Identifying with Symbols

While the noose is a "symbol" of death in most societies, in this case, it becomes even more specific than just death and takes on an entirely different meaning to some people. There are some symbols, particularly religious symbols, which can take on many meanings among different societies. For example, take the five-sided star or the pentagram. In some ancient societies it was merely viewed as a representation on the five universal elements: water, earth, fire, air, and divinity. It became worshiped in some pagans for various reasons, and it even became their “symbol”. Even throughout the history of Christianity, it has changed from a symbol of protection of witches and demons to a symbol of Satanism and into the very thing it protected its wearers against. This is shown through various artwork over the years where it was seen in heavenly and vibrant settings to a dark and demonic mood.

How we view symbols such as the pentagram and noose in pictures and artwork alike, clearly correlates with how it affects our life and our beliefs. But pictures are taken by people and their ideas are always going to be conveyed in the picture, even if it is very subtle. In this new light, sometimes the way someone will normally identify with the symbol can change, even drastically…just as an event like Jena can alter a person’s identity with a symbol for death to a specific event in history.