The Stoic Emblem

I've been learning about Stoicism recently. With graphic art and illustration my profession, I decided to make a Stoic Emblem. While it may seem a simple logo at first glance, I have imbedded many symbolic meanings within its form.

The general depiction is of the Primal Fire, or Logos - the Reason which governs the workings of the universe. The shape of the flame is based on three circles (see diagram at bottom of this post). The central circular flame represents the Divine Fire of the universe itself. The two circular clusters that spring off on the left or right side represent our individual minds (or souls), which are a part of the Divine Fire and spring forth from it.

There are four tips to the flame, representing each of the four elements in which Logos forms, according to the physics at the time of Stoicism's founding (fire, air, water, and earth).

The flame tips appear random at first glance but has been given an orderly structure. First, it's tips are at regular height intervals. From left to right, the first tip is the second tallest, the next is the shortest, the next is highest, and the last is third tallest. If you were to draw four horizontal lines at each tip, you would see that their heights are equally spaced. Secondly, each tip ends at the exact middle of the circular frame on which its lower portion was based. The reason for this is to symbolize the fact that, even in seemingly chaotic systems, there is an order and a Reason operating throughout.

The tips of the flame also point either left or right. There are two pointing left and an equal number pointing right. This symbolizes the balanced but opposing directions toward unity and division, order and chaos, which maintains the complex system that is the universe.

Behind the Fire are rays. These point both inward and outward, symbolizing the all pervasive nature of Logos in the universe. Finally, a circular border symbolizes the cyclical nature of the universe and the Greek key pattern represents the culture from which Stoicism was born.

Below are some other versions of the logo, for use on a white background, greyscale, or plain black & white. Please feel free to use the Stoic Emblem in reference to Stoicism. All I ask is that it not be modified (apart from proportionate scaling). It would also be nice if credit and/or a link was provided. Groups and organizations are also free to use this emblem, including in media forms such as web and print, as long as they don't give the impression that it is an emblem only for their particular group and as long as they don't try to copyright it (according to U.S. law, I hold the copyright simply by creating it). If anyone would like larger or higher-resolution versions of any of these files, please contact me and I will be happy to provide it.

(click to enlarge)



Update, July 2009:
This year I discovered that someone else has also been thinking of iconography for Stoicism. Erik Wiegardt, Director of New Stoa, has designed a symbol called the "Phenomenon of Existence" (POE), named after a phrase Epictetus used. It can be seen below. For a full explanation of the meaning of its components, you can visit NewStoa.com, see the Stoic Handbook, and toward the end there is a chapter called "Stoicism in 5 Minutes" which explains the elements in this image. There is also this video on YouTube.