That symbol was there at least by 1999

The artist that drew Eddie for Iron Mainden had his symbol

We can look at stamps and tramps for a few hundred years

So. Is it a fish? Is it a name? Is it a self-identity?

Lazy artist and just convienent at the time?

I can say I had my own symbol before I ever got in to Prince. 2nd grade and I had 2 broken arms and still had to sign shit.

Out of all the keys on a keyboard- before the interweb- Prince figured this out

What does it mean to you?

What do you think it means to Prince?

Why yes... yes it is a fish.

A quick search will bring up this topic here's what toejam said:

Yeah, the symbol is a mix between the traditional male and female symbols along with and an alchemy/soapstone symbol.

Alchemy is the ancient art of turning base metals into pure gold (which is, of course, impossible according to modern science). For thousands of years rulers were always interested in being able to manufacture pure gold from everyday materials and would go to crazy lengths to try and find its secrets. Whoever owns the gold makes the rules so they say...

However alchemy is also seen as a spiritual journey. As alchemists embark on a life long task of trying to do something that is seemingly impossible, it is also a metaphor for turning oneself, your inner soul, into "gold". Hence the term "alchemy" has become synonomous with change/inspiration/growth etc.

It's interesting that there are a lot of references to "gold" and "alchemy" in Prince's 90s work - 3 Chains 'O' Gold, Goldnigga, The Gold Experience "...until the stud in your mouth turns gold" (Mad Sex), "... the alchemy occured most in the Muse" (The Rainbow Children) etc...

Not that I'm saying Prince knows the secrets of alchemy , but it's certainly something that he related to back then (the life long struggle between him and WB perhaps?) and incorporated into his music (and the now famous symbol).

slakk said:

Is it a name? Is it a self-identity?

Pretty much.

...and sort of a recognisable brand too.

good god...the sacrifice of victor book PLAINLY said what it meant....bastanza

KeithyT said:

slakk said:

Is it a name? Is it a self-identity?

Pretty much.

...and sort of a recognisable brand too.

I think it is the coolest superhero logo there is.