I feel like I might lose my Prince-fan card for asking this, but what is the real story of Prince's symbol? I know he had that as an album title, and later changed his "name" to that, but, really it came about before both of those things. What is the origin of it? What does it mean? How did he come up with it? Any info would be much appreciated!

I can't explain it good (my english is weak), but I recommend you interview at Oprah show. Then you won't have any questions.

In the Kamasutra cassette cover it says "His most recent album at that time - will be a collection of love songs, mostly written 4 and about Mayte. And it will pose an interesting dilema: The album's title is an unponouncable hieroglyph that merges the male and female sex symbols 2gether.

Thus creating something that although Prince will use many times before, will now seen 2 represent 2 him - the perfect love. And yet, no one will know what 2 call this new symbol.

No sound seems fitting 4 what Prince will believe 2 be the melding of 2 souls that 2gether create one. So this day in Puerto Rico he prays... All alone staring at the ocean, he implores the heavens 4 the answer-

'What is the symbol? What does it really mean?'

A voice says 2 him, 'It's your name'"

swdee said:

In the Kamasutra cassette cover it says "His most recent album at that time - will be a collection of love songs, mostly written 4 and about Mayte. And it will pose an interesting dilema: The album's title is an unponouncable hieroglyph that merges the male and female sex symbols 2gether.

Thus creating something that although Prince will use many times before, will now seen 2 represent 2 him - the perfect love. And yet, no one will know what 2 call this new symbol.

No sound seems fitting 4 what Prince will believe 2 be the melding of 2 souls that 2gether create one. So this day in Puerto Rico he prays... All alone staring at the ocean, he implores the heavens 4 the answer-

'What is the symbol? What does it really mean?'

A voice says 2 him, 'It's your name'"

And upon reading these mysterious writings, fans in their droves collectively replied in one wordless, symbolic motion...

man and woman together with God voicing bliss thru the freedom of ones expression

Correct me if I am wrong, the symbol is waaaaaaaaaay older than Prince.

The one on erotic city cover and on his leather jacket sleeve in the movie graffiti bridge is like the old one. The current one since the o(+> album is more customed to Prince. I believe an ancient version originates from Africa?

Anyway I remember seeing old stones carved into that symbol.

I believe Prince adopted the symbol, its not his original concept or creation.

This Symbol existed Since a Long time ago. You can see that the motorcycle in purple Rain has the symbol All over it, And after the "When doves cry" scene you can see the Symbol In the Bridge, so The Symbol it's not A 90s Thing.

Well I'm not an expert but If U ask me I think that The Symbol Was His Name Til 2001 I think. He had Issues With warner and to avoid them He changed His name.

Now The Symbol mixes both the Male and The Female genres 2gether, And the Horn Represents Music. I think the He came with the Idea Of this Symbol Because he can be quiet Androgynous when he wants to.

I dunno the origin of it, Maybe He Imagined The Symbol Some day back In the 80s While he was liking his mirror...

I would love to post a link that shows the occult connection, but then" Luv4u" will be disturbed in his/her christian world outlook again, label it as "nonsense" and will close the thread immediately.

So i wont do this....

Oh, there is more, and we may never know exactly what and how. Check out this link and speculate...

http://www.navel.com/memb...age_05.htm

http://www.behance.net/gallery/PRINCE-The-Symbol-HDMG/974597

mitch monson

Minneapolis, MN, USA

• PRINCE
  The Artist Formerly Known as Prince // Symbol Design
• 
  
• In addition to working on a number of Prince music videos over the years, I was fortunate enough to collaborate with Art Director Lizz Luce to design the "Symbol" for "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince". The symbol's original use was for album and CD covers, but it eventually influenced custom guitars, concert staging and numerous other parts of Prince's performances and packaging

Vanilli said:

I feel like I might lose my Prince-fan card for asking this, but what is the real story of Prince's symbol? I know he had that as an album title, and later changed his "name" to that, but, really it came about before both of those things. What is the origin of it? What does it mean? How did he come up with it? Any info would be much appreciated!

It's the male and female symbols blended together to mean "love" and the curve in the middle is t... soapstone. Alchemy is defined as:

It's just freaking cool. That's all I know.

kenkamken said:

The male symbol O-> is Mars the god of war with his shield and spear The female symbol O+ is Venus the goddess of love with her looking glass of introspection Prince definitely has embodied the male and female in his songwriting, it's fitting his symbol is a combination male/female, love/war, introspection/action

Yep. It started as the male & female symbols together. Then he added a bit more to it later. Basically:

O-+ plus O-> equals O+>

Well someone explain the squigly part at the top

aardvark15 said:

Well someone explain the squigly part at the top

Check my previous answer

It's quite clear to all that he stole the symbol from the Granada TV ident used in the late 1970's and 80's.

google soapstone symbol

controversy99 said:

kenkamken said:

The male symbol O-> is Mars the god of war with his shield and spear The female symbol O+ is Venus the goddess of love with her looking glass of introspection Prince definitely has embodied the male and female in his songwriting, it's fitting his symbol is a combination male/female, love/war, introspection/action

Yep. It started as the male & female symbols together. Then he added a bit more to it later. Basically:

O-+ plus O-> equals O+>

Meaning I AM Every Wo{Man}.

MissRuby said:

I am just gonna throw this stupid question out there cause I have been curious for ages. If his name for a while was an unpronounceable symbol what did people in his circle call him when they were speaking to him. I mean surely they didn't say "Excuse me unpronounceable symbol" or "Good morning purple musical pixie" or "Would you like cream in your coffee sexy funk master"? Or was it like that Muppet Sketch with the symbol placards? That cracks me up every time.

Usually they just called him "The Artist"

[Edited 4/28/12 8:42am]

aardvark15 said:

OldFriends4Sale said: