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DISTINCTION: EMBLEM AND SYMBOL The words emblem and ''. A metal emblem of a cockle shell sewn onto the hat identied a medieval pilgrim to the shrine of Santiago De Compostela . In current American usage, police officers' ''badges'' refer specifically to their personal metal emblem — sometimes with a uniquely identifying number or name on it — while the woven ''emblems'' sewn on their uniforms identify all the members of a particular unit. A . The Red Cross is a ''symbol'' of the humanitarian spirit. The Crescent shape is a ''symbol'' of the moon; it is an ''emblem'' of Islam. The Skull And Crossbones is an ''emblem'' identifying a poison. The Skull is a ''symbol'' of the transitory human life. OTHER TERMINOLOGY A Totem is specifically an animal emblem that expresses the spirit of a Clan . Heraldry knows its emblems as '' Charge s''. The lion passant serves as the emblem of England, the lion rampant as the emblem of Scotland. An Icon consists of an image (originally a religious image), that has become standardized by convention. A Logo is an impersonal, secular icon, usually of a Corporate Entity . EMBLEMS IN HISTORY Since the 15th century the terms of emblem ( Emblema ) and Emblematura belong to the ''termini technici'' of Architecture . They mean an Icon ic painted, drawn, or sculptural representation of a concept affixed to houses and belong — like the inscriptions — to the architectural ornaments ( Ornamenta ). Since the publication of '' De Architectura Libri Decem '' by Leon Battista Alberti ( 1404 – 1472 ) the emblems ( Emblema ) are related to Egyptian hieroglyphics and are considered as being a secret iconic language. Therefore the emblems belong to the Renaissance knowledge of antiquity which comprises not only Greek and Roman antiquity but also Egyptian antiquity as proven by the numerous obelisks built in 16th and 17th century Rome. The 1531 publication in Augsburg of the first Emblem Book , the Emblemata of the Italian jurist Andrea Alciato launched a fascination with emblems that lasted two centuries and touched most of the countries of western Europe. "Emblem" in this sense refers to a didactic or moralizing combination of picture and text intended to draw the reader into a self-reflective examination of his or her own Life . Complicated associations of emblems could transmit information to the culturally-informed viewer, a characteristic of the 16th century artistic movement called Mannerism . SEE ALSO |