The Symbols

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  1.  
    [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:

  2. -
    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
  3. +
    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
  4.  

    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]

  5. -
    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]
  6. +
    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]
  7.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Right side of nose
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    1. Alchemical
    2. Greek
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    1. Salt
    2. Theta[/INDENT]
  8. -

  9.  
    In this example, salt is the meaning under Alchemy and Theta is the meaning in Greek.

    THE SYMBOLS:
    [HR][/HR]
  10. -
    [B]1. Chemical formula[/B]
  11. +
    [B]1. Chemical formula[/B]
  12.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, top right
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Chemistry
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  13. -
    [B]2. Indistinguishable mark - combined with #4 below[/B]
  14. +
    [B]2. Indistinguishable mark - combined with #4 below[/B]
  15.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, top, center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Voodoo
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    See #4 for description



    [HR][/HR]
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    [B]3. Two circles with a dot [/B]
  17. +
    [B]3. Two circles with a dot [/B]
  18.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, top, left
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

  19. -
    o God
    o Sun
  20. +
    o God
    o Sun
  21.  


    [HR][/HR]
  22. -
    [B]2 & 4. Triangle with dots and curlicues[/B]
  23. +
    [B]2 & 4. Triangle with dots and curlicues[/B]
  24.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Head front/top, center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Voodoo
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]


    The triangle marking likely combines with number 2 on the picture to form the symbol for Loko in Voodooism.

    Loko is regarded as the first and highest of priests. He is the guardian of the deepest secret in Voodoo: the initiation secrets.
  25. -
    ~Source: [url]http://www.hougansydney.com/voodoo-spirits.php[/url]
  26. +
    ~Source: [URL]http://www.hougansydney.com/voodoo-spirits.php[/URL]
  27.  


    [HR][/HR]
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    [B]5. Chemical formula[/B]
  29. +
    [B]5. Chemical formula[/B]
  30.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, top, right
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Chemistry
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  31. -
    [B]6. Hearts[/B]
  32. +
    [B]6. Hearts[/B]
  33.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, side, right
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [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

    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]
  34. -
    [B]9. 4 Lined x[/B]
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    [B]9. 4 Lined x[/B]
  36.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

    [HR][/HR]
  37. -
    10.[B] 保护[/B]
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    10.[B] 保护[/B]
  39.  
    [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]
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    [B]11. Chemical formula[/B]
  41. +
    [B]11. Chemical formula[/B]
  42.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Head, middle
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  43. -
    [B]12. Double diamonds with line through the center[/B]
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    [B]12. Double diamonds with line through the center[/B]
  45.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead, center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  46. -
    [B]13. Cross with a triangle on top[/B]
  47. +
    [B]13. Cross with a triangle on top[/B]
  48.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead, left
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I] Alchemical
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]


    [HR][/HR]
  49. -
    [B]14. Downward arrow with line through the bottom (bird foot)[/B]
  50. +
    [B]14. Downward arrow with line through the bottom (bird foot)[/B]
  51.  
    [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]
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    [B]15. Indistinguishable[/B]
  53. +
    [B]15. Indistinguishable[/B]
  54.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Forehead, left side
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  55. -
    [B]16. Partial circle[/B]
  56. +
    [B]16. Partial circle[/B]
  57.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Right cheek
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  58. -
    [B]17. Eye of Horus[/B]
  59. +
    [B]17. Eye of Horus[/B]
  60.  
    [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]
  61. -
    [B]18. Circle with a Horizontal line through it[/B]
  62. +
    [B]18. Circle with a Horizontal line through it[/B]
  63.  
    [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]
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    [B]19. 3 lined x[/B]
  65. +
    [B]19. 3 lined x[/B]
  66.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Left side of nose
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  67. -
    [B]20. Ribbon[/B]
  68. +
    [B]20. Ribbon[/B]
  69.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Left side of nose
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    - Greek
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]
    - Alpha




    [HR][/HR]
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    [B]21. Line with a hook[/B]
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    [B]21. Line with a hook[/B]
  72.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Right cheek, low
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]




    [HR][/HR]
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    [B]22. Centipede[/B]
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    [B]22. Centipede[/B]
  75.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Right upper lip and cheek
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

  76. -
    o In Dream Interpretations: May suggest that you are letting your fears and doubts hinder you from making progress and achieving your goals
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    o In Dream Interpretations: May suggest that you are letting your fears and doubts hinder you from making progress and achieving your goals
  78.  



    [HR][/HR]
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    [B]23. Staff with a snake[/B]
  80. +
    [B]23. Staff with a snake[/B]
  81.  
    [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]
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    [B]24. Diamond with a line through it[/B]
  83. +
    [B]24. Diamond with a line through it[/B]
  84.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Chin, center
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  85. -
    [B]25. Inverted v-squiggle line with dots under it[/B]
  86. +
    [B]25. Inverted v-squiggle line with dots under it[/B]
  87.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Left cheek, middle
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
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    [B]26. Indistinguishable[/B]
  89. +
    [B]26. Indistinguishable[/B]
  90.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Left cheek, upper portion
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]




    [HR][/HR]
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    [B]27. Four pointed x with dots[/B]
  92. +
    [B]27. Four pointed x with dots[/B]
  93.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Right hand, middle finger
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]

  94. -
    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]
  95. +
    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]
  96.  

    [HR][/HR]
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    [B]28. T[/B]
  98. +
    [B]28. T[/B]
  99.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Right hand,
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  100. -
    29. Possible fish
  101. +
    29. Possible fish
  102.  
    [I]Location:[/I] Right pointer finger, top knuckle
    [I]Possible Origins:[/I]
    [I]Possible Meanings:[/I]



    [HR][/HR]
  103. -
    30. Indistinguishable
  104. +
    30. Indistinguishable
  105.  
    [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:
  106. -
    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.”
    [table] style="width: 500px" class="cms_table_grid" align="center"
    |Number
    | Description
    | Location
    |-
  107. +
    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.”
    [TABLE] align="center" class="cms_table_grid" style="width: 500px"
    |-
    | [CENTER][FONT=arial black][COLOR=#ff0000]#[/COLOR][/FONT][/CENTER]

    | style="text-align: center" | [CENTER][FONT=arial black][COLOR=#ff0000]Location[/COLOR][/FONT]
    [/CENTER]

    | [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000][FONT=arial black]Description[/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER]

    | [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000][FONT=arial black]Meaning[/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER]

    | style="text-align: center" | [COLOR=#ff0000][FONT=arial black]Source[/FONT][/COLOR]
    |-
    | style="text-align: center" | 1
    | Head, viewers top left
    | Chemical Symbol
    | Carbon?
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    [/table]
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    [/TABLE]


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