ProfundaPazRAflower

http://zmyztickleonion.blogspot.com/2007/03/profundapazraflower.html


From One Spirit Doth RAdiant Petals Emanate Profunda Paz

=ProfoundPeaceSUNflower=The religions of this world MUST come to realize that they are all the same at the center, and that this "center of all things" has allowed each individual petal to come into existence to meet our need for individuation into that center. Thou shalt not kill, nor condemn others for not following your individuated choice BEEcause each individuated path ultiMATEly leads to the same center of Love Unconditional.
The background is APOD: 2003 May 24 - M74: The Perfect Spiral from Astronomy Picture of the Day http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Explanation: If not perfect, then this spiral galaxy is at least one of the most photogenic. An island universe of about 100 billion stars, 30 million light-years away toward the constellation Pisces, NGC 628 or M74 presents a gorgeous face-on view to earthbound astronomers. Classified as an Sc galaxy, the grand design of M74's graceful spiral arms traced by bright blue star clusters and dark cosmic dust lanes, is similar in many respects to our own home galaxy, the Milky Way. Recorded with a 28 million pixel detector array, this impressive image celebrated first light for the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS), a state-of-the-art instrument operational at the 8-meter Gemini North telescope. The Gemini North Observatory gazes into the skies above Mauna Kea, Hawaii, USA, while its twin observatory, Gemini South, operates from Cerro Pachón in central Chile.
The RAflower petals are from this poster,
"The Center of All Things" is from this known as the Helianthus whorl. Sea http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/fibslide/jbfibslide.htm for info on the relation to 'The Law of Nature OtherWise known as the Fibonacci numbers. Most of the religious symbols and their explaNations are from A Visual Glossary of Religious Symbols http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/blsymbols.htm, and are filled with the Center of the Helianthus whorl.
Taoist sumbol of the interplay of forces in the universe. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang represent the two primal cosmic forces in the universe. Yin (moon) is the receptive, passive, cold female force. Yang (sun) is masculine- force, movement, heat. The Yin Yang symbol represents the idealised balance of the forces; equalibrium in the universe. The Zia sun symbol from Zia pueblo in New Mexico. This image is an ancient Zia Pueblo sun symbol. "Zia" means sun, and is also the name of the symbol. Today it is the sole symbol on the flag of the State of New Mexico, but the symbol is very old- it is found on pottery, art, and other artifacts of the Zia Pueblo tribes of New Mexico. The number four is sacred to the Zia Indians, and this emblem embodies this number as the powers of nature- the sun, the four directions, seasons, and the ages of man.
The silhouette of a paleolithic Egyptian mother Goddess, probably a prototype of the Goddess Isis, and is often used to symbolize the "Lady," the feminine deity.
The curious image is most often referred to as the all seeing eye or "eye of providence." The eye, usually depicted in the sky looking out upon the earth, is an ancient symbol of the sun, and historically has been used as a symbol of omniscience. The idea of the solar eye comes to us from the egyptians, who equated the eye with the deity Osiris; the human eye in its ability to perceive light was viewed as a miniature sun. The use of the eye emblem to represent God was quite common in the Renaissance; often, the eye would be enclosed within a triangle representing the triune godhead. Such an emblem can be found in numerous examples of Christian art. This emblem was eventually adopted by Freemasons as a symbol for the Great Architect.
A version of this symbol, elaborate onto the capstone of a pyramid (perhaps in a nod the symbol's origins in Egypt) forms part of the Seal of the United States, accompanied by the slogan, Annuit Coeptis , "It (Providence) has favored our undertakings." The Cross is one of the oldest religious symbols of all time, from the prehistoric solar cross (an equal armed cross), to the Cross adapted from Pagan cults for Christian use after the council of Nicaea. Cross symbols are among the oldest on earth, and are found in every culture. Crosses are almost invariably symbols of the sun, the sky, and the passage of time, and are linked with most solar deities.
The ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol of life. Also known as an Ansata cross, it is a visual representation of a sandal strap.
The horizontal and vertical bars of the lower tau cross represent the feminine and masculine energy, respectively. This combination of male and female symbols (the cross and circle) in the ankh suggest fertility and creative power. The top loop also symbolises the sun on the horizon, and suggests reincarnation and rebirth. The ankh appears frequently in Egyptian writings about rebirth, and this symbolism was adopted by Coptic Christians, especially gnostic sects, to symbolize the resurrection of Christ and the heavenly marriage. The ankh was an earlier form of the cross than the later "latin" cross. The Ankh is also considered to have meaning in Ritual magick and in Wiccan/Neopagan traditions, as a symbol of immortality and completion.
The Celtic cross (Ionic cross) has it's roots in a pre-Christian variation of the Solar cross. Examples of the Celtic cross date back as far as 5000 years BCE. Its origins are not known, but it was known to be an early symbol of the sun god Taranis.
After the conversion of the Celtic people to Christianity, the Celtic Cross became an emblem of the Celtic Christian Church. Irish legend holds that the cross was introduced to Ireland by St. Columba, so it is sometimes referred to as Columba's cross, or the Ionic cross, after his monastery on the isle of Iona.
The emblem of the Jain religion, symbolizing its main tenet, the doctrine of Ahimsa, nonviolence. The wheel in the center of the palm is the wheel of Samsara; the word in the center of the wheel reads "stop." Together, they represent the halting of the cycle of reincarnation through the practice of Jain asceticism, the avoidance of harm to any living creature.
Horned serpent deities figure in the mythology of most Native American and Mesoamerican peoples. Most of these horned and/or feathered serpents are associated with rain and thunder, or waterways. Some, like the Cherokee horned serpent Utkena, or the Australian aborigine monster, bunyip, are malevolent beings or monsters who devour their enemies. Others, like the the Choktaw deity Sint holo, are givers of inspiration, promethian spirits who introduce agriculture, language, and other gifts of knowledge to mankind. The Tewa deity Avanyu is the feathered sky serpent of the Pueblos (Zuni, Kolowisi, and Hopi, Paluluka), a rain and lightning deity who is believed to have given birth to the waterways, and whose voice is thunder. Algonquin pictographs commonly depict a horned, feathered serpent known as Mishipizheu. Similar icons are scattered across North America. The best known feathered serpent of the New world is, of course, the Aztec Quetzalcoatl, (Mayan Kukulkan, Incan Urcaguey) who was exiled by the gods for his gifts of knowledge to the Aztec people. The horned serpent is not restricted to the Americas- some version of this creature can be found on every continent. There are literally hundreds of "cosmic serpents" peppered throughout world mythology, whose origin and meaning are never satisfactorily explained. There is the Celtic, ram-horned serpent associated with the forerunner to the biblical serpent was Ningiszida- in Sumerian texts, this horned serpent guarded the tree of life and the gateway to the underworld. Wadjet, the winged serpent of Egypt, protected the Pharoahs and controlled the waters of the Nile.
This emblem, commonly recognized as the symbol of the Islamic faith, has actually acquired its association to the faith by association, rather than intent. The star and crescent symbol itself is very ancient, dating back to early Sumerian civilization, where it was associated with the sun God and moon Goddess (one early appearance dates to 2100 BCE), and later, with Goddesses Tanit and even Diana. The symbol remained in near constant use, and was eventually adopted into the battle-standard of the Ottoman Dynasty, who are mainly responsible for its association with Islam. As the Dynasty was also the policitical head of the faith, it was inevitable that their symbol would be associated with Islam as well. It should be noted that there is no mention of such a symbol in the Koran, the Holy book of Islam, nor is there any relationship between the crescent and star and the Prophet (whose flag was black and white, inscribed "Nasr um min Allah," "with the help of Allah.")
