Cross Balance

Symbols, Pictures and Acronyms

Another way of remembering things
is to associate them with symbols, pictures, or letters - as well as colours.
So I thought I would add a few of those
to help understand the ideas of faculties and temperaments.

Observation starts with an O.
The O can squash to form an eye, or a green leaf.
So as a symbol I chose a green circle, fading to white in the middle.
The real life object that seemed to be most appropriate
was the form of a green tree (with many leaves).
After all, I am a forester!

Application starts with A.
The A has the same angular shape as a red hazard warning triangle
– contrasting well with the gentle green circular symbol.  
Squashing the red triangle also forms a pointer, symbolising action.
The natural object I chose is a red apple.
Somewhat triangular, it is the fruit of a tree, requiring action to eat it!
Apple for application

Now to interpretation, beginning with I.  
A good symbol was elusive (just as good thoughts!)
– in the end I chose a symbolic rectangle,
blue in the middle and fading outwards.
Squash it one way, and it becomes an I,
squash it the other it is a square.
The real life picture is a cloud (like a “thinks” balloon) in a blue sky.

And lastly, E for expression.
An E, with three thrusting expressive arms.
The symbol?
Well, yellow seemed to beg for a star of many points,
and the natural object is the sun, or sunflower.
A nice contrast and complement to the other symbols and pictures.

An acronym for the faculties,
as the observant will have noticed,
is made up of the vowels used – AEIO.
And what about U?
That is you (or me),
in the middle of the faculties that make us into a person!

As we look at faculties, personalities, and characteristics,
I will draw other symbolisms with these aids to memory.
They have turned out to be great fun!  
But first, look at the diagram ( a “mind-map”) overleaf,
which brings together all the colours and symbols
to summarise the different faculties.