SICILY
Since the Grecian times, Trinacria is the most representative symbol for Sicily. It symbolizes the mythical figure of the "Triarca" (Threeleg) or the most famous Gorgonian "Medusa" (The one who domain), who was killed by the Grecian hero Perseo.
Besides Trinacria, other symbols have been used to represent the old island of Sicily: the newest of them is probably the "Mongibello", a folkloristic representation of the Etna vulcano. The mountain again inspires other two mythological symbols: The Cyclope (the giant with one eye - one crater)
and the dragon Typhon, one of the Titans killed by Zeus, who still produces fire from his mouth (the crater).
Even if, along the centuries, Sicily was represented in several forms, Trinacria remains the most used symbol of the island, often used by artisans as a subject of their handcrafts.
Medusa got the power to transform in stone anyone who looked at her eyes. Perseo was able to cut Medusa's head by using the trick of looking at her through a mirror.
The association between the Triarca and Medusa is due to the characteristical three legs moving around a winged feminine head, full of living snakes, typical for both Triarca and Medusa mythologic figurative representations.
In addition to that, the "open" position of the three legs, reminds the geographical triangle of Sicily island and, at the same time, the symmetry of the arcan symbol of the hooked cross.
Another uncommon symbol of Sicily is also "Erice", ancient king of Sicily and son of Venus (Ericina). Erice is today the name of a hill and a small medieval village above Trapani (Westside), site of a world-wide center for scientific meetings.
In this Island religious piety is expressed by the grief of a people who each year accompany their Lord to the hill where he will be crucified. Their joy is expressed in the races of plaster saints, quick rhymed songs to sound of jews' harps. Dances like the " Ballo della Cordella ", which follows the wedding procession in Petralia Soprana (PA).
Adventure is the duel of the fantastic paladins in gold armour against the Moorish kings whose fierce eyes are multiplied by the thousand little mirrors on their costumes. Friendship is expressed in bright sugar flowers-red, light-blue, white and yellow, or the fruits of marzipan or the coloured sugar figures.
In the market there are true and legendary stories painted on the sides of the carts, pyramids of fruit from the red earth, green olives, steel-blue fish.
In the festivals the girls' dresses are adorned with Greek, Norman and Spanish gold designs. The folklore, the ways, the customs of Sicily are so various that one seems as if by magic to be on another continent. But you are still here in this Island where each legend becomes reality, each prayer a miracle, every desire magic.
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Realizzazione CEM 21/02/1996
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Dichiarazione ai sensi della Legge 7 marzo 2001, n. 62.
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