OBJECTS AS HISTORY/ 05.03.2020/ WEEK 9

• Different symbols focussing on people and not tools, showing religions is iconography. For eg, the cross and the third eye are iconographs.
• It is distinguishes caste, class and religion like the tika, bindi,etc. Tika and hats signify religions.
• The musical sound that. plays every time the bride walks down the alley- depicting a wedding is iconography
• Slavery- earlier slaves were put under a bond and given a seal to show that he is a labour

-What is the difference between an iconograph and an emblem?

An iconograph is used for depiction while an emblem is used for implication.

Logos: holy cows have painted horns to show which farm they belong to

After enough explanation, we were asked if we could think of an iconograph. I answered- snakes as I learnt that they represent evil. My faculty agreed and added that snakes are very interesting iconographs since it holds great significance-

• Signifies Christianity
• Signifies temptation: Tree of life story ( Adam & Eve)
• In hindu religion: signifies good luck/ more money/ Lord Shiva
• In Greek mythology: medusa ( anybody who looked at her turned into stones)
• Pop culture: Harry Potter- Nagina (signified evil)
• In Egyptian culture: Ouroboros and Caduceus
• Shivling: signifies creation

Further, we discussed Creation–

• Shivling
• Bing Bang Theory
• Mother Goddess- Venus
• Art- dot ( primary form of drawing)
• Jewish Star of David
• Moksh/ Nirvana- position of the feet
• In Jains- position of the palms

We also learnt that symbols are included in icons.

Reflection: In this class, I understood the difference between, iconographs, logos, signs, symbols and emblems. It was amusing how we were taught these things long ago but never told the difference. After I gave the example of snakes, we had an interesting class discussion.