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Vol. 39, No. 3

Introduction

Just as in Terran culture, the MMoid culture uses a plethora of symbols to denote control, ownership, identity, relationships, and a myriad of other concepts. A complete discussion of the symbols used by this exciting and vibrant race would require an encyclopedia sized reference databank (see the author's upcoming new work, Symbology and Heraldy of the MMoid Culture, seven volumes), however, this article will provide the reader with a quick introduction to some of the most common of the MMoid national symbols.

General

    There are two salient points regarding MMoid symbology. First, the MMoids generally tend to use geometric forms for or as part of their symbology to a much greater extent than in Terran symbology or heraldry. Icons, pictograms, or images are relatively rare in MMoid usage. Second, except for the military and governing bodies associated with queen MMoids, the use of geometric shapes with acute angles is rare. Traditionally, sharp angles are associated with things threatening and dangerous (somewhat like the color red as a warning sign for modern human cultures). Conversely, the use of shapes with acute angles is common in MMoid military symbology.

    MMoid symbols, especially those for governmental units are normally displayed in public on placards, unlike the Terran tendency to use flags. These placards are typically mounted on buildings or placed on poles for ease of viewing. Unlike Terran's with their flags, MMoids have little emotional attachment to any one symbol. Symbols are simply an easy method for marking ownership or authority, not for focusing emotions and loyalty.

"National" Symbols

    Having been a politically unified race for hundreds of years, the MMoid Empire had no explicit symbol for itself, until after contacting other intelligent races. From the MMoid point of view there was no reason to identify the Empire as a whole, since it was the only one that existed. Markers and symbols for specific governmental and social organizations existed, but each was unique to a specific office or area of responsibility.

    Once other intelligent races were contacted, the need to identify the MMoids from other races became clear. In an unusually democratic manner, the Prime Queen allowed a general competition for the creation of the design. The final design was selected from among over eighty thousand offerings. The designer, Nu Mennaklik, an Artist, was rewarded with a lifetime grant to pursue the development of new art forms. The symbol itself, while somewhat lopsided by Terran standards, represents all six of the social colors of MMoid society, with the area devoted to each color approximately conforming to its social level (i.e., the higher the social indicator color, the greater area devoted to the color). This symbol and its meaning are still not fully understood or accepted by all MMoids, and its display is rare inside the MMoid Empire.

    The most commonly seen symbol at the national level, and one which is often mistaken for the national symbol, is the symbol of the Prime Queen. Technically, this symbol represents the Prime Queen. In usage, it is associated with her Queen Council, and with any official functions of that council. As this council is the de facto ruling body of the MMoid Empire, and this symbol appears on any national level government structure, document, or official product of the related offices, it being taken for the national symbol is understandable. The symbol itself consists of three parts. The encompassing green circle represents the planet MMoidholm, which was the only location for MMoids when the symbol was created. The green color itself is taken from the most common of the plants on the planet. The seven triangles represent the five continents and two major island groups (the two smaller triangles) which were unified by the Prime Queen. The central dark gray circle, represents the person of the Prime Queen. Dark charcoal gray is a color traditionally associated with higher level queens (somewhat like royal purple in Earth's history).

National Symbol

Prime Queen's Personal Symbol

Military Symbols

    The Holy MMoid Imperial Navy (HMIN) and Holy MMoid Imperial Army (HMIA) each have a symbol which is used to indicate that structures, vessels, or troops are under the control of one of these ruling councils. Of all symbols used by the MMoid race, the triangle of the HMIN is undoubtedly the one known by most Terrans, due to news reports on the movements and activities of the MMoid fleet. The Great Fleet of MMoidholm, although not well known to most Terrans, is the most prestigious of the warfleets in the HMIN. It is tasked with guarding the home system and its immediate area.

HMIN Symbol

Great Fleet of MMoidholm

HMIA Symbol

Reproduced for web display with the permission of the Interplanetary Xenobiological Society and the editors of the Xenobiological Quarterly.

To The MMoids

Updated 17 September 1999.