The Symbols

[h="2"]Symbol Information and Background[/h]
[category]Zombies[/category]

<Update in progress>
The use of alchemical, religious and Chinese symbols has been found in Ink’s multitude of tattoos and other areas of the show. These were first seen in the cover art for Chapter 27 and their possible significance to the overall plot was initially discussed by Red Shirt in the zombie theories.

The symbols play a large role in Chapter 42-3 when Carl, Puck, Muldoon and Robbins investigate the prison. They find a wing in solitary with doors labeled with various symbols. These symbols are described verbatim as:

1. A three-lines rainbow with a five-lined fan beneath it
2. A fish on fire
3. Snake
4. Bird foot
5. Cross with a triangle
6. Egyptian eye

During the discussion of Chapter 42-3 Kc provided a full face picture of Ink. With help from Footbutt and FunkyDung this picture was lightened up enough to make out many of the symbols on Ink’s face. Some of the symbols found on Ink’s face match those found in the cover art for Chapter 27 and the symbols described in Chapter 42-3.

Kc mentioned that the “fish on fire” symbol cannot be seen in either of the available pictures. One other picture does exist in the cover art for Chapter 11. Unfortunately, this picture does not provide enough detail to be able to make out any specific symbols on the back of Ink’s head.

Here is a map of the symbols found in the picture of Ink’s face and those in the cover art of Chapter 27: [ATTACH=CONFIG]2959[/ATTACH]
A starting point for the description and possible meanings of the symbols is here: [ATTACH=CONFIG]2960[/ATTACH]

The following is a list of the symbols as listed in the prior picture. Each number corresponds with the number on the picture and is followed by a description of the marking. This is followed with possible explanations including the type of symbol and potential meanings associated. For example if a symbol has interpretations that fall under the Mystical and also the Christian categories, both are listed with their associated interpretations.

1. Chemical formula


2. Indistinguishable mark - combined with #4 below


3. Two circles with a dot
o God
o Sun

2 & 4. Triangle with dots and curlicues

~Source: [url]http://www.hougansydney.com/voodoo-spirits.php[/url]

5. Chemical formula
o Possibly benzene


6. Hearts


7 & 8. Snakes and worm with x's

#'s 7, 8 & 7 are [URL="http://www.voodooneworleans.com/damballah.php"]all[/URL] [URL="http://www.white-magic-help.net/About_White_Magic/Voodoo_History_Basic_Principles_Background.html"]one[/URL] [URL="http://www.arcadia93.org/vodoun.html"]veves (symbols for)[/URL] for the Voodoo Loa [URL="http://www.voodooneworleans.com/damballah.php"]Damballah[/URL] Wedo. This [URL="http://www.voodooneworleans.com/vevedoll.php"]image[/URL] of a doll with various veves for Damballah that correspond to several of Ink's tattoos

From Wikipedia:
In Vodou, Damballah is one of the most important of all the loa (also spelled lwa). Damballah is the Sky God and considered the primordial creator of all life. The veve of Damballah comprises two serpents prominent among other emblems.

Common altar symbols used to represent the Sky God include white cloth, owls, bones, ivory, cotton, and chameleons. As a loa of the Rada nation he is associated with the color white and white is his particular color. His day of the week is Thursday.

Some of his ritual songs indicate that he "carries the ancestors"[1] on his back to Guinea (spiritual home of the Loa, and the afterlife). Damballah's offerings are very simple and he prefers an egg on a mound of flour or salt, but loves everything white. Toni Costonie relates that Priestess Miriam Chamani recommends cold water, milk, coconut, and coconut milk, honey, shea butter, rice, mild cigars, bread, and cookies. Some houses also serve him with anisette and corn syrup while kola nuts are also acceptable.[2] Traditionally, however, it is taboo to give Damballah tobacco or alcohol in any form.

9. 4 Lined x


10. 保护 is a compound word written in simplified Chinese. As a noun, it means protection and as a verb means to safeguard, to protect.


11. Chemical formula


12. Double diamonds with line through the center


13. Cross with a triangle on top
Alchemical: Sulphur


14. Downward arrow with line through the bottom (bird foot)
o Runes (The alphabet of Odin): Rune name – Algiz. Meaning: Defense, protection


15. Indistinguishable


16. Partial circle


17. Eye of Horus

18. Circle with a Horizontal line through it
o Alchemical Meaning: Salt


19. 3 lined x


20. Ribbon


21. Line with a hook


22. Centipede
o In Dream Interpretations: May suggest that you are letting your fears and doubts hinder you from making progress and achieving your goals

23. Staff with a snake
# 23 is also a veve (symbol for) for the voodoo Loa (spirit) [URL="http://thinng.com/5757-damballah-veve"]Damballah[/URL]. (See # 7 & 8)

24. Diamond with a line through it


25. Inverted v-squiggle line with dots under it


26. Indistinguishable


27. Four pointed x with dots
o Possibly the chaos symbol. There symbol for chaos is four lines in an x but normally ends in arrows. Given the limitations of tattooing on such a small space, the dots at the ends could be representative of the arrows.
Reference: [url]http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss38/lonehuntingwolf/ChaosSymbol-1.jpg[/url]

28. T


29. Possible fish


30. Indistinguishable


 Burning Fish (Not pictured)
Possible interpretations include:
o Antichrist
o “Sometimes the hand is shown with a fish and burning sea on the palm, which are the alchemical symbols for mercury and sulphur – supposedly key ingredients for the Philosopher’s Stone.”