Inter-related Words

Infographic on Words
Infographic on Words

This is an infographic done in class, about the 50 words about myself and how they are inter-related. I might not use these words eventually and head into a direction that is more FYP centric.

 

Words

1. Resilience noun1.     1.the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.

“nylon is excellent in wearability, abrasion resistance and resilience”

synonyms: flexibilitypliability, suppleness, plasticityelasticity, springiness,springgive;

2.

3.     2.

the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

“the often remarkable resilience of so many British institutions”

2. Brave adjective1.     1.ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

“she was very brave about the whole thing”

synonyms: courageouspluckyfearlessvaliant, valorous, intrepidheroic,lionheartedmanfulmachobolddaringdaredeviladventurous,audaciousdeath-or-glory;

 

verb

1.     1.

endure or face (unpleasant conditions or behaviour) without showing fear.

“he pulled on his coat ready to brave the elements”

synonyms: endure, put up with, bearwithstandweathersuffersustain, go through;
3. Ruminative 1.     1.think deeply about something.”we sat ruminating on the nature of existence”

synonyms: think about, contemplateconsider, give thought to, give consideration to, mull over, meditate on, muse on, ponder on/over, deliberate about/on, cogitate about/on, dwell on, brood on/over, agonize over,worry about, chew over, puzzle over; More

2.     2.

(of a ruminant) chew the cud.

“goats ruminated nonchalantly around them”

synonyms: chew the cud”cows emit more methane when they are ruminating”
4. Ephemeral adjective1.     1.lasting for a very short time.

“fashions are ephemeral: new ones regularly drive out the old”

synonyms: transitorytransientfleetingpassingshort-livedmomentarybrief,shortcursorytemporaryimpermanentshort-term;

noun

1.     1.

an ephemeral plant.

“ephemerals avoid the periods of drought as seeds”

5. Reliance Noundependence on or trust in someone or something.”the farmer’s reliance on pesticides”

synonyms: dependencedependency; More

 

archaic

a person or thing on which someone depends.

plural noun: reliances

6. Struggle verb1.     1.make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction.

“before she could struggle, he lifted her up”

synonyms: fightgrapplewrestlescufflebrawlspar, exchange blows, come to blows;

 

noun

1.     1.

a forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack.

“there were signs of a struggle and there was a lot of blood around”

synonyms: fightscufflebrawltussle, wrestling match, sparring match, wrestling bout, boutskirmishfracasmeleeaffrayencounterdisturbance,breach of the peace;
7. Inquisitive adjective1.     having or showing an interest in learning things; curious.”his poems reveal an intensely inquisitive mind”

 

unduly curious about the affairs of others; prying.

“I didn’t like to seem inquisitive”

synonyms: curious, intrigued, interested, burning with curiosity, agog;
8. Fascinated verbpast tense: fascinated; past participle: fascinated1.     attract the strong attention and interest of (someone).

“I’ve always been fascinated by computers”

synonyms: engrosscaptivateabsorbinterestenchantbeguilebewitchenthral,enraptureentrance, hold spellbound, transfixrivetmesmerize,hypnotizespellbindoccupyengagecompel; More

archaic

(especially of a snake) deprive (prey) of the ability to resist or escape by the power of a gaze.

“the serpent fascinates its prey”

9. Outrageous adjective1.     1.shockingly bad or excessive.

“an outrageous act of bribery”

synonyms: shockingdisgracefulscandalousatrociousappallingabhorrent,monstrousheinous; More

2.     2.

very bold and unusual and rather shocking.

“her outrageous leotards and sexy routines”

synonyms: eye-catchingstartlingstrikingflamboyantshowyflashygaudy,ostentatiousdazzling;
10. Childlike adjectiveadjective: child-like1.     (of an adult) having the good qualities, such as innocence, associated with a child.

“she speaks with a childlike directness”

synonyms: innocentartlessguilelesssimpleunworldlyunsophisticatedgreen,inexperiencednaiveingenuoustrustingtrustfulunsuspiciousunwary,unguardedcredulousgullible, easily taken in;
11. Clumsy adjective1.     awkward in movement or in handling things.”the cold made his fingers clumsy”

synonyms: awkwarduncoordinatedungainlygracelessungracefulinelegant,gawkygaucheganglingcloddish, blundering, lumbering;

done awkwardly or without skill.

