Very nice poem. And yes, the X was for Christians and the O was for Jews. Not only is that where we got hugs and kisses, it's also where we got tic-tac-toe. The "mark" of your religion was also for signatures because literacy was illegal for a long time in many places, so people couldn't write their name.
J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
I'd heard that history of O is apocryphal, but it could be. Of course, the X or cross was used centuries before the time of Christ, they "borrowed" it! I find the history of words, holidays, and traditions fascinating! Thanks for sharing.
It does make sense. Lots of things do once you find out the origins. As you probably know, what with so many stories having at least a kernel of history in them!
Writers' Pantry #52 https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2021/01/writers-pantry-52-years-beginning.html I've been playing with some new, to me, poetry forms. April is the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and my plans are A-Z of poetry forms. I like to get a head start, especially since I also participate on my other blog. This is a Golden Shovel. It was created by Terrance Hayes, an award-winning poet and professor in New York. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/terrance-hayes The "rules" are: take lines, or one line, from an existing poem take each word and use it, in order, as an end word in your new poem give credit My poem uses the words from the last line of Edna St. Vincent Millay's Time Does Not Bring Relief (Sonnet II), "and so stand stricken so remembering him." I had told him “yes” already, and it’s too late to change that now, so I let my words stand though I am stricken at the thought. I am so cr
Weekly Scribblings #45: https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2020/11/weekly-scribblings-45-artistic.html A picture prompt this week, prose or poetry inspired by one or more of three paintings. I chose two, 'Beautiful, YOU are' by Magic Love Crow, and 'Carnival Dreams' by Shelle Kennedy. 'Carnival Dreams' by Shelle Kennedy Beautiful, you are, though your thoughts are dark, and bitter. A macabre carnival of emotion battles in you. The heart you wear belies the fury of the one that beats. Your face tells. Tells of suffering, loneliness, too much despair in one so young. One still hoping. Yet not daring to hope. Hope! The red balloon you cling to. Hope! Straining skyward. 'Beautiful, YOU are' by Magic Love Crow Look outside the gates. Outside your grim carnival and watch the crows at sunset fly in
Good point!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Actually, the origin makes sense. It has to do with kissing the cross, as well as the symbol X for a signature, then kissed.
DeleteVery nice poem. And yes, the X was for Christians and the O was for Jews. Not only is that where we got hugs and kisses, it's also where we got tic-tac-toe. The "mark" of your religion was also for signatures because literacy was illegal for a long time in many places, so people couldn't write their name.
ReplyDeleteJ Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
I'd heard that history of O is apocryphal, but it could be. Of course, the X or cross was used centuries before the time of Christ, they "borrowed" it!
DeleteI find the history of words, holidays, and traditions fascinating! Thanks for sharing.
Totally makes sense! I have always wondered about this.
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary
It does make sense. Lots of things do once you find out the origins. As you probably know, what with so many stories having at least a kernel of history in them!
DeleteI think you've called this one correctly! And made me smile to boot.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete