The Symbols

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  1.  
    [h="2"]Inks Tattoos[/h]

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]3070[/ATTACH]

    Before he was to appear in court; Ink bribed several of the guards at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility to have tattooing equipment and a large number of pens smuggled into his cell. He then paid an inmate to tattoo him using ink from the smuggled pens. The news broadcast found on the DVR in the Tower said that he was "Tattooed from head to foot." However, thus far, only one of his hands and his face have been clearly depicted in detail.

    The functions and motivations behind the tattoos are unclear. Records found at the Jail indicate he wrote the symbols he desired to have tattooed on a wall in his cell and the tattooist copied them onto his skin. Several of the tattoos seem to be chemical notation; However, many seem to be magical or religious in nature and there is at least one Chinese phrase or title (Magical symbols include Voodoo Loas, and alchemical code).

    [h="2"]Symbols On the Doors Within the Jail[/h]
    Chapter 42-3
    During Carl, Puck, Muldoon and Robbins investigation of the Two Towers Correctional Center they found a wing in solitary with the following symbols on the doors (presumably put there by Ink):

    1. A three-lined 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

    [h="2"]Symbol Information and Background[/h]
    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:



    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 or, when possible, the name of the symbol (if undisputed). If there are multiple origins and meanings for a symbol, they will be marked to show which meaning corresponds to which origin. For example:[INDENT][B]18. Circle with a Horizontal line through it[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Right side of nose
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    1. Alchemical
    2. Greek
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    1. Salt
    2. Theta[/INDENT]
    In this example, salt is the meaning under Alchemy and Theta is the meaning in Greek.

    THE SYMBOLS:
    [HR][/HR]
    [B]1. Chemical formula[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, top right
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Chemistry
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]2. Indistinguishable mark - combined with #4 below[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, top, center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Voodoo
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    See #4 for description



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]3. Two circles with a dot [/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, top, left
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] [URL="http://http://www.nazarboncugu.com/"]Nazur Boncugu[/URL]: Turkish amulet of protection.
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I] Protection against the Evil Eye; an ancient, cross-cultural belief that one can be cursed via a malevolent glance.

    [URL="http://http://ww.mamacreepy.com/images/protection.jpg"]2-D representation.[/URL] (Lower Right)
    [HR][/HR]
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]2995[/ATTACH]
    [B]2 & 4. Triangle with dots and curlicues[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Head front/top, center
  2. -
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Voodoo
  3. +
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Voodoo, Papa Loko, Loco. [URL="http://http://www.hougansydney.com/resources/loko_veve.jpg"]His veve[/URL].
  4.  
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

    [U]From [URL]http://www.ezilikonnen.com/the_lwa/papa-loko.html[/URL] [/U]
    Papa Loko is the first Houngan. He is the father of all Houngans and Mambos, and highly respected by all. It is he who confers the asson, the sacred rattle of the Vodou priesthood. He is the guardian of the peristyle, quite naturally being the premier Houngan himself. Salutes to Loko are of the most complex and beautiful, giving him all respect. Loko is extremely strict when it comes to tradition.

    Sometimes, even when things are being executed correctly, Papa Loko will appear in possession, and not extremely happy. He can be harsh when he sees that things are not being done properly. He cannot tolerate injustice, and is quick to punish those who have done wrong. He is the master of ceremonies and always has the appropriate answer to any question. He is known as a just judge and is often called in to make decisions when something is being disputed.

    He is a master herbal doctor and knows all of their properties for both healing and magic, good or ill. If a particular case or illness is extremely difficult, Loko is called by Houngans and Mambos to prescribe the cure. He passes much of his knowledge about leaves and herbs to Houngans and Mambos, thus we have many of the secrets of herbs for both healing and magic. It is often said that Loko is the wind, or like the wind. Thus he is able to hear anything he so desires. He is associated with the beautiful butterfly and no secret is unknown to him.


    [HR][/HR]
    [B]5. Chemical formula[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, top, right
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Chemistry
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]6. Hearts[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, side, right
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Voodoo
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I] Veve of Erzulie

    From Wikipedia:
    Erzulie Fréda Dahomey, the Rada aspect of Erzulie, is the spirit of love, beauty, jewelry, dancing, luxury, and flowers. She wears three wedding rings, one for each husband - Damballa, Agwe and Ogoun. Her symbol is a heart, her colours are pink, blue, white and gold, and her favourite sacrifices include jewellery, perfume, sweet cakes and liqueurs. Coquettish and very fond of beauty and finery, Erzulie Freda is femininity and compassion embodied, yet she also has a darker side; she is seen as jealous and spoiled and within some vodoun circles is considered to be lazy. When she mounts a serviteur she flirts with all the men, and treats all the women as rivals.

    In Christian iconography she is often identified with the Mater Dolorosa. She is conceived of as never able to attain her heart's most fervent desire. For this reason she always leaves a service in tears. Her syncretic iconographical depiction is usually based on that of the Virgin and Child, because she is the mother of Ti. Common syncretizations include Our Lady of Lourdes because she is usually depicted as light-skinned.

    *The symbol used in Ink's tattoos does not directly match any of the veves for Erzulie currently found however the triple hearts is likely a nod to the three wedding rings mentioned above.

    [HR][/HR]

    [B]7 & 8. Snakes and worm with x's[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead, front, right
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

    #'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. #'s 7, 22, 27 and 29 comprise a [URL="http://http://snakespirit.webs.com/damballa4.jpg"]single symbol or veve for Damballah[/URL].

    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.

    [HR][/HR]
    [B]9. 4 Lined x[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

    [HR][/HR]
    10.[B] 保护[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead, center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    A compound word written in simplified Chinese. As a noun, it means protection and as a verb means to safeguard, to protect.



