What lies beneath: the nature of the x, the cross road, the crossing guard, the mark of the x and the magic of the nexus.
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
The symbolic allegory of the x mark.
When I was in Bali, I was surprised by the villager’s attention to the white flagged pieces of paper that hung over the openings of the traditional Balinese house.The idea of the talisman — a marking that comes from the form of transcribed magic isn’t something that is uncommon in that, or many emerging worlds, still holding to the mystery of scrivened emblems. Speaking with a friend of mine, long living in Bali — and who’d introduced me to the nature of these talismanic prayer flags — they are drawn by hand, created by priests and formally powerful. More, here.
But the implications are — drawn by hand — that these scratched icons have real power. To some, the idea of merely laying the book (above) on the floor was a risk — the amuletic power of the mystical phrasing and marks could “get away.” To get into a bigger analysis of the idea of the mystery of the written talisman would take more time that I’d imagine most people would be willing to explore. Another time, then.
But I am curious about the nature of the mark (X) — the transcription (the script that moves through) of an idea that creates emblematic power. The belief is held, and drawn form holds the attention of the believer; and in that compelling glance, the truth is told. Isn’t it so, that if there is belief, the conventional wisdom just might be transformed? Scene, seen once, will never be forgotten.
So I was thinking about this idea — and a letter of patent power for me personally: the x. Years back, I would find “x” and “o” stones for children and we’d call them magic stones, love stones – they were both the circle, something containing — like a ring; and they were marked in the x — crossing that ring, forming an enigma or formula of magic. Hold that stone, and surely good things will happen to you. Invariably, the children would come back with — “you’re right, something good did happen to me!”
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
Wishes hold.
But there’s more. Just today’s referential blog at Dictionary.com has a notation relates to the theme — the X of Xmas. Why there, the X — the telling: “You won’t find Xmas in church songbooks or even on many greeting cards.” Xmas, as a phrasing, seems the emblem of abbreviated materialistic intention. But the conceptual link to deeper meaning is closer to this wording, and the X, the heart of the symbol.
To Dictionary’s review: “the abbreviation predates by centuries its use in gaudy advertisements. It was first used in the mid 1500s” — and its legacy is alphabetic symbolism: “X is the Greek letter “chi,” the initial letter in the word Χριστός. And here’s the kicker: Χριστός means “Christ.” X has been an acceptable representation of the word “Christ” for hundreds of years.” This graphical device is known as a Christogram. There’s more to the abbreviataion — “mas” in Xmas is the Old English word for “mass.” The thought-provoking etymology of “mass” can be found here. And deeper, here, mass as the missal the sending of the prayer. The X connection links to “the dignified terms “Xpian” and “Xtian” have been used in place of the word “Christian.”
As a designer — and someone who prefers to look beneath the meaning of sub-context of everything, there is a compelling transfixion of the symmetry of the X — two strokes, the crossing guard. And the X does like to the symbolic notion of “crossing point” — seen commonly evidenced here, for example.
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
The letter, given symbolisms, crosses borders beyond the graphical meeting point — from the sanctum to the pornographic — (“rated X”), and what lies beyond, the unknown (“X-ray.”) “X” in Xbox? Find out more (dictionary.com‘s) about the 24th letter of the alphabet, here. Digging in, I’m finding layers of expansions — to the power of the x.
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
Here are some added definitions:
Walk the cross roads with me — X:
–verb (used with object), x-ed or x’d, x-ing or x’ing
Origin: 1850
- to cross out or mark with or as if with an x (often fol. byout ): to x out an error.
- to indicate choice, as on a ballot or examination (often fol.by in ): to x in the candidate of your choice.
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
X
- experimental.
- extra.
- extraordinary.
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
X
Symbol.
- the 24th in order or in a series, or, when I is omitted, the23rd.
- (sometimes lowercase) the Roman numeral for 10. Compare Roman numerals.
- Christ.
- Christian.
- cross.
- Electricity . reactance.
- Slang . a ten-dollar bill.
- (in the U.S.) a rating of the Motion Picture Association ofAmerica for movies with subject matter that is suitable foradults only: persons who are under age (usually 17) will notbe admitted. Compare G ( def. 7 ) , PG, PG-13, See R ( def.5 ) .
