The big H
I’m thinking about symbols and need some ideas. The question is fairly simple.
There are a number of extremely complete iconic symbols representing religions out there.
- The cross = Christianity…
- with the crucifix signifying something primarily Catholic.
- The Star of David = Judaism.
- The pentagram = Wicca/neo-paganism.
- Etc.
So, what symbol is the equivalent for humanism?
I have some ideas of my own, but I want to hear what others think, as well. (The image shown here is not what I’m after, although several variations on it seem to be official logos for various humanist organizations around the world, like the International Humanist and Ethical Union.)
Thanks for your help.
:xpost:
lullaby pit 
Frankly, it looks like he has his hands up.
~M~
Frankly, it looks like he has his hands up.
~M~
Yeah. “Please don’t shoot me” isn’t the message I’m after here.
Yeah. “Please don’t shoot me” isn’t the message I’m after here.
“Please don’t shoot me”
I kind of figured that, even if it is appropriate [just reading about mass graves on Cyprus].
Sorry I don’t anything more constructive to offer. My logo ideas are all self oriented right now, what with my ‘cult’ and all.
~M~
“Please don’t shoot me”
I kind of figured that, even if it is appropriate [just reading about mass graves on Cyprus].
Sorry I don’t anything more constructive to offer. My logo ideas are all self oriented right now, what with my ‘cult’ and all.
~M~
Re: "Please don't shoot me"
Hmmm. Your cult doesn’t involve space ships or Flavor-Ade, does it?
Re: "Please don't shoot me"
Hmmm. Your cult doesn’t involve space ships or Flavor-Ade, does it?
Humanist
I like the idea of a human silhouette, but perhaps something with their hands held outward, rather than upward, signifying help, cooperation, and unification.
Completely off topic–is that icon of yours from “The Matrix Online”? I was totally thinking of it as such. 😉
Humanist
I like the idea of a human silhouette, but perhaps something with their hands held outward, rather than upward, signifying help, cooperation, and unification.
Completely off topic–is that icon of yours from “The Matrix Online”? I was totally thinking of it as such. 😉
Re: Humanist
Nope. That’s my Second Life avatar.
Cool
It’s very “Matrix-esque.” 🙂
Cool
It’s very “Matrix-esque.” 🙂
Re: Cool
Ask anybody who knows me. I’m a huge devotee of the oeuvre of Keanu Reaves, America’s most frequently misunderestimated cinema savant.
Re: Cool
Ask anybody who knows me. I’m a huge devotee of the oeuvre of Keanu Reaves, America’s most frequently misunderestimated cinema savant.
Why not some sort of play on a petroglyph? A more modern version of it, perhaps?
http://www.crystalinks.com/petroglyphs.html
Why not some sort of play on a petroglyph? A more modern version of it, perhaps?
http://www.crystalinks.com/petroglyphs.html
variations based on images such as da Vinci’s ‘Vitruvian Man’ or Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’ first came to mind. Then I thought about a circular group of standing people(drawn as stick figures?) with those on the edge opening their arms to welcome others as they approached. (trying to avoid the “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” vibe)
variations based on images such as da Vinci’s ‘Vitruvian Man’ or Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’ first came to mind. Then I thought about a circular group of standing people(drawn as stick figures?) with those on the edge opening their arms to welcome others as they approached. (trying to avoid the “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” vibe)
Hmmm. But what KIND of modern take, I wonder?
Hmmm. But what KIND of modern take, I wonder?
The Vitruvian Man idea keeps popping up, and was in fact the thing I was thinking about myself.
The Vitruvian Man idea keeps popping up, and was in fact the thing I was thinking about myself.
Re: "Please don't shoot me"
I’d like it to involve spaceships one day, but that’s a more general belief about the need for humans to become a space faring race. And I’m a firm believer in not drinking ones own Kool-Aid. [Only the cognoscenti know it was Flavorade]
~M~
Re: "Please don't shoot me"
I’d like it to involve spaceships one day, but that’s a more general belief about the need for humans to become a space faring race. And I’m a firm believer in not drinking ones own Kool-Aid. [Only the cognoscenti know it was Flavorade]
~M~
I think you should use South Park’s Cartman.
