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New Logos From Hugh
Sharpe and Berkeley Fitzhardinge
| Descriptive Notes about this group of logos
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The Logo is based on the spiral form
which has significance in several places in the Edmund Rice Icon. The
form creates a link between the logo and the strong Edmund Rice focus of
the icon. There are two forms of the logo: a simplified version as at
the left and a detailed version.
The
colours used are:
Gold for the central core in keeping with
the use of gold in Icons to represent destiny/eternity/the spirit.
Red to represent our fire/flame of zeal, love and dedication.
Green to
represent our Irish origins as well as Hope and the Future -- concepts
that inform our personal lives and are also our main motivation -
improving future prospects for our clients.
Blue to
represent the light of day, the earth and an authentic human life into
which our members and our clients move with increased confidence. It
gives us glimpses of the ‘blue planet’ which underlies our works and
hopes, and a planet we are learning to cherish spiritually and
ecologically. Blue also represents our traditional devotion to Our Lady. |
White, Burnt
Siena and Brown represent the internationality of the membership
of the Congregation, (people of every colour). The colours also
symbolise the fields of our work: Those marginalised in the first,
second and third worlds of human development. In the simplified design
these concepts are contracted into the extra colour used (mauve in the
above example. Mauve is also symbolic of
respect).
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Shape and content:
The shape
is ovoid (egg-shaped) to symbolise the constant re-birth that is
a challenge to the members who will wear it as well as grounding
ourselves in earthly ministries.
The design
is not symmetrical to symbolise the complexity of living a lay
religious life with active ministry among those on the margins.
The circle
symbolises both the source and goal of our living: to deepen spiritual
values in both our own members and clients.
The cross
symbolises our Christian origins and goals. In combination with the
circle it also symbolises food and learning as well as commitment and
eucharist.
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The spiralling forms
represent flames of love, action, contemplation, dedication and
sacrifice. They can also symbolise the three vows as they enrich the
individual member and facilitate outward-looking mission.
They can also represent both members and clients in a
constant inwards and outwards movement – inward towards the values that
enrich life, - outwards to embrace humanity and its needs. The upper
smaller form can be taken to represent youth and care for the young and
the formation and pastoral care of our new members. The outspread and
embracing arms represent inclusiveness, working and celebrating
together, prayer and praise. The spiralling figures can also be seen as
bells, announcing good news to all: “to proclaim liberty to captives and
to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the
Lord’s year of favour” (Luke 4:18-19)
The three outermost circular shapes:
As well as humanising the spiralling forms, symbolise the importance of
communal prayer (a memory of the rosary beads which was an important
early devotion). They are also symbols of world cultures – the dot
painting of remote Australian Aboriginal Tribes, and the bead craft of
the African Masai. |
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Major design aims were to create a logo that:
- Is totally unique – a vital quality of a good logo. No logo is
immediately identified by observers. A good logo, though, because of
its unique design, involves a shorter learning curve.
- Has an inherent sense of movement ie is not static.
- Has a ‘wow’ factor – making people ask about its significance.
- Speaks to both the wearer and the observer of the aims of the
organization which are always in process ie inspires the wearer and
educates the observer.
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Logo 1
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Logo 2
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Logo 3
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Logo 4
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Logo 5
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Logo 6
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Logo7
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Logo8
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Logo 9
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Background to logos
Commentary on the Logos 35-38, following that submitted for Logos 1 – 9
on 14th May, 2005.
-- Hugh Sharpe cfc,
(H) In No.35, the lines forming the top of the logo are part of a parabola the
downward lines continuing to infinity. This symbolises the unlimited power of
God. The green area represents the green earth—the environment. The brothers
wish to protect it, a desire expressed in a document of the General Chapter of
2002. The Celtic Cross represents the Cosmic Christ and the origins of the
brothers’ foundation in Ireland in 1802. The red dove represents the Holy
Spirit—the divine flame in their hearts, their burning desire to serve God, his
people and his planet earth. The gold part of the rim is eternal life, and the
red section the brothers’ passion for what they do.
(I) The structure of No.36 is similar to that of No.35 except the emblems are
different. The Trinity is again expressed. The gold rim: eternity; the green
area; the earth, the Creator’s handiwork; the red flame: the animating Spirit;
Celtic Cross; the Cosmic Christ.
(J) In No.37 the green circle represents the earth, the Creator’s work; the
Celtic Cross: the Cosmic Christ and origins; the red ring encircling the world:
the all embracing love of the brothers for all of creation.
(K) No.38 introduces the colour, blue, reminding the brothers of the famous
photograph of ‘the blue planet’ taken in space by astronauts (1968)—the wonder
of these travellers at the uniqueness of the Earth that was still sustaining
them, and their concern for its future in the darkness surrounding it.
The others colours continue to symbolise the ideas already mentioned in the
other logos. The green complements, and highlights, the red flames reminding the
brothers of the Emmaus story: “ Was not our hearts burning within us?”
Hugh Sharpe cfc
Warrnambool, St Patrick’s Province
22-6-2005
These logos (1-9) have common elements which endeavour to convey in symbolic
form basic truths which prompt our living as Christian Brothers of Edmund Rice.
The positioning and choice of the colours is necessary for contrast and
symbolism but the tones and intensity are open to change if need be.
(a) The green within the circles and the circles themselves ( or shape, see No.
9) symbolise God, the creator, and his world. Green for the environment.
The Celtic Cross connects the brothers to their Irish beginnings and symbolises
God the Son, his teachings and sufferings. The circle behind the cross and
connecting its four arms is a symbol of the Cosmic Christ, the first born of all
creation.
The flame represents the Spirit who vitalises the lives of the brothers,
promotes brotherhood, their Emmaus journey. The brothers are passionate about
their life and work.
The Trinity – Father, Son and Spirit – form the perfect community. The brothers
live in community which provides temporal, spiritual and ministerial support.
Through this brotherhood they show that celibate life is possible. The various
circles symbolise completion, the eternal, the never ending influence of good
works and gospel vaues.
(b) In No. 3 the motto, “Liberation”, (or “To Liberate”) express their aim to
help to liberate people from ignorance and fear through education and good works
and to equip them for a satisfying life. Brothers also aim to liberate
themselves from any fear, addiction or whatever holds them back from allowing
God into their lives or prevents them from their quest for God.
The other motto, “The truth will set you free” is found in John 8:32, expressing
the same truth as liberation.
The spiral in No. 5 is Celtic in origin. It emanates from the cross, embraces it
and from it moves out, never ending, to influence all peoples, irrespective of
race, influence or wealth.
The spiral in No. 6 moves out directly in front of the cross to influence all
peoples. The nomenclature, “Brothers of Edmund Rice”, is suggested as the De La
Salle brothers are known as the Christian Brothers in several countries,
especially the USA and the Philippines.
No. 7 excludes words but the design still symbolises the Trinity and those other
allusions to be found in the explanations of (a). The three green intertwined
designs represent the Trinity and the environment as well.
No. 8 also excludes words. The Celtic Cross symbolises the Cosmic Christ, and
all that that implies, but it also represents the Creator, the world. The green
designs on the arms of the cross represent the Trinity and the environment. For
balance it might be preferable to have the flame in the centre of the arms and a
fourth green design at the bottom.
In No. 9 the shape aims to be less formal than the circles of the previous
logos. It represents a raindrop, or precious stone, reminding the brothers of
the Creator, the world, the environment. The structures of the Celtic Cross
(Cosmic Christ) and the flame (Spirit) who wish to create a design of third
dimension. “Edmund Rice Brothers” is a variation of the title used in No. 6.
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