MODERN SYMBOLS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR ORIGINAL MEANING

THE RAISED FIST

In modern times, the raised fist symbolizes solidarity

and socialism, while it also expresses unity, power

and defiance. It dates back to ancient Assyria where it

represented resistance to violent acts.

THE MISTLETOE

Each December many people worldwide decorate their

houses with mistletoe and kiss beneath it. The original

meaning of this plant, however, had nothing to do with

kissing or hugging. Ancient Norse myth, where the mistletoe

originates, saw a mistletoe as a symbol of ritual castration.

THE INFINITY SYMBOL

In modern times the infinity symbol has become a secular

mathematical sign for the infinity of numbers, time, or space

but its original meaning has nothing to do with its

modern use. In ancient India and Tibet it represented

perfection, dualism, and union between male and female.

THE ANKH

The Ankh became popular in the West once it was adopted

by New Age mysticism groups during the sixties and seventies

but has been around for thousands of years. It comes from

ancient Egypt where it was a hieroglyphic that symbolized

life, while according to other sources it was considered

to be the key to the Nile.

THE TRIDENT

Also known as “the devil’s pitchfork” in pretty much every

Christian country, this symbol’s origin has nothing to do with

Satan. Its origin can be traced back to ancient Greece, where

the trident was seen as a sacred symbol and the powerful

weapon of Poseidon, god of the sea.

MUDRAS (HAND GESTURES)

It might sound ridiculously funny to those who happen to

know the origin of the mudras, but there are indeed many

people, especially in the United States, who think that some

of the mudras originated in American ghettos and

represent certain gangs like the Bloods or Crips. Of course,

the original mudras have nothing to do with violence or

gangs and originated in India where they symbolize peace,

harmony, and good mental health, among other good things.

THE LIGHTNING BOLT

This is another symbol that many people wrongly associate

exclusively with Nazism, since the double lightning bolt

was the official symbol of the Waffen-SS. The history of the

lightning bolt, however, goes back to ancient Greece where

people considered it a symbol of divine power and

punishment from Zeus against those who

challenged the gods or wronged others.

THE TWO-FINGERED SALUTE

The two-fingered salute, not to be confused with the V sign, might

not be the most popular way to salute someone today, but

some people will still do it, mostly instinctively. Regardless

of how it is viewed today, this salute goes back to ancient

Rome, where defeated gladiators used it to ask for

mercy from the Lord of the Arena.

THE PHOENIX

Also known as the Reichsadler, or “imperial eagle,” this

symbol derived from the Roman eagle standard used by the

Roman emperors. In modern times the symbol has almost

exclusively been associated with Nazi ideology,

Hitler, and the Third Reich.