Is there a single symbol that all Pagans would choose to represent paganism?

Question

I recently asked a question about pressing the VA to finally approve the Pentacle for engraving on the graves of Wiccan-American soldiers who have died.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnM.z6P7WcM0ckWjzBOIDdjsy6IX?qid=20070322114002AAvPLTS

One respondent reminded me to not "forget the rest of us Pagans."

If you were a non-Wiccan Neopagan serving in the U.S. military, what symbol (if any) would you want engraved on your headstone? Is the Pentacle acceptable for all Pagans?

Gemma: I personally agree with you and would prefer that the government not pay for emblems of faith. It only puts them into a position of approving some traditions and seeming to disapprove of others, and that's counter to religious freedom. I would prefer that the space be made available for families to fill as they choose (paid for privately, perhaps from funds set up by individual organizations).

Answer 1

Good question. Currently, the symbol of the Pentacle is being considered for Wiccans, but even the term Wiccan is an umbrella term, as there are Dianics, Gardinerians, Seax, Faery, Alexandrians and many more. Some prefer the pentacle, but there is also the Elven Star, triple moon and many others.

While some think the V.A. shouldn't be in the "business" of approving religious symbols, there are reasons for doing so. The most likely one is that they don't want people putting whimsical and possibly offensive symbols on stones in public places. One might think of someone wishing to place a phalus as a religious symbol of fertility on such a stone. It may be legitimate for a religion, but some woud consider it inappropriate on a public stone.

In any event, I think they are trying to balance the needs of servicememers with regard for a desire to not seem capricious. Still, with cases such as Patrick Stewart, it seems they aren't doing a very good job.

Answer 2

There isn't a single symbol that can apply to all Pagans. To tell the truth, there's plenty of Pagan religions that can't even decide on a single symbol for just their religion. The various forms of Celtic Paganism, for example, have 3 or 4 main symbols.

Honestly, if the fight over the pentacle is any indication, I don't think the VA is going to be much interested in hearing about other Pagan symbols. Unless something comes up that causes a large change to VA policy, it looks like us other Pagans are going to have to stick with the pentacle, at least for the next decade or so.

Personally, I would've preferred if the folks who fought for the pentacle had included a list of, oh, say, a dozen of the more common symbols - but I also understand that they stuck with the pentacle to make things go a little smoother. Had they been working with a list of symbols, they probably wouldn't have gotten as far as they have.

Answer 3

I would prefer the Triquetra. But I'm not in the military. The Pentacle wouldn't be totally inappropriate for me, but it means something completely different to me than it does to Wiccans. To me it's about self-determination and personal strength, while the triquetra is about the inter-connectedness of all things, which would be more appropriate for a headstone since you are no longer an individual when you die but a part of the All.

Although, in all honesty, I'd rather my body be used for medicine or science or education rather than stuck in the ground and wasted. But that's just me. To each their own and I'll fight for your right to have it your way. (I would have been in the military, but I wasn't up to their snuff. So I fight with words.) I agree that the VA should be out of the symbol approving business altogether.

Answer 4

Actually, there isn't any symbol that us a universally pagan symbol. Wicacns have their pentagram, Asatru have the hammer, other groups like the Hellininsts, or those that follow the Egyptian gods don't have a single representative symbol. It would be better for each group to have a recognizable symbol rather than a single universal synbol to represent them all, espeically as there is no realy unity between the various groups (or even within them in many cases).

Answer 5

Hmn. I personally believe the Pentacle is acceptable...

But the Asatruar may want a symbol of Mjollnir instead.

Those who follow Native American Paganism would probably prefer a Spiral or the Wolf's Cross.

Kemeticists would most likely want an Ankh for the symbol.

Perhaps the Triple Moon would work as well, especially for Wiccans.

Pagan's really more of an umbrella term, to be honest, but then again, if Christians and Muslims and Jewish people can choose one symbol to represent all of them, we should be able to, too.


- 16 yo Pagan

Answer 6

Having served in the U.S. military I can say that this issue is a bit of a hot topic with me. There is no greater sacrifice than giving ones life so a stranger can live. Such a sacrifice deserves the utmost of respect and their wishes should be honored with regards to this matter. There is no one symbol to represent paganism and I would think that with the diversity of paganism and neo-paganism puts the need to find one symbol as a waste of time. The families of fallen servicemen and servicewomen should have the right to choose whatever symbol reflects the faith of their loved one who gave of themselves more than most would be willing to do.

Blessed Be )O(

Answer 7

The pentacle has never had any personal meaning to me. I know quite a few others who would say the same.

I like the symbol of the four-spoked wheel (Wheel Cross, Odin's Cross):
http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/29/291.html
http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/sun.html
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usnc&c=words&id=10983

I believe in cremation rather than burial so the issue really wouldn't affect me either way. I have serious doubts whether all polytheists could be united under the same symbol. We are simply too diverse.

Answer 8

One of the points of Paganism is diversity. I don't think the VA should be in the business of "approving" what goes on the gravestones. It's none of their business what a person chooses to represent their faith. They should simply give a certain number of square inches on each stone for whatever symbol the family chooses, and be done with it.

Answer 9

Trying to get pagans to all agree on one thing is like trying to herd cats.

I concur with the posters who say that the military should allow a family to choose any symbol they wish for a loved one's grave.

Answer 10

I'm not a pagan, but all the atheists don't necessarily agree on the atomic symbol, either. Too bad the military doesn't let each individual or family choose what they want.