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With
line, triangle, square, arc and circle we speak a language whose
vocabulary is sign and symbol.
That is our craft.
This
library has been designed by a Catholic memorial designer for fellow
artists, drafters and designers. Although each definition is correct
and true, each symbol is discussed in a casual manner intended for
persons employing the symbol in their work.
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What is this monument saying to us?
Start
directly at the center. |
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There
is a difference between a sign and a symbol. Signs depict
physical objects, sensations, locations and circumstances. They are
recognized - you must have first been exposed to the depiction or the
sign has no meaning. Familiar signs are the Star, depicting a fiery
sun off in space. A traffic light, stop and go. A yellow
triangle with a lightning bolt, electrical hazard. 911, the end
of continental isolation.
Symbols
are recognizable innate objects depicting mysteries - symbols
require explanation simply because they depict the unexplainable.
They are found in the continence of dreams, linger in meditation, are
always geometric, and express the inexpressible and unexplained. They
do not describe, explain, or resolve mysteries, they express only the
transcendental reality of such phenomena. Symbols change with time,
culture and personal experience. It is not the underlying mystery
that changes or even the symbol itself. Those who employ the symbols
find the mysteries in other places. As an example the people of
Greece once made thunderous noise, held up candles and worshiped
their god of Zeus with his thunderous lighting bolts. Today,
folks hold up candles and rock to the thunderous sounds of the rock
star. It's the same mystery, the super man with a different, modern
symbol/image. The cube - often drawn as 4 sides having six equal
surfaces, 8 points and 12 joints (lines.) The TaiChi (Yin-Yang) - the
depiction of many worlds which can be experienced from only one
aspect (usually male or female.) Circles, lines and arcs are all the
objects which fill our heads all the time. As the human mind
approaches mysteries these objects modulate to form apparently (innate)
familiar symbols to represent each mystery. Articulation of a
symbol is required. Until you are told that the circle is a
symbol of God, it is unfathomable as such. Still it is the
image which pops up when the concept of God shows itself in dreams,
conversations, meditations and fine art.