has been driving us nuts.

Tattoo design help.

ferociouskitty — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 19:22:36 -0800

Help me redesign my new tattoo. I came up with this design because I wanted something with five parts, geometric, that gently suggests progress and balance.

My artist warns me that with the fine lines and right angles, the tattoo will not look so perfectly geometrical should my body change at all over the course of my lifetime. I'm guessing it will. Any other ideas for maybe something a bit more fluid/forgiving? Definitely do not want kanji or any particular culture's symbol for balance/progress.

What, if anything, does this tattoo mean?

electroboy — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 14:46:13 -0800

What do the spider web tattoos on one's elbows mean? I've heard various things, from it being a Aryan prison tattoo to meaning absolutely nothing. Anyone have any insight? I've seen a couple people with them, and i can't say that prison could be ruled out in any of those cases.

Identify head gear in this work of art

fire&wings — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 16:42:23 -0800

Can anyone identify either the name, or the purpose of a piece of headwear in this pastel by symbolist artist Lucien Levy Dhurmer? The artwork in question can be viewed here. I think it was just the fashion at the time. I would appreciate the name of this type of headgear, it looks faintly medical but I'm not sure.

Significance to rolling up one sweatpant leg?

me3dia — Tue, 06 Jan 2004 10:13:50 -0800

What's the story behind rolling one leg of sweatpants/warm-up pants up? Is it just fashion, or does it signify something? It seems to be an urban/hip-hop thing, but I'm a little too chicken to go up to some baller and ask. Anyone know what it means, and if so, where it came from?