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| − | '''Theta-Delta''' is the most widely used symbol in representing Therianthropy |
+ | '''Theta-Delta''' is the most widely used symbol in representing Therianthropy. The symbol consists of two Greek letters layered on top of each other: the Delta and the Theta characters. Both characters are typically depicted in the same color against a contrasting single color background, and may be styled further by intertwining the letters. |
[[File:Theta-delta.svg|thumb|alt=The Theta Delta|The Theta Delta]] |
[[File:Theta-delta.svg|thumb|alt=The Theta Delta|The Theta Delta]] |
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| − | == |
+ | ==Were/Therian Symbol History== |
| + | There have been a few attempts to create a symbol for Therians. On August 17, 1999, BleuLynx announced a Weresymbol contest through AHWW. <ref>https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!searchin/alt.horror.werewolves/weresymbol|sort:relevance/alt.horror.werewolves/F14KE9Ep4Zg/HVCQrrvRHFkJ</ref> In November of 1999, Kamatu announced voting for an International Weresymbol and links to a now defunct website known as ''The Changing Times''. Unfortunately, the page with the symbols was not archived, so we are unable to see the designs. <ref>AHWW, November 5, 1999. https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!searchin/alt.horror.werewolves/therianthrope|sort:date/alt.horror.werewolves/Hogb5DAPLDA/Lx15fCNgKC4J</ref> <ref>The Changing Times, January 6, 2000. (archived page) https://web.archive.org/web/20000106232627/http://www.thechangingtimes.com:80/</ref> |
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| + | The Theta-Delta was created in 2003 on an early version of [[Werelist|The Werelist]] forums. The intent was to make a universal Therian symbol for the entire community, and after considering various ideas, the Theta-Delta was selected. <blockquote>It was a joint effort between the WereList and then popular Awereness forums (aka TO Forums). There was another user on the TO forums that was a fellow artist, I *think* his name was Crinos but I can't recall if I'm just mixing up WWtA stuff with this guy. Anyway, he and I put the logo together. There was a lot of people involved in giving suggestions though, so it wasn't just us. I just recall our contributions better than what others suggested. I suggested a mix of triangle, which stood for change, and a circle which stood for equals. The reason we didn't want pawprints and stuff is that is very alienating for non-canine/feline/blah blah therians. But two non-species specific symbols would work out better.<br> |
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| + | <br> |
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| ⚫ | '''Delta''' (uppercase '''Δ''', lowercase '''δ'''; Greek: Δέλτα [ðelta: ''Dhelta'']) is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 4. Delta was derived from the Phoenician letter Dalet, and in the Ancient Greek language it represented a voiced dental plosive /d̪/. The upper-case letter Δ often denotes difference and can symbolize a change. |
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| + | Crinos was the one that put the circle in the triangle. And then I believe that Coyote Osborne was the one that suggested we make it an official greek "theta-delta" so that at least the symbology was somewhat "normal" (Hey, it's two greek letters) and because Therianthropy's root word of origin (therios) is greek AND started with the Theta. <br> |
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| − | ::<math>{y_2-y_1\over x_2-x_1} = {\Delta y \over \Delta x}</math>, Change of water temperature upon applying heat: Cold --> Hot Δ |
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| + | <br> |
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| + | It all came together so well, and it was really the first time the majority of the werecommunity ever agreed on anything (There was a lot of animosity towards other sites back in those days). So it was pretty well received and still used to this day." </blockquote><blockquote>-Jakkal <ref>http://www.werelist.net/archive/index.php/t-32006.html</ref></blockquote> |
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| ⚫ | The symbol was seen as appropriate due to a number of reasons, including logo simplicity and appropriate symbolism. Theta, being a T, represented the word "Therian" and Delta represented change, as in a [[Therianthropic Shifts|shift]]. {{fact}}. Unfortunately the original forum thread disappeared in a server crash a few months later and nearly all the web pages explaining the theta-delta symbol were lost, having not been archived. We do know that a Werelist member made a web page detailing the Theta Delta logo, distributing image files to be customized and used freely. |
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| − | In legal shorthand an uppercase Delta represents a defendant. The American Dental Association cites it (together with omicron for "odont") as the symbol of dentistry as well. <ref>[http://ada.org/public/topics/emblem_dentistry.asp ADA.org: Oral Health Topics: Emblem/Insignia of Dentistry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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| + | One of its original uses was to be optionally worn, as an identifying symbol, so that other Therians would recognize the wearer as another Therian, and not feel awkward about starting a conversation about Therianthropy. |
