Contemporary Icons

Bald Eagle:

The Bald Eagle represents long life, great strength and majestic looks. The reason I choose this icon is because it has been an Icon of the United States of America since 1782 and is a representation for freedom on which the country has laid its foundation on.   “Living as he does on the tops of lofty mountains, amid the solitary grandeur of Nature, he has unlimited freedom, whether with strong pinions he sweeps into the valleys below, or upward into the boundless spaces beyond.” (USA's National Enblem (n.d.)  Unlike other birds it does not flap its wings but instead holds them straight and soars across the sky, and because of its great strength it has the capability to rise above the clouds when faced with harsh storms.  This symbolic figure can be seen on the back of many gold coins, silver dollars, half dollars, and quarters, and remains as an Iconic figure to the American culture even to this day.  To me the Eagle is a is a symbol of courage and strength  as well as motivation of success when going through hard times because it reminds me that I am strong and confident and that I have the ability to rise above all of life’s storms and demands.

The Cross:

The cross in Latin terminology was a symbolic figure representing death in the most painful and harmful way.  The word used was crucifixion which meant “to fix to cross” and would consist of nailing or hanging someone to a cross and leaving them to hang until death.  Many thieves, rapist, and murders would face this harsh treatment as a way of punishment and execution for their wrong doings.  The reason I chose this icon is because I found it interesting how today in the Christianity religion the cross is used to symbolize the exact opposite which is God’s love and justice for human kind. It is believed that he sent his son Jesus who died on the cross as an intercession to protect humans from the wrath of God.  To me it represents liberty, justice, and freedom from the condemnation of sinful acts and serves as a reminder to the Christian community of God’s love and forgiveness toward them.  Many wear this symbol today as fashion apparel in the form of necklaces, bracelets, earring, or graphics on their clothing’s.  Some even get it tattooed on their bodies holding it sacred to their hearts as a permanent reminder. 

The Mona Lisa:

The Mona Lisa is a piece of Art Work created by the one and only talented Leonardo Da Vinci during years 1503-1506.  It is a painting of a mysterious woman dressed in Florentine clothing with a dreamy landscape visual as a background and enigmatic eyes giving it a heavenly mystery.  It is said that Da Vinci wanted to please her husband so much he decided to spend extra time perfecting the painting to reflect the exact beauty of a woman.  The reason I chose this icon is because over the years this painting has become one of the most famous paintings taking on an iconic figure representing beauty in the form of artwork and has been replicated by many around the world.  It can be seen in movies, in books, on the internet, on t-shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads and much much more.  In 1911, the painting was stolen by an employee at the Louvre Museum in Paris but was found in a hotel 2yrs later and returned to the museum.  Now the painting has its own climate controlled showcase room which was designed specifically for the painting and cost the museum over seven million dollars.  Currently it is stationed behind a bullet proof glass where over six million people from around the world come to visit it every year.  To me the painting shows The Mona Lisa a woman who clearly has imperfections because of her missing eyebrows but yet is considered one of the most beautiful women around the world.  It lets me know that imperfections are inevitable and that beauty is skin deep.