I think you should use South Park’s Cartman.
I need something that isn’t too heavy to wear as a necklace.
I need something that isn’t too heavy to wear as a necklace.
Bart Simpson’s shorts?
Bart Simpson’s shorts?
Hasn’t this already been taken by medicine/biomed engineering?
Hasn’t this already been taken by medicine/biomed engineering?
I don’t think they’re really allow to “take” it. Yeah, it gets used in that context, but it’s a lot broader symbol than that.
I don’t think they’re really allow to “take” it. Yeah, it gets used in that context, but it’s a lot broader symbol than that.
I tend to think of it more in terms of physiology, but maybe that’s just me.
I tend to think of it more in terms of physiology, but maybe that’s just me.
Well, that’s okay. That link is an important element in what it is to be human and humanist, don’t you think?
Well, that’s okay. That link is an important element in what it is to be human and humanist, don’t you think?
It’s certainly part of it, but by no means all. Stephen Hawking might have a different opinion.
The more I think about it, the more I like a simple circle. Unfortunately, it’s not a terribly obvious symbol.
It’s certainly part of it, but by no means all. Stephen Hawking might have a different opinion.
The more I think about it, the more I like a simple circle. Unfortunately, it’s not a terribly obvious symbol.
And the circle connotes other things, as well.
And the circle connotes other things, as well.
Yeah, but only to those people who know. 🙂 And if it took hold, it would be an amusing inside joke. heh.
Yeah, but only to those people who know. 🙂 And if it took hold, it would be an amusing inside joke. heh.
Yes, but not right for my current purposes.
Yes, but not right for my current purposes.
Here’s another idea you most will likely cringe at. There’s a commercial around now…I forget what it’s for…but it uses an Hu in a box, like it’s part of the Table of Elements. That could work.
Here’s another idea you most will likely cringe at. There’s a commercial around now…I forget what it’s for…but it uses an Hu in a box, like it’s part of the Table of Elements. That could work.
This is what I was talking about. As you can tell, the general public hates the company. So the idea might already be dead.
This is what I was talking about. As you can tell, the general public hates the company. So the idea might already be dead.
Yeah. DOW Chemical. Because they’re ALL about Humanium.
Yeah. DOW Chemical. Because they’re ALL about Humanium.
Guess Janus is taken, too.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/j/janus.html
Guess Janus is taken, too.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/j/janus.html
The Happy Human
The symbol you show is a crude version of the Happy Human, the winning design in a 1960s competition to find a logo for the British Humanist Association. One arm is stretched higher than the other – symbolic of aspiration and achievement. The BHA retains the copyright but allows free use by genuine humanist organisations worldwide. The original is to be seen at http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=1987 along with the version the BHA protects for its own use. Other versions have been adapted by different humanist organisations round the world.
The Happy Human
The symbol you show is a crude version of the Happy Human, the winning design in a 1960s competition to find a logo for the British Humanist Association. One arm is stretched higher than the other – symbolic of aspiration and achievement. The BHA retains the copyright but allows free use by genuine humanist organisations worldwide. The original is to be seen at http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=1987 along with the version the BHA protects for its own use. Other versions have been adapted by different humanist organisations round the world.
Re: The Happy Human
Sorry – meant to sign the above comment –
David Pollock
BHA trustee
http://www.david-pollock.co.uk
Re: The Happy Human
Sorry – meant to sign the above comment –
David Pollock
BHA trustee
http://www.david-pollock.co.uk
Re: The Happy Human
Thanks for this. I saw enough of it to assume something of the sort, but had no details.
Re: The Happy Human
Thanks for this. I saw enough of it to assume something of the sort, but had no details.
Open hand – either upright with fingers splayed to avoid confusion with “halt” or sidewise as if offering a hand to assist or greet.
Open hand – either upright with fingers splayed to avoid confusion with “halt” or sidewise as if offering a hand to assist or greet.
A couple other people suggested some variation on the hand idea, too.
A couple other people suggested some variation on the hand idea, too.
Centering and balance, perhaps looking outside the box. Grab an old symbol nobody is using anymore …
Centering and balance, perhaps looking outside the box. Grab an old symbol nobody is using anymore …