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| + | == Adaptations == |
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| − | In classical Athens Theta was used as an abbreviation for the Greek θάνατος (thanatos, death), as it vaguely resembled a human skull. Theta was also used as a warning symbol of death just like the universal "skull and crossbones" symbol is used today. It still survives on as a symbol used by Athenians when voting for the death penalty.<ref name="Barry_1">{{cite book| Author=Barry, Kieren |
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| + | Today, we see many adaptations of the basic design across the internet. The symbol is often turned into unique charms with personal significance to the person wearing it. |
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| − | | Last = Barry |
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| + | [[File:UnifiedThetaDelta by Slava.png|thumb|153x153px]] |
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| − | | First = Kieren |
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| − | | Title = The Greek Qabalah: Alphabetic Mysticism and Numerology in the Ancient World |
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| − | | Publisher = [[Samuel Weiser]] |
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| − | | page = p. 73 |
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| − | | Year = 1999 |
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| − | | ID=ISBN 1-57863-110-6 |
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| − | }}.</ref> |
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| − | A document from 1291 relates the idea that theta was also used to brand criminals as empty ciphers, and the branding rod was affixed to the crossbar spanning the circle.<ref>{{cite book |
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| − | | last = Kaplan |
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| − | | first = Robert |
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| − | | title = The Nothing that Is: A Natural History of Zero |
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| − | | publisher = [[Wikipedia:Oxford University Press]] |
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| − | | date = 2000 |
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| − | | pages = p. 66 |
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| − | | isbn = 0-1951-4237-3 |
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| − | }}.</ref> |
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| − | Another esoteric/spiritual/occult group which uses the symbol today is the Church of Scientology. In Scientology the word "theta" is often used as an adjective to express or convey a sense of spirituality, or to describe an uplifting feeling. The word thetan is the Scientology term for someone’s spirit. |
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| − | == |
+ | === Unified Theta-Delta === |
| + | This version of the symbol was created by [[Slavasesh]] between 2015-2016. |
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| − | Although being common Theta Delta is not used by some therians for various reasons. Some may not wish to use visual symbols to represent their Therianthropy. Some, including the Therian Temple,<ref>http://www.youtube.com/profile_video_blog?sid=E93DD8E0425A11B0&id=10C83DCE991DE338</ref>protest the use of the symbol due to historical usage in branding criminals. Subsequently many have developed or selected their own symbols/sigils, including the ancient [[Wolfsangel]] (for Wolf Therians) and the [[Theriogram]] (for the Therian Temple). |
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| + | "The green symbolizes beings of the land, blue those of water, and white those of flight, or in the air. The black symbolizes the unknown, AKA the reason we feel the way we do." |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | '''Delta''' (uppercase '''Δ''', lowercase '''δ'''; Greek: Δέλτα [ðelta: ''Dhelta'']) is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 4. Delta was derived from the Phoenician letter Dalet, and in the Ancient Greek language it represented a voiced dental plosive /d̪/. The upper-case letter Δ often denotes difference and can symbolize a change. |
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| − | ==References== |
+ | == References == |
| + | "Theta-Delta Symbol" Werelist Archive, 2008. http://www.werelist.net/archive/index.php/t-15250.html |
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| − | <references/> |
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| − | [[Category:Therian symbols]] |
+ | <references />[[Category:Therian symbols]] |
Revision as of 10:00, 29 October 2019
Theta-Delta is the most widely used symbol in representing Therianthropy. The symbol consists of two Greek letters layered on top of each other: the Delta and the Theta characters. Both characters are typically depicted in the same color against a contrasting single color background, and may be styled further by intertwining the letters.
