myth creature symbolizing a university

[Gladeflower]

What god, goddess or mythological creature would best to symbolize a university?

Horns symbolize knowledge or wisdom according to one source i remember, can anyone back that up?

How about Balder?

Found a list for deities over knowledge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_deity, but is a university only knowledge, or is it more? Would like your thought on all this

[Gaudior]

Sarasvati would be a Goddess of learning and the arts :)

[Moon_reaper]

Oops, read universe, not university, sorry. Odin, who is a god of wisdom, and Mimer and his well of knowledge would be good symbols I think.

[Zai]

My thoughts tend to go towards Odin, but that's probably because of how I look at universities and the aquisition of knowledge in general. Learning can be painful. And it's a sacrifice that involves a lot of hard work. Universities, to me, symbolize. . . the pinnacle of that kind of sacrifice and work.

But that's just me. XD Lol.

Maybe Thoth would be a good choice. I also like the mention of Sarasvati.

I don't know about Balder.

[DiscordianKitten]

I'd suggest Athena, as the goddess of civilization, intelligence, strategy, crafts and skills. She strikes me as the embodiment of the Humanist city, and the heart of this city would be its University.

[Gladeflower]

I like the motivations. Its good that people bring that into their say.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I actually would have to add Hekate to the list. One of her signs is that of Key Bearer which to me stands for opening the hidden vaults and chambers of wealth and knowledge. It also represents that one has to seek to gain entrance and knowledge for it is not just given out. To seek the keys to gain entry is nearly as important as that knowledge which is gained.

[mouseytalons]

I would agree with Athena, and Hekate. I would also add the Phoenix, as it is a worldwide symbol of rebirth. Universities to me not only represent knowledge, and learning, but also rebirth.

[Zai]

Athena rocks. I don't know enough about Hekate to say anything about her.

Phoenix definitely works in the rebirth sense. Especially in universities, where some people are not only reborn into a more knowing self, they're reborn into a more mature self. I know that's how it's working for me, anyway.

Since the phoenix also continues to be reborn, that could represent continual learning. Actually, now that I've thought about it, I really like this idea. 0w0'

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I'd have to disagree on Phoenix. While it is a symbol of rebirth it's rebirth is always from its own ruins and decay. Rebirth maybe seen as a sign of education but one does not have to have an education to be reborn, thats more of a spiritual concept to my position.

For most entering a university its not a sign of rebirth from ruin and decay of their life. For many its a logical next step upon their pathway to adulthood and individual responsibility and accountability.

Just my 2 cents on that one.

[Zai]

You've got a point MonSno. I think part of this discussion will come down to our own perceptions. Personally, I experienced a "rebirth from ruin and decay [in my] life" when I entered university, but that's personal experience and I should have said that. It seems like I'm constantly going through this rebirth cycle in university. Again, I should have stated that.

Thanks for bringing it up. I still like the phoenix idea. :) It could work in a more limited context.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

You've got a point MonSno. I think part of this discussion will come down to our own perceptions. Personally, I experienced a "rebirth from ruin and decay [in my] life" when I entered university, but that's personal experience and I should have said that. It seems like I'm constantly going through this rebirth cycle in university. Again, I should have stated that.

Thanks for bringing it up. I still like the phoenix idea. :) It could work in a more limited context.

I think for me the critical factor is that the medicine of Phoenix in its rebirth occurs regardless of the place of its occurance. So one may experience that rebirth at the birth of child that changes thier life. They may experience it at the juncture of career changes. They may experience it at the transistion of lifes stages. One might experience it at the revelation of a spiritual truth or concept. The changes in career growth and employment. Even in the basic sense of the changes and growth that occur in every relationship one enters into.

For me for instance Phoenix medicine is pretty prevelant at the point or juncture of me becoming a father, a husband. It was critical at the transistion stage of retiring from 23 years of military service and going into work for the public school systems. At the moment very important and prominate in the transistion from being physical able to do many things to struggling to exist in the body that is now damaged and disabled which prevents me from doing the things I once did.

[Zai]

Ah, so you see the symbol of the phoenix as being more general, right? Makes sense, though I've never thought of "phoenix medicine" before. Very interesting.

Your post makes me think of transitions, so, while a phoenix could represent the transition, it wouldn't represent the place you go to after the transition.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Zai wrote: Ah, so you see the symbol of the phoenix as being more general, right? Makes sense, though I've never thought of "phoenix medicine" before. Very interesting.


It's not so much that I see it in general as much as I see it as an action or catalyst that causes a change. Yet even that is only particially correct for its also a magnitude of energy released.

In physical terms one could think of it like any weather condition. A light summer rain is the same action that is found in a tropical hurricane. The only difference is the amount of energy or magnitude of its release and utilization.

The reference of things and thier Medicine is more Shamanic in word usage. It relates to Power animals, guides, totems and the lessons they teach and the means and mannerisms that it is shown through. That and some influences from Native American nations that have influenced me I suppose.


Your post makes me think of transitions, so, while a phoenix could represent the transition, it wouldn't represent the place you go to after the transition.

I agree that not necessarily the place but it would be reflective of the rippling affect / effect that results from the infusion of its energy upon ones life course or pathwalk.

[lightdragon]

I'd have to disagree on Phoenix. While it is a symbol of rebirth it's rebirth is always from its own ruins and decay. Rebirth maybe seen as a sign of education but one does not have to have an education to be reborn, thats more of a spiritual concept to my position.

For most entering a university its not a sign of rebirth from ruin and decay of their life. For many its a logical next step upon their pathway to adulthood and individual responsibility and accountability.

.
I agree. now some people might go into ruin to get their education (as the costs could be high in some universities) , it's not the general case with either most or all students. it's more of an uplifting aspect. I could say dragons,gargoyles or griffins but these are more on the lines of guardianship. although the two former can be used for gaining wisdom. Winged snakes might as well as pegasi or winged horses.

As far as gods/goddesses are concerned, Hekate could be one.
Athena,Apollo(although here more towards universities geared towards medicine,music and art and creative writing),the archangel Raphael(angel of Science and knowledge),Cerridwen,The Dagda,Taliesin.

the list goes on.