Artistic Symbolism in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 04 07 2018
As the women gesture to the image of what should be a person the inscription reads, "WE COMMAND YOU TO VISIT THE SICK RELIEVE THE DISTRESSED BURY THE DEAD AND EDUCATE THE ORPHAN"
They were founded in 1834. And once had ~2.7 million members, rivaling the Free Masons.
One of their first lodges was in Wisconsin.
I read about them today in one of those newspapers I picked up outside a restaurant in a small town in Wisconsin.
But why call yourself odd? Two is even and one is odd?
But what is interesting here is the symbolism of the work of art that is there symbol.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Order_of_Odd_Fellows#/media/File:Seal_of_the_Souvereign_Grand_Lodge_of_the_Independent_Order_of_Odd_Fellows.jpg
You have the women gesturing as if they are telling what should be the image of a man what to do. In that center you have a snake crawling around what would be a mans neck. And on top of what would be his head it looks like you have a little troll apprentice like figure pounding on it.
To me that is the symbolism of suffering from schizophrenia?
When that voice starts up my neck hurts. Sometimes my hair and scalp feel like they are being burnt. The pounding of a deep orangutan ape like voice.
Definitely worthy of more research.
© 2018 Thomas Murphy
Post Scripts.
At first when I read their motto was Friendship, Love and Truth I wondered if they are English homosexuals? What business does the concept of Love have in a Fraternal order I would ask.
*****'
Post Script. The name comes from them being in individual trades? Small businessmen perhaps? Forming a group to protect themselves economically from England Gov?
It appears that the founder was an orphan. Meaning no parents. Meaning just him, just 1. Again 1 being odd?
Some of it looks like it was meant to defeat the monopoly of the mentor over the apprentice? If so more power to you. But over time the meanings become contorted as with anything,,,people become members and assert their own will and beliefs in organizations? Sometimes directly opposite of the foundings?
General Grant was one. I don't like Grant even though I like the Union Army in the Civil War. Why don't I like Grant? Because of the way the War was fought. A lot of Irish fought for the North. And Grant, an English Surname, stated he wanted the war to go on forever so the casualties would be high on both sides. Would be interesting to research the sexual orientation of the known members for nuances off oddness?
Sure enough there it is!!!
https://www.google.com/search?q=was+general+grant+a+homo&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab
I would be willing to bet you a buck two fifty if I researched the other known members the data would pop up just like the above.