Today, the star and crescent is widely accepted as a symbol of the Islamic faith, and is used in decorative arts, jewelry, and national flags- much like the cross in Christian countries. It is associated with the use of the moon to time festivals. It is, however, not accepted by all Muslims- many Muslims consider it un-Islamic and even blasphemous.
The Star of David is the primary modern emblem of the Jewish religion. How it came to be such is a matter of some debate. Legend has it that the emblem was used by the Biblical King David (hence the name 'Magen David,' or shield of David). In reality, it was not associated specifically with the faith until the middle ages, when it began to appear on flags, tombstones, and synagogue decorations. It is probably not coincidental that the symbol was important to the flourishing kabbalistic tradition of the same time period. Kabbalistically, the hexagram symbolizes the six directions of space, the divine union of male and female energy, and the four elements. The Star of David is also important in the Rastafarian and Messianic Christian religions.
The Cross of Lorraine consists of one vertical and two evenly spaced horizontal bars. It is a heraldic cross, used by the Dukes of Lorraine (previously known as the Dukes of Anjou). This cross is related to the Crusader's cross, the standard of Joan of Arc, and the six globes of the Medici family. The Lorraine cross was carried to the Crusades by the original Knights Templar, granted to them for their use by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Hermetic alchemists of the Renaissance used the emblem as a symbol of earth and spirit by combining the square earth cross with the cross of Christ. When drawn symmetrically, it symbolised the hermetic maxim, "As above, so below." The Lorraine Cross is used in Freemasonry as a degree symbol. In the Catholic Church, the equal-armed Lorraine Cross denotes the office of Cardinal. In 1940, the cross of Lorraine was adopted by Admiral d'Argenlieu (commander of the Free French Forces) as a symbol of the French Resistance, chosen as a symbol to stand against the Nazi Swastika. A very old form of this cross, a depiction of a shepherd's staff, was used in ancient Sumeria as an ideogram for rulership.
Adinkra (sometimes, andinkra) symbols are small, symbolic pictures used to decorate colorful patterned cloth by fabric designers in Ghana. Designs are made by cutting patterns into pieces of calabash gourd, then stamping them on fabric with black ink made from iron oxide. The fabric is created in varied colors and patterns, and used in funerals, weddings, and other special occasions. Adinkra cloth is not used for everyday purposes because it cannot be washed. The name Adinkra comes from the legendary King conquered by the Ashante people,who, according to legend, wore luxurious patterned fabrics. Adinkra means "goodbye," and the special cloth was reserved for funeral garments. Adinkra fabric is now used for a variety of special occasions, and there are dozens of adinkra symbols used to impart a variety of meanings to the finished cloth. Many symbolize virtues, folk tales and proverbs, animals, and even historical events, and most are very old, having been passed down through generations of craftsmen. This one is Kojo Baiden (rays) and means Cosmos, Omnipresence.
One of three symbols most important to the Baha'i faith is the nine pointed star, symbolizing completion.
The word Om (aum) derives from the Sanskrit. The Om is the primordial sound by which the earth was created- a similar concept to the Greek Logos. It symbolizes unfolding or expansion- when pronounced, it begins in the lungs, and ends on the lips. The symbol representing Om is called the omkar, and has four parts, representing the four states of human awareness: The ordinary waking, or material state; The state of deep sleep; The dream state; Absolute conscience, or the awakened state.
The Awen, or 'rays,' a glyph with three vertical lines or rays converging at the top: The Awen is a not genuine symbol of Druidry, but associated with several modern groups. Awen in the Celtic language means means "inspiration," or "essence," and refers to spiritual illumination. The three parts of the Awen symbol represent the harmony of opposites- the left and right rays symbolizing female and male energy; the center bar their harmonious balance.
