SYMBOLSOn your note sheet, write:

What you think the symbol is

Where it came from

What you think it means

PEACE SIGN! Originated in the 1960s for anti-war. First seen in the Western society (for

sure) after WW2 as a sign of victory for war.

Potentially used during the Hundred Year’s war, but this isn’t proven… yet.

THE OTHER PEACE SIGN We began using it in the late 1950s for

nuclear disarmament. They tried to invert the peace sign so it

looks joyous. Originally, It was the inverted cross, a

holy symbol in Christianity for the apostle Peter who was hung on the cross upside down.

Ironically, a group of anti-Christians use it to show everything opposite to Christianity… I wonder if they know they are using a very respected symbol to show opposition?

PENTACLE OR PENTAGRAM Later became a Christian symbol of

devil worship (though this meaning has also flip-flopped over the years too).

Originally, we are not 100% of its meaning because of the changing of use throughout the centuries.

It is one of the oldest symbols and common uses in the past were: symbolism of the body, the 5 elements, and deity worship.

SWASTIKA To Westerners of the

modern age, it is a symbol of hate, racism, and mass murder.

To Easterners and pre-modern Westerners, it is a symbol of love and power.

Buddhists also use it as a sign of life and power for the Buddha and the Dali Lama (in Tibet at least)

THE TRIDENT This is a tricky symbol whose use of the

centuries continue to change. Early uses were for worship of water

deities. It became a symbol of evil during Middle

Ages and a representation of the devil. Later uses vary on the society.

THE TRINITY It is a Celtic Symbol of religion. It stood for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit It may have origins with the Norse Gods

and Goddesses as well and their power over the ancient community, but that is still being explored.

CADUCEUS Modern symbol of medicine. Ancient Symbol of Hermes god of roads,

travelers, thieves, heraldry, and language.

Healing was technically Apollo’s job along with a few of Greek deities.

True symbol of healing to the Greeks, it is also used in modern times.

THE CROSS It has many meanings (and looks). It was the unity of the 4 directions,

symbol of the cross Jesus was put on, and also crossroads.

Over the years there has also been many variations of the cross.

Sun CrossEastern Christianity Patriarch Cross Iron Cross

THE HEART We see it as a symbol of love. It used to be a symbol of the soul. (as

early as 10,000 BCE) It was not until the early 1000s that love

became its meaning, but not for others… only for Christ.

It is rumored to also be the symbol for women and a woman’s anatomy… that has not been proven.

OTHER SYMBOLS YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN