Sublime

Mercury Staff, a radiant staff round which there coils a black snake. Then one should imagine a shining snake that twines round in the opposite way. The black snake symbolizes the material thoughts which disturb us, as they are connected with our lower self, whereas the light snake represents the divine thoughts of the higher Self.

‘In addition to this figure symbolizing the human being,’ Elidir begins, ‘it also symbolizes the five magical elements we are made of – earth, water, air, fire and spirit.’ ‘And it symbolizes the five senses too, doesn’t it?’ asks Brendan.

Often, the best corporate logos echo ancient symbols. Apple’s logo, for instance, evokes the first act of rebellion in the Garden of Eden, a powerful distillation of the brand’s iconoclastic identity.