Symbols on Song of Seven?

[hypatiamarshall]

Hey, does anyone know what all the symbols mean?

I get the star cluster, the Pleiades, and maybe some of the stuff that looks like something drawn by Michaelangelo. The "Olias" symbol is there, too, with Buddah, "flying saucer". But what does it all mean?

Jan in Erie CO

[Dakini]

I would imagine only Jon could tell us what they all really mean. BUT I wonder if thats Divine Mother on the front. Looks like some of the designs relate to the songs as well. Seven is a sacred number. At anyrate it makes for interesting cover art. Jon sings about Pleiades on City of Angels in the song Hurry Home. Maybe a letter to the galactic federation is in order...Jon is such a cosmic loving being. I think he is dialed into some pretty far out stuff.
only my opinion. and I might add I think it's all really good stuff !!

[hypatiamarshall]

You know, I thought that EXACT thing. But, he didn't meet her until just a few years ago, right????

I am going to ask on the southside list, and see if I get a response.

Otherwise, I may try NFTE.

Jan

I think you are right, Jan. I don't think he knew her when he did Olias. Then again, he's probably psychic. hahaha

[hypatiamarshall]

Where is Cherokee when I need her? She is the Yes expert...

Jan in Erie CO

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by Dakini
Jon sings about Pleiades on City of Angels in the song Hurry Home.

You might know that the Pleiades are a big favorite of New Agers. The lyrics to Hurry Home are more or less a direct transcription of the NewAgers' beliefs regarding those stars (that they are the place where we come from, that the Pleiadeans [?] are waiting for us to join them, etc etc).

It's becoming clear to me that Jon Anderson must have been a founder of New Age. I wonder how come no New Ager seems to know him.

WK

[hypatiamarshall]

Thanks, WhiteKnight!

Jan in Erie CO

[BrianD]

My wife has always expressed surprise about my infatuation with Jon Anderson as she regards him as a 'New Age' artist and she knows that I am not particularly interested in New age. She sees it as a contradiction - anybody else in the same boat?

I was thinking about that New Age thing some time ago in the context of Yes' long term influence on music. It came to me that this IS probably where they have been influential. The thought made me cringe. To think our boys would be considered the fathers of the New Age is somehow distateful to me. It seems to me that New Age music is a catch-all phrase for innocuous in its most sniviling context. So, BrianD, I can see why your wife would be appalled if she holds the same opinion of New Age as that.

The only way I can make peace with that idea is that other musicians, having been inspired by Yes--either directly or indirectly--feel a connection to that sound and want to try to emulate it. As they are never successful (in terms of comparing the quality of their sound to Yes), what is left is a bastardized version of the original idea.

That's what comes to me anyway.

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by yessiree
I was thinking about that New Age thing some time ago in the context of Yes' long term influence on music. It came to me that this IS probably where they have been influential.

Apart from Jon's lyrics, I think there's at least *one* direct relationship between Yes and New Age music, and it's the purpose of this music. Both Yes music and New Age music are intended to be healing, uplifting, peaceful experiences for the spirit.

Recall that progressive rock was born from rock'n'roll mainly on a change of purpose: while R'N'R was dance music, prog rock was intended to be listened to, not danced. In retrospect, one could say Yes was a subgenre in itself in that it was meant to be listened to for the main specific purpose above.

Apart from that, I'm not aware of any explicit connection (e.g., New Age artists that list Yes within their main influences, etc.). It seems Yes are still more easily remembered by rockers (for example, I know Yes have been mentioned as a great influence by Iron Maiden!).

(Up the Irons!)
WK

What you are saying makes sense White Knight--regarding New Age artists not citing Yes as an influence and that New Age and Yes don't have a lot in common.

I guess I was thinking in terms of the actual influence that a band like Yes--who they might influence--over the long run. As powerful as their music is, surely they have influenced someone. I see for example, Michael Jackson clones--all the new singers with their emphasis on dancing and the pop/r&b sound in their voices. Also I think about a group like Black Sabbath and how it's influence is still clearly seen in groups like Rob Zombie and many others. And I think about early rap groups--Chuck D and NWA and I see their influence on artists like Linkin Park.

So I guess I was trying to see just where the Yes influence has landed in today's music. Surely one cannot hear Yes in Iron Maiden. At least I cannot.

So, if New Age is not the child of Yes, what might be? Any thoughts?

[Jackaranda]

There is nothing new about New Age. It's been around in many forms for many ages. One can see how Jon's music can get classified in that vain. I call it Spiritual Music. I also consider Song of Seven a very strong solo album by Jon.

Ok, Jack. Then would you please offer your ideas on their lasting influence on music through the generations--as I have made comparisons with Michael Jackson and Black Sabbath above? Where do you see Yes' biggest impact in current music with the young folk? Surely a group as powerful and inventive as Yes has had lasting and profound influences on newer artists coming up. I'm looking for the influence that is pervasive--not just other prog rockers.

Any thoughts?