The Theta Delta
Were/Therian Symbol History
There have been a few attempts to create a symbol for Therians. On August 17, 1999, BleuLynx announced a Weresymbol contest through AHWW. [1] In November of 1999, Kamatu announced voting for an International Weresymbol and links to a now defunct website known as The Changing Times. Unfortunately, the page with the symbols was not archived, so we are unable to see the designs. [2] [3]
The Theta-Delta was created in 2003 on an early version of The Werelist forums. The intent was to make a universal Therian symbol for the entire community, and after considering various ideas, the Theta-Delta was selected.
It was a joint effort between the WereList and then popular Awereness forums (aka TO Forums). There was another user on the TO forums that was a fellow artist, I *think* his name was Crinos but I can't recall if I'm just mixing up WWtA stuff with this guy. Anyway, he and I put the logo together. There was a lot of people involved in giving suggestions though, so it wasn't just us. I just recall our contributions better than what others suggested. I suggested a mix of triangle, which stood for change, and a circle which stood for equals. The reason we didn't want pawprints and stuff is that is very alienating for non-canine/feline/blah blah therians. But two non-species specific symbols would work out better.
Crinos was the one that put the circle in the triangle. And then I believe that Coyote Osborne was the one that suggested we make it an official greek "theta-delta" so that at least the symbology was somewhat "normal" (Hey, it's two greek letters) and because Therianthropy's root word of origin (therios) is greek AND started with the Theta.
It all came together so well, and it was really the first time the majority of the werecommunity ever agreed on anything (There was a lot of animosity towards other sites back in those days). So it was pretty well received and still used to this day."
-Jakkal [4]
The symbol was seen as appropriate due to a number of reasons, including logo simplicity and appropriate symbolism. Theta, being a T, represented the word "Therian" and Delta represented change, as in a shift. (citation needed). Unfortunately the original forum thread disappeared in a server crash a few months later and nearly all the web pages explaining the theta-delta symbol were lost, having not been archived. We do know that a Werelist member made a web page detailing the Theta Delta logo, distributing image files to be customized and used freely.
One of its original uses was to be optionally worn, as an identifying symbol, so that other Therians would recognize the wearer as another Therian, and not feel awkward about starting a conversation about Therianthropy.
Adaptations
Today, we see many adaptations of the basic design across the internet. The symbol is often turned into unique charms with personal significance to the person wearing it.
Unified Theta-Delta
This version of the symbol was created by Slavasesh between 2015-2016.
"The green symbolizes beings of the land, blue those of water, and white those of flight, or in the air. The black symbolizes the unknown, AKA the reason we feel the way we do."
Historical Symbolism & Meanings
Delta (uppercase Δ, lowercase δ; Greek: Δέλτα [ðelta: Dhelta]) is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 4. Delta was derived from the Phoenician letter Dalet, and in the Ancient Greek language it represented a voiced dental plosive /d̪/. The upper-case letter Δ often denotes difference and can symbolize a change.
Theta (uppercase Θ, lowercase θ or ϑ; Greek: Θήτα [Theta]) is the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, derived from the Phoenician letter Teth. In has a value of 9 in the Greek numeric system.
References
"Theta-Delta Symbol" Werelist Archive, 2008. http://www.werelist.net/archive/index.php/t-15250.html
- ↑ https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!searchin/alt.horror.werewolves/weresymbol%7Csort:relevance/alt.horror.werewolves/F14KE9Ep4Zg/HVCQrrvRHFkJ
- ↑ AHWW, November 5, 1999. https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!searchin/alt.horror.werewolves/therianthrope%7Csort:date/alt.horror.werewolves/Hogb5DAPLDA/Lx15fCNgKC4J
- ↑ The Changing Times, January 6, 2000. (archived page) https://web.archive.org/web/20000106232627/http://www.thechangingtimes.com:80/
- ↑ http://www.werelist.net/archive/index.php/t-32006.html