Sign of goodness in different cultures. Selected examples

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

There are a large number of cultures and beliefs that existed before and are emerging now, and therefore there are plenty of various signs and symbols that can play both a positive and a negative role for every taste and color.

It's funny that we wear different signs on ourselves, sometimes without even knowing it. And it's not about damage or deliberate action, no. It's just that all the letters, stripes, inscriptions that manufacturers put on clothes are not very often subjected to preliminary analysis. And it is possible that if you enter a church, somewhere on your trousers or shirt there will be a satanic sign.

In general, symbols can be divided into three categories: those that bring good (success, we alth, hope, strength, fortitude, determination, etc.), personify evil (signs of demons, the devil in different cultures) and unite both sides.

Open hand (hamsa)

This sign of goodness has long been revered by many religions. Jews, Arabs, Phoenicians, even ancient Christians endowed him with powers that protect him from the evil eye and corruption. In India, there is even a tradition to draw an open palm on the house of the newlyweds as a sign of kindness andhappiness for a new family.

Cat in Egyptian cult

For the ancient Egyptians, the cat was an animal bearing sacred goodness. A vivid mention of this remained in the form of the image of Bastet (a woman with a cat's head), who was the goddess of the sun, protecting pregnant women and children and personifying beauty, dexterity, grace and affection. For harming any cat in ancient Egypt, they were punished by execution, but in general, this animal was treated like a family member and even embalmed after death to be buried in a separate sarcophagus.

Wolf

Continuing the topic related to the animal world, one can judge the ambiguity of the use of the wolf as a symbol. In some cultures, he was the personification of evil, deceit and cruelty, in others (as a sign of goodness) he symbolized courage and victory, courage and heroism. Among the Egyptians, he was the personification of military prowess. For the same Romans, the wolf was an animal symbol of the god Mars.

Lotus in ancient myths and legends

A symbol of time, as it simultaneously has seeds, flowers and unblown buds (past, present, future). The lotus is also the personification of the sun, because at sunrise, having passed through the water column, it blooms, and at sunset it closes the petals again and goes under water to the muddy bottom, where it was born and sprouted. The flower is also a symbol of life, because, once in infertile soil, its seeds can lie for 150 years in anticipation of better conditions. Lotus is one of the eight good signs thatlisted in Chinese Buddhism. It is a symbol of the Buddha himself. Prosperity, determination, family harmony, firmness, honesty - this is just a short list of mystical properties associated with this beautiful and unusual flower.

Yin-yang

Who hasn't heard of this sign? This is probably the most popular sign of good and evil in all of Chinese culture. This symbol perfectly shows the dualism of the Universe and emphasizes that both good and evil are vibrations of the same field. Two parts, white and black, are opposites that constantly interact, pass into each other and cannot exist separately. There are always two opposite and inseparable sides.

Ankh

This is the Egyptian sign of goodness, life, fertility, reincarnation. Do not confuse it with the cross, which is characteristic of Christianity, because the god Ra was worshiped in a completely different way. According to the writings of the ancient Egyptians, Ra despised virginity and was the god of fertility, life, and therefore the offerings looked accordingly (orgies). Yes, mass orgies in worship of God. Say, debauchery? You can bet.

Sign of good until recently

A symbol that has been used since ancient times even in everyday life (it was painted on plates, vases, houses, weapons), denoting movement, a sign symbolizing the sun, life, light and well-being, acquired a negative color in the second half of the twentieth century. Yes, we are talking about the swastika. This sign of goodness, the photo of which should be presented in the form in whichwhich the German Nazis used it, not very well, it has other forms. This symbol exists in the form of three-, five- and six-pointed stars with smoothly curved ends.

It would be useful to present such an image as a sign of goodness. We hope that this article will help you navigate the world of symbols.