The Symbolism of "The Messenger"

The Messenger, 18" x 24", acrylic on canvas panel, 2016

There are a number of symbols and references in my painting of Jimi Hendrix. The numbers 6 and 9 represent Jimi's song, "If 6 was 9". The flaming heart is a reference to "the sacred heart of Jesus" which can be found on many pictures portraying Jesus. I certainly am not equating Jimi Hendrix with Jesus, but I DO believe he was a spiritual messenger, which is why this painting is titled "The Messenger".

This whole picture is influenced by Orthodox icon paintings of Christ and other religious figures, in terms of the composition, and also some of the design elements such as the halo, flaming heart, and the other symbols. Speaking of which, the symbols in the red and blue triangles represent the letters A and O, a reference to Alpha and Omega (sometimes used in Christian symbology); the symbols here are from the alphabet known as Enochian script. I wanted to keep this from being really obvious, and the Enochian script symbols make it more enigmatic which I like.

The flaming heart represents the message of love, the power of soul (coming from Jimi's lyrics). The eye in the triangle is NOT about the Illuminati; rather, it is "The Eye of Providence", or the eye of God. Jimi is wearing a yin/yang pendant, and has a tattoo of the Egyptian Ankh on his chest; both are to represent the universality of his message.

Observant viewers have also noted the small, somewhat demonic-looking face at the top of his hair. Honestly, I do not have a specific meaning for this; it basically appeared on its own during the process of doing the initial sketches for this painting, so there is no specific intent for this. That said, to me it would perhaps represent the intensity and ferociousness of his playing, particularly his solos on songs like "Voodoo Chile", "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", and "Machine Gun", among others. At his best, as in these examples, Jimi is in my opinion channeling higher cosmic forces coming from somewhere not of this earth. In the words of one of my friends:

"Jimi was a messenger of Peace from Another Dimension. He spoke through his instrument in a language unheard of."

 
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New painting, "I AM"

I AM, 18" x 24", acrylic on canvas panel
© Rick Jacobi 2015

The title of this painting refers to God's reply to Moses when Moses asks God what his name is. God, appearing as a burning bush, tells Moses that his name is "I Am That I Am" (also translated as "I Will Be What I Will Be").

There are a number of symbols in this painting. I have used the alchemical/tarot symbols for fire (upward-pointing red triangle) and water (downward-pointing blue triangle); these of course also represent male/female. Earth and air are also present, rounding out the four basic elements of alchemy and tarot. While this is not an image of a seraph, the six wings could be somewhat suggestive of that. The snakes form a vesica piscis. The glyphs on the winged triangle spell out "I AM" in "Enochian script", as developed by the 16th century English occultist John Dee. The eye in the triangle is often referred to as "the all-seeing eye". It has recently in popular culture become pretty well-known as a symbol of the Illuminati. However, it has historically been known as the eye of God, and is referred to as the Eye of Providence by the Freemasons.

We also see a number of UFOs in this painting-- this refers to the possibility of extraterrestrial "help" in the creation of life on earth, particularly human life. There is a mysterious glyph on the bottom-- this is something I came up with a while back-- it does not have a specific meaning that I am aware of, but it's one of those things that the viewer can "read into". I think it may have to do with the expansion and reaching out of the creative force, or something like that, which would make sense given the theme of this painting.

And finally, the eye in the center: this was not part of my original sketch, but it came to me late in the process. When it hit me, it totally made sense-- this radiant eye represents the all of everything that exists, the universal creator, a.k.a. God.

Nava Yoni

New painting, just finished. (click on the image to enlarge)


Jacobi, Nava Yoni, 18" x 24", acrylic, 2009

The progression of this painting from original sketch can be seen here.