- (in Great Britain) a designation for a film recommended foradults only. Compare A ( def. 11 ) , AA ( def. 5 ) , U ( def. 5) .
- a person, thing, agency, factor, etc., of unknown identity.
- Chemistry . (formerly) xenon.
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
x
- ex1 ( def. 1 ).
- excess.
- Stock Exchange.
- a. (of stock trading) ex dividend.
- b. (of bond trading) ex interest.
- experimental.
- extra.
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
x
Symbol.
- an unknown quantity or a variable.
- (used at the end of letters, telegrams, etc., to indicate akiss.)
- (used to indicate multiplication) times: 8 × 8=64.
- (used between figures indicating dimensions) by: 3″ × 4″(read: “three by four inches”); 3″ × 4″ × 5″ (read: “threeby four by five inches”).
- power of magnification: a 50x telescope.
- (used as a Signature by an illiterate person.)
- cross.
- crossed with.
- (used to indicate a particular place or point on a map ordiagram.)
- out of; foaled by: a colt by Flag-a-way x Merrylegs.
- (used to indicate choice, as on a ballot, examination, etc.)
- (used to indicate an error or incorrect answer, as on a test.)
- Mathematics. (in Cartesian coordinates) the x-axis.
- Chess. captures.
- a person, thing, agency, factor, etc., of unknown identity.
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
X
Most English words beginning in -x- are of Gk. origin or modern commercial coinages. East Anglian in 14c. showed a tendency to use-x- for initial sh-, sch- (cf. xal for shall ), which didn’t catch on but seems an improvement over the current system. As a symbol of a kiss on a letter, etc., it is recorded from 1765. In malt liquor, XX denoted “double quality” and XXX “strongest quality” (1827). Algebraic meaning “unknown quantity” (1660 in Eng.), sometimes said to be from medieval use, originally a crossed -r- , probably from the Latin radix (see root). Other theories trace it to Arabic, but a more prosaic explanation says Descartes (1637) took x, y, z , the last three letters of the alphabet, for unknowns to correspond to a,b,c, used for known quantities. Used allusively for “unknown person” from 1797, “something unknown” since 1859. As a type of chromosome, attested from 1902. First used 1950 in Britain to designate “films deemed suitable for adults only;” adopted in U.S.Nov.1, 1968.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
The issue of the deeper symbolism of the X, speaking to the crossroad, is the larger metaphor — here, the idea of the graphical device represents a place, it’s where people meet; it is the intersection — the center of the universe of communing and community; it could be the marketplace, the nexus. But that idea of plane and place has magical import, as well — the X marks the netherworld where spirits can come, pass through, and exit the world that we know, and perhaps draw us into another.
The crossroads might be emblematic of the spiritual confusion, or the place of decision making — it is here that you’ll have to make the call to which direction you might hold in your heart. The X is the four points of the cardinal direction, it’s the place where all points of the sphere of being can reach back to the centerpoint of the locus — the locality — of where you are. In that, as well – it is the spheric and multidimensional conformed as one planar nexus — the point where things come together. Or come apart. As the planes touch, in that instant, the experiencer is neither in one world or the other — twixt and twain, in between and apart — the place of liminality.
Robert Johnson, the legendary blues guitarist and soul man, wrote the lyrics to a song that speaks to the x’d passage of the crossroads.
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Asked the lord above for mercy, save me if you please.
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.
Im going down to rosedale, take my rider by my side.
Im going down to rosedale, take my rider by my side.
You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy willie brown.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy willie brown.
And Im standing at the crossroads, believe Im sinking down.
There are similarly mythic approaches to the conception of meaning here, Wikipedia (along with more, on the crossroads symbology) offers a deviled cant, potentially, the crossroads is the point — the X point — that “is particularly pronounced in conjure, rootwork, and hoodoo, a form of African American magical spirituality. In conjure practice, it is said that in order to acquire facility at various manual and body skills, such as playing a musical instrument, throwing dice, or dancing, one may attend upon a crossroads a certain number of times, either at midnight or just before dawn, and one will meet a “black man,” whom some call the Devil, who will bestow upon one the desired skills.