Kokopelli is an ancient character- a hunchbacked, dancing fluteplayer whose oldest manifestation is found on on prehistoric American rock carvings. The origins of the figure are a mystery, and he figures in many Native American stories, where his age and role vary. He is generally believed to have been a fertility symbol, often depicted as a phallic character, carrying a pouch of seeds, or wearing antlers. Kokopelli symbols often appear in the context of rain, pregnancy, prosperity, and marriage. Kokopelli is a Hopi word meaning (roughly) wooden-backed; most of the familiar depictions of Kokopelli are copied from Hopi art, which in turn is derived from ancient Anasazi glyphs.
The Celtic Ogham alphabet dates from the fourth century. The alphabet is named for Ogmos, the Celtic god of knowledge and communication. Ogmos was associated with the Gaulish Ogmios and the Greek Hermes. The ogham alphabet has twenty letters, each named for a different tree sacred to the Celtic Druids. Each letter is made up of one to five straight or angled lines incised on a straight base line. Because the number of letters, and the number of lines that make up each letter, some scholars have theorized that the ogham may have originated as a system of hand signs. Examples of Ogham writing have been found all over the British Isles, and even as far away as Spain and Portugal. All surviving examples exist as stone carvings, usually on tombstones and road markers. Although it is commonly used by modern Druids and other NeoPagans as a divination system, there is no real relationship between modern and historical divination systems. When used as a divination method, the letters are usually notched into straight twigs and used much like runes. Pronunciation: Oh-yam • (noun)
The menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith. The seven branched candelabra probably originated as a version of the Babylonian world tree. The number seven is a repeating sacred motif in Judaism's parent religion; the seven arms likely represented the seven days of creation and the seven visible planets. Curiously, the name given to the central light is "Shamash," the name of the Babylonian Sun God, who is related to a similar ancient symbol. The Menorah was the most important ritual object in the Temple of Jerusalem until it was stolen by the Romans in the sack of the Temple in 70 AD. According to tradition, during the rededication of the temple in the second century BCE after a Greek invasion and desecration, the lamps of the menorah burned for eight days on one day's worth of oil. This is the origin of the nine branched menorah, or Hanukiyah, with one branch for each of the eight days, plus one central light used to light the others during the Hannukah festival.
The Knights Templar were a religious-chivalric order that became extremely influential in France until their eventual suppression under the leadership of the French monarchy, with the cooperation of the Christian ecclesiastical establishment, at the beginning of the fourteenth century. Various excuses were invented for the violent destruction of the Templars, and while the genuine reasons for the suppression may never be fully known, it is likely that it was due in part to the French monarchy's desire to gain access to the Templar's vast financial and land resources throughout Europe and the near east. However, the Templars are known to have had close associations with the Cathari, the quasi-Gnostic religious group of Central Europe and southern France that had been suppressed in the bloody "Albigensian Crusade" of the thirteenth century (the Cathari Martyrs are venerated as the chief patrons of the AGCA). Thus, our use of the Templar cross pays homage to those people throughout history who have sought liberation from the imprisonment of ecclesiastical domination of all sorts. This symbol and explaNation derived from http://www.gnostic-church.org/vicarflag.htm
The Fleur de Lis, also known as the "Lily of France," has one of the most controversial histories of any symbol. Standard heraldic histories claim it originated in the tenth century as a symbol of sovereignity, and was later adopted as the emblem of French King Louis the VII. It is believed to take the shape of a lily or Iris, and to symbolize Mary and the Holy Trinity. In truth, the symbol is found much further back in history- as far back as Assyrian ornamental design. It is also seen on Greek, Roman, and Celtic coinage. In France, it's use may date back to Merovingian King Clovis, who reportedly wore an Iris flower in his helmet as he rode to victory in battle. The symbol in Christian Europe is strongly linked to Mary, as the lily was a symbol of her purity. Some trace the symbol as an emblem of a secret family line, a symbol of the blood of Christ carried by Merovingian Kings.
A Rastafarian version of the Star of David.
