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PRESENT SYMBOLS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR ORIGINAL MEANING

Added on: 23rd Nov 2016

 

THE DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE

Double-headed eagle

The double-headed eagle is a symbol that most people

wrongly associate with Russia when in fact its origin

goes back to the Byzantine Empire. Used as the

dynastic emblem of the Greek Palaiologoi dynasty (the

last emperors of the Byzantine Empire), the double-headed

eagle became the symbol of Greek Orthodox Christianity,

from whence other Orthodox nations (like

Russia, for example) later borrowed it.

 

 

IRON CROSS

Iron cross

The Iron Cross was originally a military decoration in Prussia

but during the First World War it became a popular symbol

in Germany and appeared on almost every German fighter

plane and tank. A few years later it became a symbol

of fascism in France then Portugal.

 

 

THE CADUCEUS

The Caduceus

Today people associate the caduceus with medicine. In origin,

however, the caduceus, which features two snakes winding

around a usually winged staff, is the traditional symbol of

the Greek god Hermes, the messenger god.

 

 

THE DEVIL’S HORNS

The Devil’s horns

Most of us think of Hard Rock music when we see the devil’s

horns, but this symbol’s history goes all the way back to ancient

India where it was used as a gesture by the Buddha to expel

demons and remove obstacles such as illness or negative thoughts.

 

 

THE BARBER POLE

The barber pole

You probably don’t know this, but the colours on the

old-fashioned, almost iconic barber pole are not random.

They symbolize the bloody legacy of the medieval period,

when people went to barbers not just for a haircut and a

shave but also for bloodletting and other medical procedures.

 

 

THE SKULL AND CROSSBONES

The skull and crossbones

The skull and crossbones are mostly used these days as a

warning sign of danger, usually related to poisonous and

deadly chemicals. This symbol’s design, however, goes back

to the Middle Ages, where it was used as the absolute

symbol of death.

 

 

THE STAR OF DAVID

The star of David

Since 1897, when it was chosen as the central symbol on the

flag at the First Zionist Congress, the Star of David represents

the Jewish and Zionist community worldwide. However, in the

third to fourth century AD Israel, it lacked such value and

import; it was only a decorative architectural design

in synagogues.

 

 

ALL-SEEING EYE

All-seeing eye

When most people see this symbol they automatically think

of the Masonic brotherhood and their secret agenda for

world domination, yet its origin is quite innocent: it is

supposed to be the eye of God watching

(and protecting) humanity.

 


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