[Jackaranda]

I know we're getting kind of off the original subject of the thread here, yessiree, but you pose a difficult question. Yes' influence on other Prog. rock bands has been enormous--after all, Yes were the groundbreakers, and, as I've said so many times, Yes music is Yes music. It's more than the band or who is in it at the time. Obviously, you don't hear many singers today trying to sound like Jon Anderson, quite the contrary. Of the small amount of modern popular music out today that I actually listen to, one of my biggest gripes is the quality, or lack thereof, of the singing. Everybody tries to sound like Eddie Vedder, more moaning and screaming than actual singing. Great keyboard work is nowhere to be found. Guitarists seem to be more influenced about how loud they can play instead of melody ("just give me the three loudest chords you can play"). If Yes has had a lasting impact on music today, I'd say it is with the rhythym sections. But Yes having much of an impact on bands today, I really don't think so. Today's music seems to break down into three catagories: 1) Heavy Metal: 2) Teen music (Brittney, Backstreet Boys, 'NSync, etc..: and 3) Rap. Then there is modern country music, which sounds to me more like pop sounded in the 60's. So, sadly, it seems to me that Yes' lasting impact on music today is very little. Maybe others can give better examples.

That is exactly why the last few years has had me distressed about Yes. I truly LOVE this band. And that's why I've been pushing so much for new life to be pumped into the band. It's no knock on Howe or Anderson or anyone else in the band now or has been the last few years. They tried with Billy Sherwood and it didn't quite work, although OYE could and should have been a good album. I don't know why, but it just didn't work.

Saying Yes hasn't had an impact on today's music only speaks more loudly to the fact that nobody has ever made music like this band has. It's only because I love this band so much that I want them to keep on going, and as Wakeman said, carry on like a symphony that keeps new blood coming in but keeps playing the music, and hopefully will for many years to come. They need new life, a new direction, whatever, or they will fold soon. But one fact remains, Yes music is Yes music and even the Prog. rock bands that tried to copy them never came close.

I hope this has made some sense..???.... Jack

[hypatiamarshall]

A friend on southside told me a few things.

I will start with the obvious. The flying saucer does represent sort of a new age symbol. The pleides is mentioned in primitive cultures. I don't know if the 3 shape symbol was his creation: amalgamation of circle, triangle, and square. For the life of me, and I am embarrassed to admit this, after collecting most of Jon's solo works, I don't think I ever saw the square till now. hahahaha The woman is not divine mother, but that is an interesting guess. Many of the symbols are of course Christian in nature (Sistine Chapel image with God and Man).

Oopsss.....gotta go....more later....promise!

Jan in Erie CO

Originally posted by jack gowen
I know we're getting kind of off the original subject of the thread here

They need new life, a new direction, whatever, or they will fold soon. But one fact remains, Yes music is Yes music and even the Prog. rock bands that tried to copy them never came close.

I hope this has made some sense..???.... Jack

Yes, what you had to say makes sense Jack. Though I still can't help but think that there is something more. That's why I went for the New Age thing originally as I could not see any other area being influenced.

The one thing that I do not agree with you is that they need new life. I think they have plenty of life in them and that life is wonderful and whole. But that's just my opinion.

By the way, thanks for opening up the new thread on this issue. I think it could prove to be very interesting.



Originally posted by hypatiamarshall
I will start with the obvious. The flying saucer does represent sort of a new age symbol. The pleides is mentioned in primitive cultures. I don't know if the 3 shape symbol was his creation: amalgamation of circle, triangle, and square. For the life of me, and I am embarrassed to admit this, after collecting most of Jon's solo works, I don't think I ever saw the square till now. hahahaha The woman is not divine mother, but that is an interesting guess. Many of the symbols are of course Christian in nature (Sistine Chapel image with God and Man).


And thanks Jan for the update. Please don't mind my distraction from the topic. You're the correct one here!

[hypatiamarshall]

Cherokee is a long time fan of Yes. This is what she told me, because I didn't know who else to ask.

The stained glass look of Song of Seven represents faith.

Celtic knots are interconnectedness.

Yellow roses are a symbol of friendship.

Jon once said: All rivers meet in the same ocean. He felt that Buddah was Christ was Krishna was Mohammad...

There are 3 Tarol wands on the album. These could represent strength, commerce, and trade. Most likely, they represent mysticism.

The oriental woman is Kuan Yin, who is the Goddess of Compassion, who was even more compassionate than Buddah.

A rainbow can represent how we are all one family, despite different colors.

We don't know what the cuneiform tablet represents, although I knew it was possibly made by the Sumerian culture in Mesopotamia.

William Blake was a poet and artist. Urizen and his compass may represent reason, since Urizen was the "architect of the world".

Some cultures believe that mankind came from the Pleiades.

There is a deer with bluebirds on it's head. A deer is supposed to represent rebirth. In heraldry, it represents gentleness and a long life. The antlers are supposed to be the sun's rays. the bluebirds foretell happy conditions.

The knight's helmet may be protection.

The Zuni bear could represent wisdom and strength, or hibernation which is the connection between the unconscious mind and the spirit world.

This is a lot to digest! smile.

Jan in Erie CO

[Earl Grey]

New Age thought is older than God probably! Which would make New Age thought God! I guess...

I'll have to go ask Zuess about it...

Suess answers: "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish... This one has a little star, this one drives a little car... Oh how many fish there are!"

Now this thread is REALLY off track! Sorry!

Hehe!
Earlie ;)

[hypatiamarshall]

Thanks, Earl!

I will respond tomorrow. I hab a code! hahahaha I am slowed down........

Jan in Erie CO

[Earl Grey]

"I hobe you ged all bedder soon" (Ashoo! See what happens when you live in all that snow? It's raining here today in South Cal... Sunny California... haha! Of course 1/4 inch of rain and they think it's a flood out here!).

Earlie