Since rock music invaded our lives, there is a sign that has made a spectacular entrance into planetary culture: the famous “sign of the devil”. You know, clenched fist, index finger and little finger raised. Add to that a furious and menacing face, and you have the total “heavy metal attitude”. But this sign… where exactly does it come from?
Easy, most fans will say: singer Ronnie James Dio invented it. It was he who replaced the famous Ozzy Osbourne as singer of the group Black Sabbath in 1980. It was he who popularized it, it is true, but according to his own words, it was a sign that his great -mother.
· Listen to André-Sylvain Latour’s full explanation on Marie Montpetit’s show via QUB radio :
In fact, if we go back a little in time, in January 1969, we can see it on the cover of the album Yellow Submarine, the Beatles. It’s John Lennon holding his hand high above Paul McCartney’s head. Also in 1969, the American music group Coven released an album dedicated to the occult and Satan. On the cover, two members do it very clearly.
In 1977, on the cover of the album Love Gun, the bassist of Kiss raises his fingers to hell. Moreover, Gene Simmons will try to get his hands on the intellectual property of the sacred symbol, which will be disputed by the members of Coven.
A distant origin
The horned sign dates back to ancient Greece, and the story is quite surprising. It all begins when King Minos makes a pact with Poseidon. The god raises a large white bull out of the water to be sacrificed. But Minos finds the animal so extraordinary that he decides to spare it, which angers the god of the sea. Seeing that Minos’ spouse, Pasiphaé, was exasperated by her husband’s infidelities, Poseidon decides an unconditional love for the animal in order to get revenge.
It is Dédale, an architect and artist, who designs a wooden cow, which he covers with an animal skin. There is enough space for Pasiphaé to slip inside. The bull sees nothing but fire… in short… you see the rest. From this improbable union will be born Asterion, also known as the Minotaur. Daedalus will then build the famous labyrinth to hide the illegitimate child.
The people find it very funny that their king was cuckolded by a horned animal. To make fun of his Minos, the crowds begin to raise their index and little finger to remind him of this disgrace. In fact, the index and the little finger are the horns of the bull!
The gesture then passed into popular culture, particularly in Mediterranean countries. For some, it is still an insult. For others, it is a sign that aims to drive away bad luck. Kind of like knocking on wood.
So, from now on, when you go to see a show, and you make the famous devil sign to your favorite group, tell yourself that deep down, you are yelling at them that their partner is unfaithful.. .
2023-08-11 19:32:09
#Origin #rock #sign #Devil #cuckold