“a very clumsy attempt to park”

synonyms: awkwarduncoordinatedungainlygracelessungracefulinelegant,gawkygaucheganglingcloddish, blundering, lumbering;

difficult to handle or use; unwieldy.

“clumsy devices”

synonyms: unwieldyunmanageablecumbersomebulkyhulkingheavysolid,awkward, unmanoeuvrable”a clumsy contraption”
12. Musical/Rhythmic adjective1.     1.relating to music.

“they shared similar musical tastes”

o

o

2.     2.

having a pleasant sound; melodious or tuneful.

“they burst out into rich, musical laughter”

synonyms: tunefulmelodicmelodiousharmonioussweet-soundingsweet,mellifluousdulcetlyrical, lilting, liquideuphonious, euphonic;raremellifluent

noun

1.     1.

a play or film in which singing and dancing play an essential part. Musicals developed from light opera in the early 20th century.

“a hit West End musical, Miss Saigon”

synonyms: musical comedy
13. Pensive adjective1.     engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.”a pensive mood”

synonyms: thoughtfulthinkingreflectivecontemplativemusingmeditative,introspectiveprayerfulphilosophical, cogitative, ruminative, absorbed,engrossed, rapt, preoccupied, deep/immersed/lost in thought, in a brown study, broodyseriousstudioussolemndreamy, dreaming;
14. Philosophical adjective1.     1.relating or devoted to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.

“philosophical discussions about free will”

synonyms: theoreticalanalyticalrationalmetaphysicallogicalreasoned,esotericscholarlyerudite“a philosophical question”

2.     2.

having or showing a calm attitude towards disappointments or difficulties.

“he was philosophical about losing the contract”

synonyms: calmcomposedcoolcollected, {cool, calm, and collected}, self-possessedserenetranquilplacidstoicalimpassivesober,dispassionatedetachedunemotionalphlegmaticunperturbed,imperturbableequableunruffledpatientforbearinglong-suffering,tolerantaccommodatingindulgenteasy-goingeven-tempered,restrained, fatalistic, unexcitableresignedrationallogicalrealistic,practical;informalunflappable“training officers have learnt to be philosophical about such mishaps”
15. Poetic adjective1.     relating to or used in poetry.”the muse is a poetic convention”

synonyms: in verse, versemetrical, rhythmical;

written in verse rather than prose.

“a poetic drama”

 

having an imaginative or sensitively emotional style of expression.

“the orchestral playing was colourful and poetic”

synonyms: expressivefigurativesymbolicflowerymovingaestheticartistic,tastefulgracefulelegantelevatedfinebeautiful;
16. Thoughtful adjective1.     1.absorbed in or involving thought.

“brows drawn together in thoughtful consideration”

synonyms: pensivethinkingreflectivecontemplativemusingmeditative,introspectiveprayerfulphilosophical, cogitative, ruminative,absorbed, engrossed, rapt, preoccupied, deep/immersed/lost in thought, in a brown study, broodingbroodyseriousstudious,solemndreamy, dreaming, wistfulmelancholysad; More

2.     2.

showing consideration for the needs of other people.

“he was attentive and thoughtful”

synonyms: considerateattentivecaringunderstandingsympatheticsolicitous,concernedhelpfulfriendlyobligingaccommodatingneighbourly,unselfishkindkindlycompassionatetendercharitablebenevolent“how very thoughtful of you!”
17. Sensitive adjective1.     1.quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences.

“the new method of protein detection was more sensitive than earlier ones”

synonyms: responsive to, quick to respond to, sensitized to, reactive to, sentient of

 

2.     2.

having or displaying a quick and delicate appreciation of others’ feelings.

“I pay tribute to the Minister for his sensitive handling of the bill”

synonyms: tactfulcarefulthoughtfuldiplomaticdelicatesubtle, finely tuned,kid-glove

3.

noun

1.     1.

a person who is believed to respond to paranormal influences.

 

18. Playful adjective1.     fond of games and amusement; light-hearted.”a playful tomboy who loves to dress up”

synonyms: friskyjollyfun-lovinglively, full of fun, high-spirited, spirited, in high spirits, exuberantperkyskittishcoltishkittenish;

 

intended for one’s own or others’ amusement rather than seriously.

“he gave me a playful punch on the arm”

 

giving or expressing pleasure and amusement.

“the ballet accents the playful use of movement”

19. Patient adjective1.     1.able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.

“be patient, your time will come”

synonyms: forbearinguncomplainingtolerantlong-sufferingresignedstoical;More

 

noun

1.     1.

a person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment.

“many patients in the hospital were more ill than she was”

synonyms: sick person, case, sufferer, victim; More

2.

3.     2.

LINGUISTICS

the semantic role of a noun phrase denoting something that is affected or acted upon by the action of a verb.

20. Keen adjective1.     1.BRITISH

having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm.

“a keen gardener”

synonyms: eageranxiousimpatientdetermineddesirouslonging, wishing,itching, dyingyearningambitiousready; More

2.     2.

sharp or penetrating, in particular:

21. Understanding noun1.     1.the ability to understand something; comprehension.

“foreign visitors with little understanding of English”

synonyms: comprehensionapprehensiongraspgripmasteryperception,discernmentappreciationinterpretationcognizanceken,conceptiondigestion, assimilation, absorption; More

2.     2.

sympathetic awareness or tolerance.

“he wrote with understanding and affection of the people of Dent”

synonyms: compassionsympathypityempathyfeelingconcern,considerateness, considerationtenderness, tender-heartedness,kindness, kind-heartedness, sensitivityinsightfellow feeling,brotherly love, neighbourliness, decencyhumanity, humanitarianism,humaneness, charitygoodwillmercy, mercifulness, gentleness,tolerance, lenience, leniencywarmth, warm-heartedness, affection,love“he always treated me with great kindness and understanding”

3.

1.     1.adjective

sympathetically aware of other people’s feelings; tolerant and forgiving.

“a kind and understanding man”

synonyms: compassionatesympatheticsensitiveconsideratetenderkind,kindlykind-heartedthoughtfultolerantpatientforbearinglenient,mercifulforgivinghumanehumangood-naturedapproachable,supportive, reassuring; More

2.     2.

archaic

having insight or good judgement.

22. Confused adjective1.     1.(of a person) unable to think clearly; bewildered.

“she was utterly confused about what had happened”

synonyms: dementedbewilderedmuddledaddled, befuddled, disoriented,disorientated, (all) at sea, unbalancedunhingedsenile, with Alzheimer’s disease More

 

2.     2.

lacking order and so difficult to understand.

“the confused information supplied by authorities”

synonyms: chaoticmuddled, jumbled, unclearuntidy, disordered, disorderly,disarranged, out of order, disorganizedupsettopsy-turvy, at sixes and sevens;informalhiggledy-piggledy“the first confused reports of the massacre”
23. Passionate adjective1.     having, showing, or caused by strong feelings or beliefs.”passionate pleas for help”

synonyms: intenseimpassionedardentferventzealousvehementfieryheated,feverishemotionalheartfelteagerexcitedanimatedspiritedvigorous,strongenergeticmessianicfanaticalfrenziedwildfierceconsuming,violenttumultuousflamingragingburninguncontrollable,ungovernable; More

arising from intense feelings of sexual love.

“a passionate kiss”

synonyms: amorousardenthot-bloodedred-bloodedwarm-blooded, aroused,loving, on fire, sexysensualeroticlustfulsultrytorrid;
24. Diligent adjective1.     having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties.”after diligent searching, he found a parcel”

synonyms: industrioushard-workingassiduous;
25. Dramatic adjective1.     1.relating to drama or the performance or study of drama.

“the dramatic arts”

2.

3.     2.

(of an event or circumstance) sudden and striking.

“a dramatic increase in recorded crime”

synonyms: considerablesubstantialsizeablegoodlyfairreasonabletidy,markedpronounced;
26. Emotional adjective1.     relating to a person’s emotions.”gaining emotional support from relatives”

synonyms: spiritualinnerpsychicpsychological, of the heart”their emotional needs are often ignored”

arousing or characterized by intense feeling.

“an emotional speech”

synonyms: poignantmovingtouchingaffectingpowerfulstirringemotiveheart-rendingheartbreakingheart-warmingsoul-stirringuplifting,impassioneddramatic;

(of a person) having feelings that are easily excited and openly displayed.

“he was a strongly emotional young man”

synonyms: passionatefeelinghot-bloodedwarmardentferventexcitable,temperamentalmelodramatictempestuous, overcharged, responsive;
27. Chaotic adjective1.     in a state of complete confusion and disorder.”the political situation was chaotic”

synonyms: disorderly, disordered, in disorder, in chaos, in disarray, disorganized,topsy-turvyhaywireconfused, in pandemonium, in turmoil, tumultuous,disrupted;

PHYSICS

relating to systems which exhibit chaos.

