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Famous Eyes
The Mysteries of Fame

Today’s pop music culture is increasingly opening a window to The Mysteries. What Mysteries? The mysteries of ancient cultures, with a strong focus on the most mysterious of all – Egypt, Babylon and their symbolism.

Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Jayz, Kanye West and friends are currently at the top of the pop culture phenomenon which could be called the fame pyramid, looking out from the all seeing eye on their audience. One eye, gloves, baphomet, pentacles, Saturn, halo’s, pyramids, checkered floors are just some examples of the increasing use of symbols in music videos. These have been used before in the past by musicians, including the ultra famous David Bowie and Madonna. Recently they are becoming more prominent and frequent by pop-artists.

From a strictly marketing perspective, this symbolism could be placed strongly in videos to capture the wonder and curiosity of the audience. Fame, and super-stardom after all, is dependent on the audience wanting to know more about an artist. A factor strongly relating to the fusion of their persona with their art. This then develops an image of who they are, much like a symbol. The power of their image therefore holds meaning that relates to the viewer, yet still contains distance enough to continuously offer more interpretation. There’s more to unfold. The human persona therefore becomes the symbol to be interpreted.

To be a player in the high-end world of pop culture, a musicians impact is not only dependent on their music, but the symbolic representation of who they are. Increasingly the persona is uniting with powerful, symbolic imagery through photography and video to create an illusion of grand proportion.

Today’s pop artists reach heights of recognition and wonder akin to the mythology of Gods and Goddesses in ancient times. Who they are spans the globe connecting to the minds of billions. Concerts are designed to be an almost mystical experience with the star nearly being glorified as a God or Goddess. There is no coincidence in the use of the term “star” to label these artists. We’ve long been fascinated in wonder about the heavens. In the celtic druidic tradition, the Bard was the musician who shared the mystical stories, divinity, and were the tellers of the sacred stories of the mythological heroes. Now the musical artist, has become the story as the mythology surrounds who they are.

Much has been said and done in the industry and little is shocking or controversial these days. The appeal to the audiences desires of wanting to know more must be continuous, and reinvented regularly to keep things interesting. The general public are slightly familiar with some symbols in passing, yet vaguely aware of their meaning. This sets the perfect stage for mystery to provoke their attention further while also becoming a means of communicating with the audience in a subliminal way. Art by its very nature holds a variety of meanings and a lot of mystery dependent on the eye of the beholder.

When The Secret came out, it created quite a stir. It spread like wildfire, just as gossip does. We know, after all, pop culture is largely based on gossip contagiously spreading from one medium to the next, gaining interest along its path.

Gossip popularity reveals the human condition – peoples natural need to know more, and marketers take advantage of the opportunity. The Secret, certainly was named with clever marketing appeal. Everyone just had to know what the secret was right?

Now the secrets are embedded in lyrics, video’s, fashion and musicians personas. Often they are hidden in video’s only apparent to the analyst while others are dominantly apparent before the viewers eyes.

One can not know for sure who is the catalyst for the use of the mysteries in pop culture, whether it be artist, producer, cinematographer, collaborative development or other. What we do know is they are present, and considered an important part of today’s pop industry attraction. It’s not a fad that ancient culture’s symbols have been fascinating people for ages.

To perceive positively or negatively. It’s a matter of choice.

Where mysteriousness is present, conspiracies will assuredly follow in the mainstream and not surprisingly are easy to find. Remember also that conspiracies are often interpretations of bias meant to compartmentalize the subject into an ideology, depending on the interpreters personal and religious world view. Most usually the nature of a conspiracy theory is a negative message in general.

Are producers simply interested in ancient cultures? Are they interested in magical practices? Some say their magic isn’t limited to marketing the artists through the development of a mysterious persona; some believe they are using the symbols in video’s as part of powerful ritual magic. Others feel those in charge are freemason’s who have the knowledge and intention to convey the subliminal meaning of the symbols.

According to current conspiracy theories, Lady Gaga is considered the poster child for the Illuminati, and Beyonce’s alter ego Sasha Fierce is possessed by Lucifer. People are now wondering if the “good girl gone bad”, Rihanna, has actually gone to the dark side and is possessed by demons. From his Rocawear line designs, his seemingly contagious use of the pyramid sign (diamond), to his “secret” handshakes with Kanye West and his continuous, obsessive reference to the Rockefellers, JayZ is touted as a Freemason.

Conspiracies usually elaborate on fearful interpretations, and swing either way in terms of lack of awareness to the “highly illuminated”. One must ask the question though, where are those beliefs rooted from, and how are they used to influence the interpretation of the symbolism. Are those who use them, compartmentalizing the symbolism according to their own intentions and thus creating an illusionary meaning based on their ideologies?

In terms of conspiracies, it can not be known for sure who chooses to develop the popularly interpreted meaning, which is usually the negative interpretations as conspiracy theories go. Are the negative interpretations what the artists and producers are interested in projecting – an underlying conspiracy? Is it the viewer who is interpreting the imagery from the perspective of fear that are overshadowing the symbolism? Or are both sides lost in their ideologies that blasphemes the sacredness of ancient cultural spirituality and knowledge in sacred symbolism, veiling it in false views? Are the nature of the symbols being twisted for Dark Arts or are these people deeply interested in the shadow side of reality? Is it simply a natural aspect of art to incorporate symbolism.

In the West money is by far the most popular symbol. Is the use of the pyramid by today’s artists strictly representing money and thus what money can represent for power, the elite class, or negative connotations? Or are they praising their good luck, freedom and ability to enjoy the pleasures money can afford? Is the symbolism of the pyramid being referenced in pop-media as extensive as the ancient mysteries cosmology and mysticism of Ancient Egypt, the Trinity of Christian mysticism or Masonry? Does the one eye open and the other closed symbolize big brother, does it hold a universal symbolism depicted in the eye of horus or does it represent harmony of opposites, as can be seen in depictions of the Anima Mundi?

We may not know the real reason for the increasing use of the symbolism. Is it for enjoyment? Do these stars have a genuine interest in ancient symbolism? Do they really know the deeper meaning or are they playing it at face value? Are they simply doing it for controversy? Or again, is it back to marketing the mysterious?

Universal archetypes are by their very nature complex, with deep meaning, which is why they are mysterious and can not be easily compartmentalized into one interpretation.

One can be assured, from the perspective of authentic ancient cultural symbolism, any mainstream fearful interpretations are falsely being abused. Ancient mysteries and their source are, at their very essence, about the ascension to the Limitless Light of the Divine, the source of all reality. This Source is expressed in exoteric terms by religions in various ways, and in pop-culture, but at it’s very core, at it’s esoteric essence, anything that is truly spiritually based is authentic Oneness with Divinity.

We invite you to share and analyze video’s, and artists persona’s. Provide your opinion on what these artists are now utilizing as a driving force to not only capture their audience curiosity but to also bring ancient cultural symbolism to the mainstream. Suggest your own videos, as a spot the symbols Feature.

also see Halo. Ego on Beyonce here

Alejandro Symbolism

To read more recent posts on Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Beyonce, Jay Z, symbolism do a search on this site for listings, or visit the Symbolic Living Forum Arts and Entertainment section here.

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