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]11. Chemical formula[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, middle, left
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I] Benzo(b)fluoranthene

    As first mentioned by Red Shirt [URL="http://www.zombiepodcast.com/forum/showthread.php?3310-quot-Ink-quot-the-origin-and-meaning-of-his-tattoos"]here[/URL] there is a resemblance between this symbol and [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzo%28b%29fluoranthene"]Benzo(b)fluoranthene[/URL].



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]12. Double diamonds with line through the center[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead, center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]13. Cross with a triangle on top[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead, left
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Alchemical
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]


    [HR][/HR]
    [B]14. Downward arrow with line through the bottom (bird foot)[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Eyebrow, left
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    - Runes (the alphabet of Odin), Rune name Algiz
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    - Defense, protection


    [HR][/HR]
    [B]15. Indistinguishable[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead, left side
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]16. Partial circle[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Right cheek
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]17. Eye of Horus[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Right cheek, under eye
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Egyptian
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

    [U]From Wikipedia:[/U]

    [B]As a symbol:[/B] There are seven different hieroglyphs used to represent the eye, most commonly "ir.t" in Egyptian, which also has the meaning "to make or do" or "one who does".[5] In Egyptian myth the eye was not the passive organ of sight but more an agent of action, protection or wrath.

    [B]Mathematics:[/B]
    The right side of the eye = 1/2
    The pupil = 1/4
    The eyebrow = 1/8
    The left side of the eye = 1/16
    The curved tail = 1/32
    The teardrop = 1/64




    [HR][/HR]
    [B]18. Circle with a Horizontal line through it[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Right side of nose
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    1. Alchemical
    2. Greek
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    1. Salt
    2. Theta


    [HR][/HR]
    [B]19. 3 lined x[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Left side of nose
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]20. Ribbon[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Left side of nose
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    - Greek
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    - Alpha




    [HR][/HR]
    [B]21. Line with a hook[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Right cheek, low
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]




    [HR][/HR]
    [B]22. Centipede[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Right upper lip and cheek
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

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



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]23. Staff with a snake[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Chin, right side
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

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



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]24. Diamond with a line through it[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Chin, center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]2996[/ATTACH]
    [B]25. Inverted v-squiggle line with dots under it[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Left cheek, middle
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    [B]26. Indistinguishable[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Left cheek, upper portion
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]




    [HR][/HR]
    [B]27. Four pointed x with dots[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Right hand, middle finger
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

    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"]http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/s...osSymbol-1.jpg[/URL]

    [HR][/HR]
    [B]28. T[/B]
    [I]Location:[/I] Right hand,
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    29. Possible fish
    [I]Location:[/I] Right pointer finger, top knuckle
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
    30. Indistinguishable
    [I]Location:[/I] Back of right hand, close to wrist
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]


    [HR][/HR]
    31. Chinese Character
    [I]Location:[/I] Right pinkie finger
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]


    [HR][/HR]
    32. Chinese Character
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, right side
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

    [HR][/HR]
    33. Chinese Character
    [I]Location:[/I] Right temple
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]


    [HR][/HR]
    Burning Fish (Not pictured)
    [I]Location:[/I]
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

    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.”
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]2965[/ATTACH]
    [TABLE] align="center" class="cms_table_grid" style="width: 600px"
    |-
    | [CENTER][FONT=times new roman][COLOR=#ff0000]#[/COLOR][/FONT][/CENTER]

    | style="text-align: center" | [CENTER][FONT=times new roman][COLOR=#ff0000]Location[/COLOR]
    [/FONT][/CENTER]

    | [CENTER][FONT=times new roman][COLOR=#ff0000]Description[/COLOR][/FONT][/CENTER]

    | [CENTER][FONT=times new roman][COLOR=#ff0000]Meaning[/COLOR][/FONT][/CENTER]

    | style="text-align: center" | [FONT=times new roman][COLOR=#ff0000]Source[/COLOR][/FONT]
    |-
    | style="text-align: center" | [FONT=times new roman]1[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Head, upper side, viewer's left[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_formula"]Skeletal[/URL] Molecular Symbol[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Carbon?[/FONT]
    |
    |-
    | style="text-align: center" | [FONT=times new roman]2[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Head, center top[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Voodoo symbol/Veve of Loko[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]First [I]Houngan[/I] (priest)[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman][URL="http://voodoo.forourpla.net/loa/loko/"]a[/URL], [URL="http://erzulieredeyes.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/papa-loko/"]b[/URL], [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houngan"]c[/URL][/FONT]
    |-
    | style="text-align: center" | [FONT=times new roman]3[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Head, viewer's right[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Concentric rings[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Unknown[/FONT]
    |
    |-
    | style="text-align: center" | [FONT=times new roman]4[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Head, upper, viewers right[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Skeletal Molecular Symbol[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Unknown[/FONT]
    |
    |-
    | style="text-align: center" | [FONT=times new roman]5[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman] Head, over ear, viewers left[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Concentric Hearts, possible veve[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Unknown[/FONT]
    |
    |-
    | style="text-align: center" | 6
    | [FONT=times new roman]Forehead, viewer's left, over eye[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Voodoo symbol/Veve of Damballah[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Father, protector of humans[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]e[/FONT]
    |-
    | [FONT=times new roman]7[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Forehead, middle[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]"Simplified Chinese" compound word[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman]Noun: protection
    Verb: to safeguard, protect[/FONT]
    | [FONT=times new roman][URL="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E4%BF%9D%E6%8A%A4"]a[/URL][/FONT]
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    [/TABLE]


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