This symbol, called the vesica pisces (piscis) or "Jesus fish," has an unusual history. Used almost exclusively today to denote membership in the Christian religion, the symbol once held a very different meaning (even to the early Christians who adopted it). The words usually found inscribed within, ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthus), is Greek, meaning fish. The emblem became significant to Christians after St. Augustine, who extracted the word from the acrostic prophecy* of the Erythraean Sibyl, and applied the kabbalistic technique of notarikon to the word to reveal "Jesus Christ, God's son, savior." The custom of early Christians to communicate by drawing a portion in the dust was carried over from the practice of the ancient Pythagoreans, who discovered the shape's unique properties and made it an important part of their teachings. In Pagan times, this glyph was associated with the Goddess Venus, and represented female genitalia. Early depictions of Christ depict him as an infant within the vesica (usually called a mandorla, meaning 'almond shaped.'), which represented the womb of Mary (and often, the coming together of heaven and earth in the body of jesus- part man, part god). As such, it is also a doorway or portal between worlds, and symbolizes the intersection between the heaven and the material plane. The shape of arches in gothic architecture is based on the vesica. The shape of the vesica pisces is derived from the intersection of two circles, the Pythagorean "measure of the fish" that was a mystical symbol of the intersection of the world of the divine with the world of matter and the beginning of creation. To the Pythagoreans, the whole of creation was based on number, and by studying the properties of number, they believed one could achieve spiritual liberation. The vesica pisces was the symbol of the first manifestation, the dyad (reflection) that gives birth to the entire manifest universe. Within the vesica can be found the triangle, the tetrad, the square, the pentacle, and many more polygons, making the vesica a true symbolic womb. Curiously, the New Testament story of the loaves and fishes secretly reveals the geometric formula for the fish shaped device, as does the story of the miraculous catch: "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. (John 21:11) " This is little remarked upon by Bible scholars and usually ignored by Christian bible interpreters.
Designed to resemble the eye of a falcon, this symbol is called the Eye of Ra or Eye of Horus represents the right eye of the Egyptian Falcon God Horus. As the udjat (or utchat), it represented the sun, and was associated with the Sun God Ra (Re). The mirror image, or left eye, represented the moon, and the God Tehuti (Thoth). (A very similar concept of the sun and moon as eyes appears in many religious traditions)According to legend, the left eye was torn from Horus by his murderous brother Seth, and magically restored by Thoth, the God of magick. After the restoration, some stories state, Horus made a gift of the eye to Osiris, which allowed this solar deity to rule the underworld. The story of this injury is probably an allusion to the phases of the moon as the eye which is "torn out" every month. Together, the eyes represent the whole of the universe, a concept similar to that of the Taoist Yin-yang symbol. Spiritually, the right eye reflects solar, masculine energy, as well as reason and mathematics. The left eye reflects fluid, feminine, lunar energy, and rules intuition and magick. Together, they represent the combined, transcendent power of Horus. The Eye of Horus was believed to have healing and protective power, and it was used as a protective amulet, and as a medical measuring device, using the mathematical proportions of the eye to determine the proportions of ingredients in medical preparations) to prepare medications. The Masonic all seeing eye, the Eye of Providence symbol found on American money, and our modern Rx pharmaceutical symbol are all descended from the Eye of Horus.
The pentacle, a pentagram within a circle, is the most recognizable symbol of Wicca. The pentacle represents the integration of body and spirit, and the spiritual mastery of the four elements.
Another version of the star and cresent of Islam.
This is a stylized representation of the Horned God, who in Wicca represents the masculine polarity of the universe. The horned god is the archetypal horned Shaman, related to the ancient Gods of vegetation and the hunt: the Greek Pan, the Celtic Cernunnos, and the Egyptian Ammon. This symbol is sometimes referred to as the "horn moon".
