Why did people like Nelson Mandela, Joan of Arc, Paul the Apostel, Princess Diana become iconic figures?

Question

Abraham, Mother Theresa, Albert Einstein... give me more examples.
What brought them to be never forgotten. To be famous for ever. To be icons?
What feature do they all have?

symanlegrix, I do not agree with you. But we are free of opinions are we not.

I know the list is odd, and I scrambled the names on purpose. And the list can go on and on and on. I mean these are all people who became 'famous' in their different ways in their different times under their different circumstances. And they all made their mark for ever. My question is what feature do or did they all have? Why will they be remembered for ever?

Answer 1

selflessness... they think of other people besides themselves... they think of making the world a better place, then they act upon their thoughts. many people think of others, but putting the thought into action is what causes change... and anyone who can change the world for the better deserves to be revered with praise.

Answer 2

Icons don't necessarily have all that much in common except some of the ones you mentioned seemed to make other people feel comfortable in their prescence.

However, there are many other people who would arguably deserve even more to be called icons who never achieve the level of fame they deserve because the way they are iconic may only appeal to a particular niche of people.

Answer 3

Your list is quite odd. But, each did certain things in their lives that were publicized and embraced, therefore leaving then in the memories of the public. And some of these people are only figures that are idolized in 1st world Western Christian Religions. Do we really think that the tibetan monks idolize Paul the Apostle? Do we think that Israelites idolize Joan of Arc? Do we think that a mexican fisherman idolizes Princess Di?

Answer 4

Jack the ripper. Sweeney Todd, for being cold blooded, and taking lives. Mother Theresa for being warm blooded and saving lives. Basically anyone who hits the papers these days becomes famous. If only for 30 seconds.

Answer 5

the common theme these people have is a strong integrity for the work they did even in the face of advesity and they did their work in a graceful unselfish way to better others. it sad that people would say princess diana and nelson mandela should not be recognized for the work they did/do.

Answer 6

Icons are definetely not extrordinary human...they are visions are extraordinary....one thing in common is the revolution that come with them...always in response to the precise needs of a society often oppressed or lost in insanity if not wars of power ...

Answer 7

Mandela and Diana certainly don't belong alongside of Paul and Jean. or Mother Theresa. Their myth was created by popular press and revisionist hisortians.

Answer 8

I don't mind them now, they are history today and have contributed to the world with their own ways, I've been wondering what we have done to make this world a better place to live, how we have contributed to the peace at least in our surroundings.

Answer 9

hi all....i deeply like ur little words about nature....i may memorize them....i find them in my heart and snaped with my eye camera and analized with my mind....i sit with the creatures, talk to the mountains and sing with the dancing flowers.

Refrence to ur Q coz they sacrifise whatever they got to make others stay on humanity features , get thier right and live in happiness.....

Then. Pami said something like before i drop my words.

for all....respects

Answer 10

They all achieved icon status because of things they did which ordinary people could,nt