Evidence of this practice can be found in 20th century blues songs, such as Sold It to the Devil by Black Spider Dumpling (John D. Twitty). Although many modern listeners believe that the premier song about soul-selling at a crossroads is Cross Road Blues by Robert Johnson, the song may be a description of standing at a cross roads and trying to “flag a ride” or hitch-hike; the sense of foreboding coming from the singer’s apprehension of finding himself, a young black man in the 1920s deep south, alone after dark and at the mercy of passing motorists.[1] Others believe Robert Johnson sang this song in regards to the deal that was made with Legba in which Johnson exchanged his soul for his extraordinary guitar skills that seemed to appear suddenly. It should be noted, however that the idea of selling your soul for instrumental skills pre-dates the American South as several virtuoso classical musicians such as Paganini had stories told about selling their soul for music prowess (and that story may reference back to medieval troubadour doing something similar). The selling your soul for guitar power story has become a staple in both rock and metal guitarists.”
Girvin imagery | screen or site shot from handheld
What I might offer is that the idea of the X — the X-Factor — is that the power of the character lies in the method by which it is drawn — it crosses space, it marks time, it defines confluence, things come together, intersect then depart, it flattens the dimensional and it creates visionary form where the imagination strikes.
Personally, the X is a letter, a legacy, a concept of fascinating dimension. I’ve been shooting Xs forever — and I’m thinking about a book — the Xbook.
Your take, to that — would you like to read, and to see, more?
Tim
….
GIRVIN | STORIES ABOUT BRANDS
BRAND EXPERIENCES THAT ARE STORIES
the reels:http://www.youtube.com/user/GIRVIN888
girvin blogs:
http://blog.girvin.com/
https://tim.girvin.com/index.php
girvin profiles and communities:
TED: http://www.ted.com/index.php/profiles/view/id/825
Behance: http://www.behance.net/GIRVIN-Branding
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tgirvin/
Google: http://www.google.com/profiles/timgirvin
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/timgirvin
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Tim-Girvin/644114347
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seattle-WA/GIRVIN/91069489624
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tgirvin
I use X’s in my paintings over the last 10 years especially….your writing has given me insights into the mysteries of why I do. Thank you.
So XXX relates to God? And the X- Men are creatures made in gods vision? How does X equal christ?
I’m not sure that, anywhere in this blog, there is a reference that X=God or Christ for that matter.
But there are alignments, which you might know about.
Here are some points, which you might be referencing: Xmas is a common abbreviation of the word Christmas. It is sometimes pronounced, but Xmas, and variants such as Xtemass, originated as handwriting abbreviations for the typical pronunciation. The “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, which in English is “Christ”.
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading.
I try to pay attention to little things around me. This morning as I was doing my devotion with GOD, HE answered a prayer immediately for me, HE wows me a lot, so feeling deep and spiritual with HIM when I was looking at my ceramic tiles I noticed a couple of x’s, over the past couple of months I have been seeing them everywhere, in the clouds, in a picture I took of my grand and in my tiles. I thought , is my life about to be x’ed out, just what is the symbolism of the X ? Thank you for your time in searching this, then sharing it with us. This went right alone with my answered prayer this morning. Thank you again.
Please contact me. I’m very interested in what’s been shown to you about the x. Thank you
William, I missed this note on the X-insights, from you. Reach back, as your time allows. T | Seattle Waterfront
I’m happy that you look into the little things, isn’t it so that the mysteries lie there–the tiny things that many miss. But not you! Awesome–all around.
I am seeing double XX everywhere and its driving me crazy because I know there is a message but I cant find it.
Thank you for this detailed and fascinating explanation!