Humanity has always had a close relationship with bees, whose honey has have been a food staple since before the dawn of civilization. As a symbol, the bees' lifestyle mimics that of the human social order- a cooperative, productive social hierarchy. In fact, beekeeping is one of the earliest markers of civilized society- bees provided many of the necessities of advancement, providing not only food, but wax for metalworking, cosmetics, and medicines, as well as the ever-important pollinization of fruit trees and other food crops. The cultivation of honey was a sacred charge often imbued with ritual symbolism and associated with the mother goddess, whose nurturing protection of mankind was symbolized by the the abundance of honey provided to bee society under the reign of the queen bee. As it was widely believed that bees were born spontaneously, they were widely viewed as symbols of chastity and purity. The Bee's never-flagging labors made them an emblem of hard work, industriousness, teamwork, perseverence, charity, selflessness, and constancy. These virtues are recalled in many heraldic emblems and personal seals, as well as in the emblems of Freemasonry, the Church of Latter-Day Saints, and in countless trademarks. Observances of the annual hibernation of the hives also resulted in the belief that they died and were reborn annually, and this, along with their coloring, made them a natural solar symbol- and later, an emblem of Christ in to Christian believers. Greek follwers of the goddess Demeter believed her priestesses would be reincarnated as bees; the priestesses of the Ephesian Diana wre called melissae-bees.
The triquetra (often, triqueta) is a tripartate symbol composed of three interlocked vesica pisces, marking the intersection of three circles. It is most commonly a symbol of the Holy Trinity (Father, son, Holy spirit) used by the Celtic Christian Church, sometimes stylized as three interlaced fish. The triqueta symbol predates Christianity and was likely a Celtic symbol of the Goddess, and in the North, a symbol of the god Odin. Although it is often asserted that the triquetra is a symbol of a tripartite goddess, no such goddess has been identified with the symbol. Similar symbols do occur in some Norse and Celtic goddess imagery, but most likely represents the divisions of the animal kingdom and the three domains of earth mentioned above. Triplicities were common symbols in Celtic myth and legend, one of the possible reasons Christian beliefs were so easily adopted by the Celtic people. The triqueta makes an ideal Christian symbol. It is a perfect representation of the concept of "three in one" in Christian trinity beliefs, and incorporates another popular Christian symbol, the fish, in its original form of the vesica pisces. It is sometimes enclosed within a circle to emphasize the unity aspect. In Wiccan and Neopagan belief, the triqueta symbolizes the triple aspected goddess (maid, mother, and crone). Some Christians have protested this "appropriation" of the symbol...however, ironically enough, the original Christian fish symbol was derived from an early symbol of venus, one representing female generative organs- making the triquetra perfectly appropriate symbol for a Goddess revival. The triquetra is also considered to represnt the triplicities of mind, body, and soul, as well as the three domains of earth according to Celtic legend- earth, sea, and sky. The triquetra also appears on the television series Charmed, probably as a less threatening alternative to the pentacle (the preferred emblem of witches real and imaginary). In the show, it represents the "power of three, acting as one " which in turn represents the three sisters. Evangelical tract writers and conspiracy theorists like to label the triquetra a 'satanic' symbol, claiming it is a 'stylized' 666, an allusion to the 'number of the beast' in the Book of Revelation. This, however, is simply wishful thinking. The triquetra of interlaced fishes is one of the very earliest of Christian symbols, predating the crucifix by hundreds of years. The purported 'satanic' meaning of the symbol is a modern evangelical interpolation.
