pin question
 

ok. this is an odd question that i realize i may not be allowed to know the answer to, and if so thats fine! im just curious!!! i was looking on ebay at all the sorority pins and such, and i noticed that SO many groups have a skull and crossbones on their pin, or that IS their pin. is there a reason this is a symbol for so many groups? once again, if im not supposed to know, thats ok :) thanks guys!

roxydiva

Normally, a skull is used to indicate protecting the secrecy of the order...it's Ritual, symbols, etc.....some organizations may use the skull for other symbolic reasons, but most often it's to remind members to protect the orders secrets.

LXAAlum, that’s kind of a superficial explanation and not quite correct (perhaps you intended it that way!).

Skulls and similar items have a very deep meaning, one which is common to virtually all of the many fraternities and sororities who use them in their esoteric work. Be happy to discuss in more detail, but not on a public forum.

It’s a good question, roxydiva. But the answer is that no, it's not really something you're supposed to know unless you're an initiated member.

wptw

Okay, then. I have a question, it may seem like i'm trying to start trouble but really I'm not. If those symbols are so esoteric and secert, why put them on public display? Again I am just asking.

It's not that the symbols are secret -- they just represent something that is. 15 sororities and fraternities could all have one basic symbol in each of their badges, but that doesn't mean that every symbol means the same thing. It's very possible that there are 15 different meaning behind the same symbol. See what I mean?

Absolutely right, dzrose. The Greek letters are also out there in plain sight, even though the meaning is secret.

Skulls just happen to be one of those symbols that are used by many groups, and that generally having the same meaning from ritual to ritual.

wptw

Also, skull & crossbones might make you think of Halloween and scary stuff so I am glad you are educating yourself to see it can mean a world of other things- positive ideals too!

oh.....okay. My fraternity doesn't have a secret meaning for our letters. Its spelled out on the coat of arms. I think ASA"s is too.

Halloween...or Pirates, since the skull and crossbones found on pirate flags is known as a "Jolly Roger".

Good one CutiePie! :)

Our crest spells out the open motto "Aspire, Seek, Attain" in Greek. It helps you to figure out Greek, actually! :)

Do unto others...
 

Cutie Pie-

I'm sure you meant nothing by it, but I'd rather not have a symbol that is rather important to me (and my sisters everywhere) be written off so flippantly.

And LXA Alum-please do not speculate on something that you are not entitled to know.

Remember the Golden Rule, and respect the ritual, symbolism, and history of others' chapters, and they will pay you the same favor.

crazyleggedsigma...

from semo? interestingly enough, i know some (or know of?) some tri sigmas from down in those parts... by way of an unoffical mixer a wee bit further north... (rolla)

:D

Getting a little rude and defensive, aren't we? :rolleyes:

Take a deep breath (and a chill pill!)

You know when you were pledging and you would speculate as to what they crest meant etc.? You had no idea, but I bet you had some ideas of what the symbols were/meant right? Well, you probably found out at initiation that you were wrong or that it is much more involved of an explanation than one could possibly imagine!

Take that to heart when trying to "figure out" the meaning behind other group's symbols...just as your speculations about your own organizations symbols were off, so too are you likely to have NO IDEA what other people's symbols really mean!

Just a thought ;)

My first thought when reading roxy's post was to say "secrecy." I think that is a generic, general speculation that is in no way negative. We all know we have our secrets. If we didn't, we'd all be one sorority or fraternity.

I would rather have people ask, speculate, and make jokes about it than not notice these things at all. What's the worst that can happen? More negative stereotypes against Greeks...well, for every one that dies, a new one pops us. That's just the way it is. I noticed that no one on here is saying specifics, so we have to be ready for speculations.

Good intelligent question, roxy!


On the whole secrecy/speculation thing....a lot of sororities sign theircorrepsondence/signs/whatever different ways. For example, the Zetas on our campus sign L.I.Z. for "Love in Zeta." Well, Kappa Deltas sign most of our correspondence that is public and private as "A.O.T." I cannot tell you the amount of crazy things that people think that it stands for. It's kind of fun because only we know the secret. :)

Well said, dzsaigirl.

But for the record, I wasn't speculating.

wptw