Sicily Under–and On–Her Skin

October 11, 2011

Two years ago my friend Angela had the symbol of Sicily inked upon her.

Tattoo of the Trinacria in Sicily, copyright Jann Huizenga

She had come to one of those major crossroads in life, the kind where you step into scary, unknown territory.

She wanted to celebrate the moment.

Stamping the symbol of Sicily on her skin seemed appropriate, she explains, because in recreating herself, she had to start the inside, from her island roots.

She choose a baroque, feminine interpretation of the traditional trinacria (see flag below).

Tattoo of Sicily's Trinacria, copyright Jann Huizenga

What is the trinacria, you may ask?

The Kingdom of Trinacria–literally the Kingdom of the Triangle–is an old name for Sicily.

The traditional Sicilian flag has three legs (representing the triangular island), three stalks of wheat (representing the breadbasket that is Sicily), and Medusa’s face. Medusa was a monster who is used as a talisman on Sicily’s flag to protect the island from evil. 

Sicily's Flag, copyright Jann Huizenga

The Trinacria on Sicily's Flag

XXXXXXX

How have you celebrated or marked a major crossroads in your life?

***

Click to subscribe to BaroqueSicily.


Site Meter BlogItalia.it - La directory italiana dei blog