When we read an article about the Native Americans in class, and learned how they symbolized a circle, it reminded me of the "Round Table". I learned at school that, King Arthur created a round table which implies that everyone who sits there has equal status. It was used to prevent quarrels among his barons, none of whom would accept a lower place than the others. In other words, a round/circle table was utilized to bring peace and harmony to the meeting. Speaking of a circle, there is something similar to this in
Kanji as well. The
Kanji 和(
wa) means "peace" or "harmony" and the
Kanji for a circle =輪(
wa) has the same sound. Maybe it's just a coincidence but I think it makes sense, and our ancestors had a similar way of thinking as the Native Americans. What do you think?
PS. My Japanese name is 和男(
Kazuo), therefore when a foreigner asks me what my Japanese name means I say "A peaceful man"!!:)
Oh yes,by the way, if there's anyone who's interested in reading the book
Empire of Sings written by Roland Barthes-a French
semiotician who Dr.Armstrong mentioned, there is a Japanese translated version too called 表徴の帝国.
It is
reeeeeaaaaally puzzling but worth reading.
