I wonder about that keystone too - its like a hand with seven fingers balancing a bar.
I wonder about that keystone too - its like a hand with seven fingers balancing a bar.
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I can see that imagery. However, FWIW, I counted 8 “fingers” on the version Cletus D. posted. Also I counted 18 stars. [There’s that “18” number which keeps popping up.]
Symbols are so universal, because it is possible to legitimately view them many different ways and still have all of those views valid.
What I am seeing in the symbol right now, is the “fingers” as you say, portray to me the lines of a column/ and architectural edifice. Strength. Power reaching back to the meme of the invincibility of Roman architecture. (Not seeing Greek, although you could argue that,) because they do not suggest in their logo the Greek capital form(s) of the column. They are trying to say, I think, “This is our strong structure and will last as long as the Roman Columns which have now lasted 2000 years and more. We will not be brought down.” (Just texokie’s thoughts here.)
Do not know what the 18 stars might mean. Departments? Numerological meaning? Who knows?
TIME INTERVAL^ ^ ^ ^ ^
As I was writing the above, it occurred to me that they might very well have explained it for themselves. Indeed they did, and I feel happy that my guess is in the ballpark! This in no way, imho, diminishes the visual interpretation that ichabod1 cited above.
https://www.opm.gov/faq/ses/What-does-the-SES-insignia-symbolize-2.ashx
“Question
What does the SES insignia symbolize?
Answer
The SES insignia or emblem represents a keystone — the center stone that holds all the stones of an arch in place. This represents the critical role of the SES as a central coordinating point between Government’s political leadership which sets the political agenda and the line workers who implement it. Members of the SES translate that political agenda into reality.
The upright lines in the center of the keystone represent a column in which individual SES members are united into a single leadership corps. There is no particular symbolism to the number of lines, which has varied over the years with different iterations of the logo. The SES insignia may not be modified. “
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Hmmmmm - so according to them, they say the lines do not mean anything significant, and they do not mention the stars at all.
They (SES) also have a FLAG - it has 13 stars around the logo to reflect the 13 colonies. Not sure why the insignia Cletus posted would have 18.
https://seniorexecs.org/2-uncategorised/452-the-official-senior-executive-service-flag
This is the blurb about the Flag insignia:
” What the SES Insignia Represents: The SES insignia or emblem at the center of the design represents a keystone – the center stone that holds all the stones of an arch in place. This represents the critical role of the SES as a central coordinating point between Government’s political leadership which sets the political agenda and the line workers who implement it. Members of the SES translate that political agenda into reality.
The upright lines in the center of the keystone represent a column in which individual SES members are united into a single leadership corps. There is no particular symbolism to the number of lines, which has varied over the years with different iterations of the logo. The SES insignia can not be modified and may only be used for official Government business.”
The symbols on the Wikipedia page show 7 lines, as compared to the one posted by Cletus. They do say in their literature that the number has varied.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senior_Executive_Service_(United_States)
It should be noted that on the Wiki page link above, there is mention of SES in other countries as well as in US. Not exactly an international organization..... or is it?