What about if u asked a thing of had it’s very large and tall claws and raws I heard it once when I was during from to much meth at once I felt my brain shutting as I sat and a massive bang on the wall followed by a raw I shit fear and emotions are absolute when high I shit ran hidden under blanket and real8sed the feeling in my mind was gone nearly sober I was I asked to hurt my partner I walked out of bathroom after ragging anger filled argument she then screamed a mark a curved x was on her leg,I called her crazy she sware it was not her I like and feel see but don’t fear the after life that’s around us all if u a free not mind fucked or subliminally controlled lol yes it’s all real I’ll c one day if I care any way I said do it again I then watched it three lines began to weak blood on her back I walked out like wtf every hair it’s energy was so strong I could feel it all in the house my fear I had to controll the spark it put in me my so was inside being created at the time was born with autism not for that reason we have the love and patiatent s to raise him for life a gift I was given I Belgrave as I look around and see all 90 of these kids with the love the need left with cares but he puts that mark every where in the house in graved I see it drop two bits of wire and lands perfectly as it mark3s it anyone tell me or have seen this it never tried to take me even if iv astroltravelled I use to get scar3d it would jump in while I was out but never did use to test it go farther away from my shell I own in this life. It looks at children if i say make him laugh they will look right up and laugh any child. Saved my sole from being put I’m a mental itertunion when I got a phone call from a random voice it triggered a panic attack I ran thinkn I was being tawrned by people in cars like in movies when old mates running for his life though the Bush tawrned by them voices saying your dead woggy where gonna get u this happened for 5km till I could not run I gave I remembered I asked it to leave me when i went to god I was asked they did not belive it was my protected it was trickery in there eyes so I looked up and asked it demon or angel please come to me now I need u instantly it stopped instantly all this is true I do not like to write or read but I’m a realist a thoryest always have since I was young iv only Eva cared for what is true not what is a disere trickery I say distraction any way I like to write only if it’s been told to me like whispered in my ear I think any way never reaseached any of my things that pop in my mind to perfectly write out like iv read it or been told of it some don’t eve n come up on goggle so I did not try to search any of my theros but those who iv told only if I’m high it gives me confidence to come out and say what I won’t to most people think I’m dumb because I don’t think about all the bullshit that mean nothing in the end it will take u out any way about that mark let me kno w if u ate keen to here my theros on behind the scein no cares for dye to there sublimely controlled since birth the got stuck and led to belive in what’s told and is set on a path in l8fe
Very interesting…hmm
Silent, listen look closely–Actually, I’m not sure of what you’re trying to say here–to the X? In a bad experience, you saw a curved X on your girlfriend’s, who was not your girlfriend, leg? Help me out and keep your comments on my blog notes focused on what the subject is — that would help me grasp why you’re commenting on this blog. Thanks for that. T | Seattle Waterfront
Hi! Just to add some info. I needed to use the “X” symbol in a graphic art and stumbled upon an article about the symbol X and this symbol goes as far back during Nimrods time and I was so shocked because I am a Christian. You also see it in bands that glorify Satan as well. But this article will shed some true light…
http://searchingthescriptures.net/main_pages/answering_cults/jehovahs%20witnesses/gods_name_was_it_revealed_in_scripture.htm.
I was brought to the page thinking of the number of the beast in various was…such as not looking at it six six six I look at it as six hundred and sixty sixty and divided it by the number of alphabet letters wich was 24 the letter X still don’t know what it means but I hope to find out.
Hi Rebecca, you have two comments. One is that I might suggest that your idea of dividing the number 666, by 26 [not 24,] the number of the letters in the alphabet, gives you 25, which is the character “y”. I look at that as a pathway symbol, as well–it is the path that splits, which is what it says as a mark–“now you’re here, which way are you going?” That is different that the power of the x as the crossroads symbol, since the x is the mark of the crossroad, which is the meeting place and a point of multiple choices. I don’t believe that the x symbolizes the Beast, as you put it, presuming you’re meaning Satan. You could actually say that the cross X is closer to the original cross of the crucification–two poles in the ground, set diagonally. The original crucification could be said to happen in many ways, as a form of extreme persecution — on a single pole, an X or a T. You might know that the word “excruciating” comes from the same word root: crux. The most ancient symbol of the devil is the alchemical mark for sulphur: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Alchemy_Sulfur_Symbol_used_by_Satanists.gif
wishing well, eXplore as you will, Tim Girvin | Seattle Waterfront
Six hundred and sixty sixty divided by the number of letters in the alphabet is x . I just looked that up and was also now interested in the letter or symbolism of X
Infinity,eternal,immortal LORD OF HOSTS = X
NORTH,SOUTH,EAST,WEST is infinite direction.you can form X in two word HOST by correct arrangement in infinite direction.you will be amazed if you found it.
On the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Revelation 21:13
Host = flock
X = 10 Roman numeral
X = Ten Commandments of God
X = Ten fingernails
X = go to the world and multiply
X = Jesus Christ on the cross
X = 24 letter of English alphabet. 24 elders
X = at the end we face to God. If you face to each other then connect your right to his
Right and to the left it will form an X.
Hope gives help….
Very engaging and enlightening, thank you so much