The Stoic
Emblem
I've been
learning about Stoicism recently. With graphic art
and illustration my profession, I decided to make
a Stoic Emblem. While it may seem a simple logo at
first glance, I have imbedded many symbolic
meanings within its form.
The
general depiction is of the Primal Fire, or Logos
- the Reason which governs the workings of the
universe. The shape of the flame is based on three
circles (see diagram at bottom of this post). The
central circular flame represents the Divine Fire
of the universe itself. The two circular clusters
that spring off on the left or right side
represent our individual minds (or souls), which
are a part of the Divine Fire and spring forth
from it.
There are
four tips to the flame, representing each of the
four elements in which Logos forms, according to
the physics at the time of Stoicism's founding
(fire, air, water, and earth).
The flame
tips appear random at first glance but has been
given an orderly structure. First, it's tips are
at regular height intervals. From left to right,
the first tip is the second tallest, the next is
the shortest, the next is highest, and the last is
third tallest. If you were to draw four horizontal
lines at each tip, you would see that their
heights are equally spaced. Secondly, each tip
ends at the exact middle of the circular frame on
which its lower portion was based. The reason for
this is to symbolize the fact that, even in
seemingly chaotic systems, there is an order and a
Reason operating throughout.
The tips
of the flame also point either left or right.
There are two pointing left and an equal number
pointing right. This symbolizes the balanced but
opposing directions toward unity and division,
order and chaos, which maintains the complex
system that is the universe.
Behind the
Fire are rays. These point both inward and
outward, symbolizing the all pervasive nature of
Logos in the universe. Finally, a circular border
symbolizes the cyclical nature of the universe and
the Greek key pattern represents the culture from
which Stoicism was born.
Below are
some other versions of the logo, for use on a
white background, greyscale, or plain black &
white. Please feel free to use the Stoic Emblem in
reference to Stoicism. All I ask is that it not be
modified (apart from proportionate scaling). It
would also be nice if credit and/or a link was
provided. Groups and organizations are also free
to use this emblem, as long as they don't give the
impression that it is an emblem only for their
particular group and as long as they don't try to
copyright it (according to U.S. law, I hold the
copyright simply by creating it). If anyone would
like larger or higher-resolution versions of any
of these files, please contact me and I will be
happy to provide it.
DT Strain
dtstrain@yahoo.com
http://dtstrainphilosophyblog.blogspot.com/2005/05/stoic-emblem.html
|
