Let me just begin by saying this post may be a little too provocative for some of you. I've been thinking about this for a while and I guess I'm just putting it out there for contemplative purposes.
Have you ever noticed or thought about the logos and symbols that are chosen for well known brands and movements and where they come from? I think about this all the time. Some of the most recognized brands have very interesting symbols attached to them, some that I would say mock our Creator in a very bad way.
Let's me show you what I mean and you can tell me what you think about it.
Lets start with arguably one of the most identifiable symbols on the planet, for none other than technology giant, Apple. Why a picture of a fruit with a bite taken out of it? Doesn't that seem a little bit odd? I mean, clearly it doesn't stand for an apple farmer, and doesn't have anything to do with technology.
However; if you know the story of creation, you know that it was taking a bite of the forbidden fruit that led to the fallen dark world outside the garden that we live in. Not sure what I mean? Read the story of Adam & Eve's fall and the entrance of sin in the world in Genesis. The most fascinating part of this choice of symbol is that it was eating the fruit of the knowledge of Good & Evil that led to us knowing and then feeling like gods. It was the power of knowledge that led us away from G-d and his divine plan for our lives. Of course, thankfully G-d had a plan to redeem us despite our fall, but I find it spectacularly rebellious for a giant company to use the "bitten fruit" symbol as their logo. What are they trying to say?
Are they insinuating that knowledge and the power of technology to bring forth that knowledge negates the need for G-d? As a Christian, and an enthusiast of Apple's technology, I find myself in a bit of a snafu when it comes to walking around with such a blatant symbol of rebellion. On the other hand, maybe the symbol serves as a warning? Maybe Apple is actually saying, hey - remember, the forbidden fruit led to the fall, so use this technology (knowledge and power) wisely?
Okay, lets talk about another interesting logo. I'm sure all of you reading this will know who this lady in green belongs to, right? Yep, Starbucks. Now the interesting thing is that most people pass this off as a mermaid, right, because Seattle is on the water, so maybe its a reference to that. But the reality is that it is a Siren.
No big deal, right? Except for the fact that Sirens are especially notorious mythical creatures who would tempt their victims by their beauty and attraction but ultimately lead them to their death. Hmmm. Very interesting. While yes, Sirens were typically found in ancient Greek & Roman mythology, they were also referred to in the Bible (before being changed to "jackals" etc.) as temptations that led to addictions and death. The Bible warns extensively against this kind of seductress in Proverbs.
Now, I will be the first to admit that I have a strong coffee love addiction, and I can't tell you how many times I have succumbed to the temptation of a Starbucks drink, even when it was hard on my budget or completely unnecessary! Their drinks do have a strange appeal but often I feel cheated after spending a small fortune for a cup of espresso. All the same, I keep going back...and back...and back again. For me, Starbucks is a siren indeed.
Let's talk about the very interesting choice in logo for those with pride. This is simply another deeper look at how a logo could be openly rebellious toward G-d. Do you know the story of where the rainbow came from? Noah's ark. The flood that wiped out the Earth's inhabitants and allowed for man to start over again. If you've never read it, you should read the story of Noah in Genesis. The Rainbow was G-d's symbol of promise to never destroy mankind with a flood again.
Basically, the Bible says that fallen angels were having sex with women, producing giants, and evil was in the hearts of all men. Evil is, simply put, the willful desire to sin (or to go against G-d's way). It is profound immorality. It led to extreme chaos...and ultimately destruction. Then came the flood. And finally when the water stopped falling and began to recede, a rainbow was displayed across the sky - a promise that total destruction by an Earth-wide flood would not come again.
So back to the rainbow...very interesting choice for people who choose to live contradictory to the Bible. It could be like saying, "You promised you wouldn't destroy humans with a flood again (in the Bible), and we want you to keep your word even though we are choosing to live in a way you deem immoral in your word (the Bible)." Or maybe the rainbow simply signifies diversity. I am not sure which is more interesting ... a modern comparison of our world to the world before the flood or the irony of the choice to use a rainbow to symbolize pride in homosexuality. I'm not bashing on gay people here, this is just an objective observation.
There are so many more interesting logos out there that are just as intriguing!! It makes you wonder about why people choose certain symbols, names and logos to represent them- do they think about the possible hidden meanings of these things first? I know this post is likely going to provoke some interesting conversation...so let's talk about it. Is this something you've thought about before? Does it matter? Do you completely disagree with my observations here?
