totempoles

BABY (BABIES)

　

　

A baby is the symbolism of purity, innocence, life and the future. In the days of ancient Greece "Baby New Year" originated to celebrate the rebirth of the god Dionysus, a baby was carried throughout crowds of people celebrating Dionysus as the spirit of fertility. The Romans had the same god but known as Bacchus and this was famously portrayed in the painting by Guido Reni (1623), the rebirth of Bacchus as a wine drinking baby.

Baby New Tear takes over from Father Time at the end of the year, to begin a new life, an act of God bearing fruitfulness, a miracle. This can also be summed up with reference to the flower Baby's Breath - pure heart, innocence and the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Links
www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm#babysbreath

www.mahalo.com/baby-new-year/

GRIFFON - GRYPHON

　

　

The Griffon is represented in picture with a head and wings of an eagle and body of a lion. This mythical creature is also represented as showing wisdom and power but also shows strength, as in war. The symbol of the Griffon has been adopted by countries, armies and for the display on many coats of arms.

India is the origin of the Griffon and in the mythology of the Griffon, it is said that they sought gold and treasures to protect and keep any would be thieves away. Miton sums it up best with a description from Griffons, Paradise Lost, Book II :
　

"As when a Gryphon through the wilderness,

With winged course, o'er hill and moorydale,

Pursues the Arimaspian who by stealth

Hath from his wakeful custody purloined

His guarded gold"

Links www.gods-and-monsters.com/mythology-griffon:html

www.online-mythology.com/griffon_gryphon/

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

　

　

The Knights Templar was founded in Jerusalem in the year 1118, their name was taken from their place of residence which was situated on the site of Solomon's Temple, therefore history has known them as the Knights of the Temple or Templars. This order was not officially confirmed until the year of 1128 and was placed under the rule and dictations of St Bernard, a monk of the cistertian order.

Knights Templar recieved their white tunic (mantel) as a symbolism of purity of their life and the red Templar cross was not added until 1146. The Knights were known as and represented as the Knights of Christ and their values and ideals were very Christian. Today the Knights Templar are still very strong in today's modern world and still attempt to live up to a just and moral ideal, ethnics and Christian values. The maintenance of this order is chivalric, hospitable, tolerance, traditional and maintained in a universal manner.

The order past and present is global and its members have and do include nobility, business leaders, royalty and military officers. Motto of the Knights Templar :
　

Non nobis, Domine, non nobis sed Nomini

Tuo da gloriam.

(Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to your name give the glory.)

Links http://www.templars.org.uk/index-old.html

WOLVES

　

　

Wolves have dwelled alongside mankind for centuries and are classed as one of the many villains within the animal kingdom. Though the wolf (canis lupus) has rarely attacked humans, it has been giving a bad press throughout history of reported attacks on children and adults alike and has been misrepresented in fairy tales as evil and bad, "Little Red Riding Hood" to name one.

The howling of a wolf is a spine chilling sound, but there is a purpose in their howling and that is communication. A lone wolf will howl to draw attention to his pack and many howls communicate territorial messages from one pack to another. A wolf pack has an established heirarchy within the pack, a strong, virile male at the top and his mate not far behind, these two are the only ones to breed in this pack. The symbol of the wolf represents strength and power.
　

The Wolf Shall Rise Again

As the full moon falls over the sky the wolf

shall howl as a symbol it is there.

When mankind enters at him he shall stare.

As loyal as the dog yet still so wild.

As the sun falls over the horizon, the wolf shall

rise again.

Carley L (aged 11)

　

　

　links www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/wolf.html
www.wolfcounty.net/information/myth_stories/wolf_rise
http://www.wolveswolveswolves.org/MythAndLies.html

ANGEL OF DEATH

　

　

The Angel of Death is the fear of the unknown, man's feelings towards death. Also known as the Grim Reaper, there is a image of death and what it represents. Satan is also associated with the Angel of Death and this association has been around for thousands of years, it is has been said that when Eve touched the tree of knowledge she sighted the Angel of Death. There are many references towards angelic images and names throughout the bible, on God's decree the angels were granted limited powers.
In different cultures and relgions, the Angel of Death has many representations. Babylon has Mot, while Judea - Christian has the names we know commomly - Michael, Gabriel, Sammael and Sariel but in Islam theology the Angel of Death Azrael is forever erasing what he writes, the birth of a man is writen and when death has come his name is erased.

It is in the bible, that references to the Angel of Death have been completely absolved in the ending of life on earth. This is shown, when the angel of the Lord stands between heaven and earth yielding a drawn sword in his hand in Chronicles, Book 1 21:16

"David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth with a drawn sword in his hand extending of Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell face down."
Samuel, Book 2 24:16

"When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, 'Enough! Withdraw your hand....' "

links http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/angel-of-death-faq.htm   

UNION JACK - UNION FLAG

　

　

The Union Jack is the representation and a symbol of unity and diversity. King James created the Union Flag in 1606, this was due to his inheritance of the English throne while still being king James VI of Scotland. This union of the two countries symbolised a new beginning, so a new flag was born but the flag we know today was not made represented until 1801, when Ireland was represented also on the flag. It was 1908, that saw the official name of the "Union Jack" becoming recognised by parliament and known as the national flag.

A union of nations is what is achieved by the amalgamation of England, Scotland and Ireland (now as Northern Ireland) and the purpose was not to isolate but to create a powerful union that was not insular in habit or mentality. The aim was to recognise, respect national values that would create an effective union. Thus the flag was to symbolise regard for individuality closely tied to communities.

Each flag within the Union Jack is a representation of the patron saint and symbol of that country :

St George's cross - England
St Andrew - Scotland
St Patrick - Ireland

www.know-britain.com/general/union_jack.html