This symbol is ubiquitous on Buddhist and Shinto temples all over Japan. Its name is tomoe, meaning turning or circular, referring to the motion of the earth. The tomoe is related to the yin yang symbol, and has a similar meaning, representing the play of forces in the cosmos. Visually, the tomoe is made up of interlocked flames resembling tadpoles. The most common tomoe emblem has three flames (triple, or 'mitsu' tomoe), but one, two, or four are not uncommon. A mitsu (triple) Tomoe reflects the threefold division of Shinto cosmology, and is said to represent the earth, the heavens, and humankind. It is often associated with the Shinto war deity Hachiman. A tomoe-mon is a tomoe used as a kamon, or family crest, a device similar to a coat of arms. Pronunciation: toh-moh-ay
The mathematical symbol for infinity is called the lemniscate. The infinity sign was devised in 1655 by mathemetician John Wallis, and named lemniscus (latin, ribbon) by mathemetician Bernoulli about forty years later. The lemniscate is patterned after the device known as a mobius (named after a nineteenth century mathemetician Mobius) strip. A mobius strip is a strip of paper which is twisted and attached at the ends, forming an 'endless' two dimensional surface. The religious aspect of the infinity symbol predates its mathematical origins. Similar symbols have been found in Tibetan rock carvings; and the ouroboros, or infinitysnake, is often depicted in this shape. In the tarot, it represents the balance of forces and is often associated with the magician card.
The Greek mathemetician Pythagoras is credited with the discovery of the Golden Rectangle. The Golden Rectangle is built on the "golden ratio" or "golden proportion," which is determined by the irrational number known as Phi. (Symbolized by its namesake, the Greek letter phi. To put it simply, a golden rectangle is a rectangle divided in such a way as to create a square and a smaller rectangle that retains the same proportions as the original rectangle. To do this, one must create a rectangle based on the golden ratio. To find the Golden Ratio, one must divide a line so that the ratio of the line to the larger segment is equal to the ratio of the larger segment to the smaller: A is to B as B is to C To get a golden rectangle, you simply turn the larger segment of the line into a square: If you add a square to the long side of the "golden rectangle," you'll get a larger golden rectangle. If you continue to add squares in this way, you'll see the basis for nature's logarithmic spiral patterns. The golden proportion appears in numerous places in nature and in art and architecture. It forms the basis for Leonardo Da Vinci's "Divine Proportion," the ideal illustrated in his drawing Vitruvian Man. The face of the Parthenon in Athens is a perfect golden rectangle. The shell of the nautilus is a famous example of a spiral based on the golden mean, as is the spiral of the human DNA molecule. Sea http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fibnat.html#spiral for the relation to the Fibonacci Rectangles and Shell Spirals.
The peace sign is not a religious symbol, but is included here as it is so often misinterpreted as a such. It is a common conceit in some evangelical Christian circles to refer to the symbol as anti-christian, and they refer to it as a 'broken cross' or 'Nero's cross,' referring back to the story of the upside-down crucifixion, supposedly at the hands of Emperor Nero. Thus, it is supposed to be a Satanic emblem- somehow, Satanists at the beginning of Christianity are supposed to have adopted the emblem of a Saint to somehow signify the defeat of Chriastianity. it makes no sense, but little in these convoluted conspiracy theories ever does. (It is also fashionable to compare the symbol to the letter algiz in the Norse runic alphabet, and thus extract a further connection to the Nazi and Neonazi groups who use such symbolism. To make it work, they have to take the runic letter algiz, call it 'life' when in fact it means 'elk,' and then flip it over and call it 'death'. Make sense?) The truth, as usual, is much more interesting, if less dramatic. The creator of the peace sign is Gerald Holtom, a leader in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Holtom, a Christian, originally used a Christian cross in his design, an idea that was rejected by religious leaders. He relates that he settled on the final design, a combination of the semaphore letters ND (for Nuclear Disarmament) as an emblem of the despair that he felt, a representation of a gesture of pleading: "I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya’s peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it." The design was a poular success, and almost transcended its original intent, first adopted by the American Civil rights movement, then the anti-war movement, eventually becoming the ubiquitous emblem of peace. Last Knight-05312007-i found this Sister image. World Goddesses Mandala Wall Hanging-Images of 12 Goddesses from many spiritual traditions and countries. Goddesses Represented Include: Inanna, Nile, Lilith, Una, Peruvian, Aku'aba, Goddess of Kostienki, Changing Woman, Rhiannon, Pele, Tara, and Quan Yin. (sea http://www.goddessgift.net/images/Flag%20WorldGoddessMandalaBan.jpg)