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[–]magnora7 5 insightful - 3 fun5 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 3 fun -  (11 children)

A bit unrelated to the philosophy of it, but the name "fascism" itself comes from the tool used to execute people by the Roman State, a giant axe with a handle made of a bound bundle of sticks, called a "fasces", which is actually twice on the wall of the US house of representatives behind the speaker podium... https://www.quora.com/In-the-US-House-of-Representatives-why-are-there-maces-on-the-wall-behind-the-Speakers-podium

[–]Chipit[S] 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (10 children)

It wasn't used to execute people, it was a symbol of power, carried in front of the consuls.

[–][deleted] 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

/u/magnora7 may be correct. It could have been used for executions before the republic.

The fasces were a symbol of authority, but the precise meaning is unknown. It is often claimed that the rods could be used to lash people, and the ax to execute them. This may have been true in the days of the monarchy, but not during the republic. After the Laws of the twelve tables, no Roman magistrate could summarily execute a Roman citizen.

Edit 1: Executions and roman capital punishment did exist in the republic as well. Beheading among one of the forms.

Edit 2: Final king of Rome was also the chief judge in capital criminal cases.

[–]magnora7 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (5 children)

Nice research. Nowadays it's basically like the mass-population version of the wooden spoon, or la chancla. lol. A symbol of fear used to create obedience.

I do clearly remember once reading about executioners coming to towns with the fasces to conduct executions, and how the towns people knew he worked for the government partially by the fasces. I thought this happened in Roman times, but perhaps it was even prior to that. I think the symbolism then came later on as a result. (like how some new countries now have AK-47s on their flags)

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

This is the first time I've heard of this "la chancla" but it was worth it for the chuckle lol.

But yeah, its like no King or country ever adopts a smilie face flag of happiness. And then people probably wonder why the citizenry are a bunch of miserable cunts and their societies keep failing lol.

Maybe it starts with what you represent yourself as? :P

[–]magnora7 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

Yes from what I understand, every Mexican person knows la chancla, lol.

Good point with the smile on a flag. I guess rulers and kingdoms don't want to appear weak, and happiness is weakness if you're in a predatory environment (like countries and kingdoms trying to conquer each other, and also internal coups).

The thing about power is, the more of it you have the more people there are nipping at your heels to try and get a piece. Which ends up creating defensiveness.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Yep, that has become the self fulfilling thought process in favor of overt seriousness. But if you wanted to break that repetitive chain of misery, then a form of divergence may need to take place in the form of representation for better tactical disposition. An illustration that also speaks better to the creative side of the citizenry.

Also happiness isn't always a form of weakness, there are bolder variations of it like with trolling or coping in a difficult situation- i.e. laughing in the face of danger as adaptability. A splash of goofiness in your banner, could serve as a reminder to keep things fresh and/or goofy; and may actually make an organization stronger or better qualified to deal with serious challenges in a more creative adaptable way in the long term. Just a bold idea, nothing serious and I could very well be wrong. :P

[–]magnora7 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Interesting thoughts. Reminds me of the quote "In a society always trying to sell you something, being content is the greatest rebellion."

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

No doubt! And I have another quote that I want to add:

"Humor and goofy behavior might be the happy expression of free souls, while the opposite of anger and somberness; an unhappy expression of the oppressed. Those that are tyrants and oppress themselves, may not be able to laugh much; while those that don't or choose, can laugh free all day."

Never underestimate the power of humor and optimism, as corny as it sounds. It has the power to shake up the old and provide opportunity to the new for renewal. And there is still much awaiting discovery...

[–]magnora7 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

It's original purpose was for state executions. That's why it's a symbol of power at all.

[–]Chipit[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

The fasces were a symbol of authority, but the precise meaning is unknown. It is often claimed that the rods could be used to lash people, and the ax to execute them.

Come on, can you imagine trying to decapitate someone with an axe stuffed into a bunch of reeds? The fasces were symbolic.

Yes the axe was used for executions. But a real axe.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It wasn't just reed, a number of wooden or metal rods tied together to hold the axe in place also represents the fasces. Maybe the modern model of the axe started out as the fasces, due to the flexibility of loading/unloading it. And depending on how thoroughly the fasces was tied together, it very well could have been used to decapitate based on an executioner's strength and precision to strike. The gallows were primitive at first before they became the modern iteration we are familiar with from Europe.

I would conjecture that the possibilities side in favor of the fasces being used as a weapon originally. And then it became symbolic of the "old days" to pay homage.