Monday, January 25, 2010

Sicily's Legs

On the Italy and Greece Discovery Student Adventure, students will encounter not only people and places, but also cultures, traditions, and symbols that are a part of the destination’s true character.

The symbol for Sicily, the Trinacria or Sicilian Triangle, is a symbol you will grow accustomed to as you explore Mt. Etna and the surrounding area. You will find it proudly displayed everywhere, from parliament banners to popular souvenirs, and eventually may become very curious about what it stands for — I know I did.

There are many interesting answers to the question, and thousands of interesting Google results, however this is my favorite: the three legs symbolize the continual cycle, or running, of nature. The three legs represent the three promontories of the island; the head in the center — now reduced to a more benign, maidenly figure — once was the head of Medusa. Medusa represented the more destructive side of Athena, the patron goddess of the isle, but seemed a bit too gruesome for more modern versions. The snakes that were Medusa’s hair, which now seem to be more stylized curls, grasp sheaves of wheat to represent the fertility of the island.

The symbol itself truly represents the fertile history and experiences that you can find on Sicily, as well as the rich vibrancy of the culture.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Learn about Discovery travel