From: Steven Shamlian (sshamlia@andrew.cmu.edu)
Date: Sun Jun 15 2003 - 18:50:06 EDT
> How is it used? What does it really mean? Can you show us samples of it in
> use in text of various kinds?
The Armenian Eternity symbol is a modernization of an ancient Armenian
petroglyph symbol (can be seen in context here at
http://www.willmaster.com/aviator/M2M/mariam%20hakobyan%20-%20armenia/1.jpg
on the back of the bird fighting the serpent, a symbol of the eternal
struggle between good over evil) which literally represents the concept of
eternity. Eternity is an important concept to a race of people which has
found itself threatened throughout recorded history by invadors like the
Romans, Persians, Ottomans, etc. The symbol is no longer used as a
shorthand for the word "eternity" in modern-day texts. However, it is a
stylistic element in heavy use where other text is concerned. To quote
http://www.oneworld.am/armenia/culture/pagan_003.htm, "Perhaps the most
common Pre-Christian symbol still in use today, is the round, whirling
symbol of eternity. In Armenia it is found everywhere, in architecture; on
doors, walls and on tombstones. It can also be found as part of various
logotypes including the Dashnaktsutyun Party." The symbol is also used as
a dingbat in magazines and other contemporary publications. I hope that
this has made the use of the symbol more clear.
--Steven Shamlian
Carnegie Mellon University
Examples:
* In a logotype: Armenian Youth Federation Olympics 2002 logo:
http://www.ayf.org/sections/olympics/olympics_images/olympics2002_logo.gif
* As a dingbat on the web: http://www.cilicia.com/
I can supply other examples upon request.
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