One of the most important key symbols for Webheads is the iconic Spiderman symbol. The symbol is commonly called the Grand Spider by Webheads, though it is just referred to as the “Spiderman Symbol” to those not affiliated with the Congregation. This symbol is a colossal part of their everyday life. How is this recognized as the key symbol of the Congregation of Spider-Sense to someone outside of the Congregation? We can evaluate the validity of this image as a key symbol using the principles detailed by Sherry Ortner in her work On Key Symbols.
Figure 1: Graphic representation of the Grand Spider symbol
The first part of Ortner’s definition of a key symbol is if the natives tell us the symbol is culturally important. When discussing the …show more content…
In speaking with Webheads, they will have the symbol displayed prominently all over their body. This is typically in the form of permanent tattoos in extremely visible places. However, one can only tattoo themselves with the symbol if they have served in the Congregation for at least three years. This is expertly tracked by leaders of the Congregation, often referred to as the Ultimate Fighter. It is a grand occasion when an individual is deemed eligible to have the symbol tattooed on their body. This is the most important restriction regarding the Grand Spider symbol. While the symbol often appears on Webheads’ bodies, it also appears throughout the buildings of the Congregation. Not only does an enormous copy of the symbol appear on the the front of every Congregation building, it is also used as door handles and is displayed throughout the building at large. Webheads will also display the symbol on their personal items, like bumper stickers on their car or Congregation issues key chains on their wallets or purses. As previously discussed, Webheads also bring the symbol into conversation whenever …show more content…
The symbol stands for the Congregation as a whole. While most individuals will associate it with Spiderman, Webheads will associate it with the Congregation and how the Congregation honors Spiderman. They see other people wearing the symbol as advertising their beliefs even if they don’t support the ideas of the Congregation. It does anger Webheads when others wear the symbol, but they do enjoy the publicity of everyone wearing it. The symbol is also prominently displayed throughout Congregation buildings, which shows in the space that the symbol is representative of the religion as a
Figure 1: Graphic representation of the Grand Spider symbol
The first part of Ortner’s definition of a key symbol is if the natives tell us the symbol is culturally important. When discussing the …show more content…
In speaking with Webheads, they will have the symbol displayed prominently all over their body. This is typically in the form of permanent tattoos in extremely visible places. However, one can only tattoo themselves with the symbol if they have served in the Congregation for at least three years. This is expertly tracked by leaders of the Congregation, often referred to as the Ultimate Fighter. It is a grand occasion when an individual is deemed eligible to have the symbol tattooed on their body. This is the most important restriction regarding the Grand Spider symbol. While the symbol often appears on Webheads’ bodies, it also appears throughout the buildings of the Congregation. Not only does an enormous copy of the symbol appear on the the front of every Congregation building, it is also used as door handles and is displayed throughout the building at large. Webheads will also display the symbol on their personal items, like bumper stickers on their car or Congregation issues key chains on their wallets or purses. As previously discussed, Webheads also bring the symbol into conversation whenever …show more content…
The symbol stands for the Congregation as a whole. While most individuals will associate it with Spiderman, Webheads will associate it with the Congregation and how the Congregation honors Spiderman. They see other people wearing the symbol as advertising their beliefs even if they don’t support the ideas of the Congregation. It does anger Webheads when others wear the symbol, but they do enjoy the publicity of everyone wearing it. The symbol is also prominently displayed throughout Congregation buildings, which shows in the space that the symbol is representative of the religion as a