Emblem
An emblem is an abstract or representational pictorial image that represents a concept, like a moral truth, or an allegory, or a person, like a monarch or saint.[1]
Emblems vs. symbols
Although the words emblem and symbol are often used interchangeably, an emblem is a pattern that is used to represent an idea or an individual. An emblem develops in concrete, visual terms some abstraction: a deity, a tribe or nation, or a virtue or vice.[clarification needed]
An emblem may be worn or otherwise used as an identifying
A symbol, on the other hand, substitutes one thing for another, in a more concrete fashion:[1]
- The Christian cross is a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus; it is an emblem of sacrifice.
- The Red Cross is one of three symbols representing the International Red Cross.[2] A red cross on a white background is the emblem of humanitarian spirit.
- The crescent shape is a symbol of the moon; it is an emblem of Islam.
- The skull is an emblem of the transitory nature of human life.
Other terminology
A
An icon consists of an image (originally a religious image), that has become standardized by convention. A logo is an impersonal, secular icon, usually of a corporate entity.
Emblems in history
Since the 15th century, the terms of emblem (emblema; from Greek: ἔμβλημα, meaning "embossed ornament") and emblematura belong to the termini technici of architecture. They mean an iconic painted, drawn, or sculptural representation of a concept affixed to houses and belong—like the inscriptions—to the architectural ornaments (ornamenta). Since the publication of
Evidence of the use of emblems in pre-Columbian America has also been found, such as those used in Mayan city states, kingdoms, and even empires such as the Aztec or Inca. The use of these in the American context does not differ much from the contexts of other regions of the world, being even the equivalent of the coats of arms of their respective territorial entities.[5]
The 1531 publication in Augsburg of the first emblem book, the Emblemata of the Italian jurist Andrea Alciato launched a fascination with emblems that lasted two centuries and touched most of the countries of western Europe.[6] "Emblem" in this sense refers to a didactic or moralizing combination of picture and text intended to draw the reader into a self-reflective examination of their own life. Complicated associations of emblems could transmit information to the culturally-informed viewer, a characteristic of the 16th-century artistic movement called Mannerism.
A popular collection of emblems, which ran to many editions, was presented by Francis Quarles in 1635. Each of the emblems consisted of a paraphrase from a passage of Scripture, expressed in ornate and metaphorical language, followed by passages from the Christian Fathers, and concluding with an epigram of four lines. These were accompanied by an emblem that presented the symbols displayed in the accompanying passage.
Emblems in speech
Emblems are certain gestures which have a specific meaning attached to them. These meanings are usually associated with the culture they are established in. Using emblems creates a way for humans to communicate with one another in a non-verbal way. An individual waving their hand at a friend, for example, would communicate "hello" without having to verbally say anything.[7]
Emblems vs. sign language
Although sign language uses hand gestures to communicate words in a non-verbal way, it should not be confused with emblems. Sign language contains linguistic properties, similar to those used in verbal languages, and is used to communicate entire conversations.[8] Linguistic properties are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adverbs, adjectives, etc..[9] In contrast with sign language, emblems are a non-linguistic form of communication. Emblems are single gestures which are meant to get a short non-verbal message to another individual.
Emblems in culture
Emblems are associated with the culture they are established in and are subjective to that culture. For example, the sign made by forming a circle with the thumb and forefinger is used in America to communicate "OK" in a non-verbal way, in Japan to mean "money", and in some southern European countries to mean something sexual.[10] Furthermore, the thumbs up sign in America means "good job ", but in some parts of the Middle East the thumbs up sign means something highly offensive.[11]
See also
- Coat of arms
- Crest
- Emblem book
- Logo
- Meme
- Mission patch
- National emblem
- Saint symbology
- Seal (emblem)
- Symbol
- Badge
- Icon
References
Drysdall, Denis (2005). "Claude Mignault of Dijon: "Theoretical Writings on the Emblem: a Critical Edition, with apparatus and notes (1577)". Retrieved 2009-05-29.
Further reading
- Emblematica Online. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Libraries. 1,388 facsimiles of emblem books.
- Moseley, Charles, A Century of Emblems: An Introduction to the Renaissance Emblem (Aldershot: Scolar Press, 1989)
Notes
- ^ ISBN 0-19-861186-2. Archived from the originalon February 23, 2007.
- ^ "The History of the Emblems". International Committee of the Red Cross. 2006-03-14. Archived from the original on 3 Aug 2012. Retrieved 2009-05-29. History of the emblems of the International Red Cross: An account of this organisation's need to adopt an emblem to represent itself, and the factors which led to it eventually adopting a second (the red crescent) and third (the red crystal).
- ^ "skull and crossbones". Macmillan Dictionary. Macmillan Publishers. 2009. Archived from the original on Oct 8, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-29. macmillandictionary.com entry for "skull and crossbones"
- ^ Piperno, Roberto. Rosamie Moore (ed.). "Obelisks of Rome". Retrieved 2009-05-29. [dead link] Historical information, a map, photographs, and descriptions of Egyptian obelisks in Rome.
- ISSN 0254-8062.
- ^ Barker, William; Mark Feltham; Jean Guthrie (1995-10-26). "Alciato's Book of Emblems: The Memorial Web Edition in Latin and English". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Archived from the original on Jan 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-29. This page states that "Andrea Alciato's [Emblemata] had enormous influence and popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries".
- ISBN 9780205525003. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
- PMID 19397900.
- PMID 26831113. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ISBN 9781107602977. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ^ "What Hand Gestures Mean In Different Countries". Busuu. Archived from the original on Sep 9, 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
External links
- Camerarius, Joachim (1605) Symbolorum & emblematum Archived 2020-07-31 at the Wayback Machine - digital facsimile of book of emblems, from the website of the Linda Hall Library