 

28. Enthusiastic adjective1.     having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.”he could be wildly enthusiastic about a project”

synonyms: eagerkeenavidardentferventwarmpassionatezealouslively,vivaciousenergeticvigorousdynamicvehementfieryexcited,exuberantebullientspiritedheartywholeheartedcommittedwilling,readydevotedfanaticalearnest“an enthusiastic supporter of Scottish rugby”
29. Funny adjective1.     1.causing laughter or amusement; humorous.

“a funny story”

synonyms: amusinghumorouscomiccomicaldrolllaughablechucklesome;

2.     2.

difficult to explain or understand; strange or curious.

“I had a funny feeling you’d be around”

o

noun

1.     1.

Informal

amusing jokes.

“the training courses usually produced a good crop of funnies”

 

30. Hesitant adjective1.     tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking.”clients are hesitant about buying”

synonyms: uncertainundecidedunsuredoubtful, in doubt, dubioustentativehalf-heartedambivalentscepticalreluctantnervous, having misgivings,having qualms, hanging back, stalling, delaying;
31. Lonely adjective1.     1.sad because one has no friends or company.

“lonely old people whose families do not care for them”

synonyms: isolatedalone, all alone, friendless, companionless, without friends/companions, with no one to turn to, outcastforsaken,abandoned, rejected, unlovedunwanted;

2.     2.

(of a place) unfrequented and remote.

“a lonely country lane”

synonyms: deserteduninhabitedunfrequentedunpopulateddesolatebarren,isolatedremote, out of the way, secludedsequestered, off the beaten track, in the back of beyond, in the middle of nowhere,godforsaken;literarylone“a lonely road”
32. Pain noun1.     1.highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by illness or injury.

“she’s in great pain

synonyms: sufferingagonyafflictiontorturetormentdiscomfort, sorenessMore

2.     2.

mental suffering or distress.

“the pain of loss”

synonyms: sorrowgriefheartacheheartbreaksadnessunhappinessdistress,desolationmisery, wretchedness, despairdesperation, mental suffering, emotional suffering, trauma; More


verb

1.     1.

cause mental or physical pain to.

“it pains me to say this”

synonyms: hurt, cause pain, be painful, be sore, achethrobsmartburnprickle,stingpinchtwinge, cause discomfort, be tender;
33. Abused verbpast tense: abused; past participle: abused1.     1.

use (something) to bad effect or for a bad purpose; misuse.

“the judge abused his power by imposing the fines”

synonyms: misusemisapplymisemploymishandle; More

o

2.     2.

treat with cruelty or violence, especially regularly or repeatedly.

“riders who abuse their horses should be prosecuted”

synonyms: mistreatmaltreatill-treat, treat badly, ill-usemisuse;
34. Kind noun1.     1.a group of people or things having similar characteristics.

“all kinds of music”

synonyms: sorttypevarietystyleformclasscategorygenre; More

2.     2.

each of the elements (bread and wine) of the Eucharist.

“communion in both kinds

35. Empathy noun1.     the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
36. Soulful adjective1.     expressing or appearing to express deep and often sorrowful feeling.”she gave him a soulful glance”

synonyms: emotionaldeep, deeply felt, profoundferventheartfeltsincere,passionate;
37. Weak adjective1.     1.lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; having little physical strength or energy.

“she was recovering from flu, and was very weak”

synonyms: frailfeeblepunyfragiledelicateweakly;

2.     2.

liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged.

“the salamander’s tail may be broken off at a weak spot near the base”

38. Strong adjective1.     1.having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.

“she cut through the water with her strong arms”

synonyms: powerfulmuscularbrawnywell built, powerfully built, strapping,sturdyheftyburlymeatyrobustfitathleticvigoroustough,rugged; More

2.     2.

able to withstand force, pressure, or wear.

“cotton is strong, hard-wearing, and easy to handle”

synonyms: securewell builtindestructible, well fortified, well defended, well protected, impregnableimpenetrableinviolableunassailable;
39. Unstable/Volatile/Fragile adjective1.     likely to give way; not stable.”the unstable cliff tops”

synonyms: unsteadyrockywobbly, wobbling, ricketyshaky, tottery, tottering,teetering, dodderyunsafeunbalancedunreliableinsecure, not secure,unfastened, unsecuredmovableprecarious;bockety“icebergs are notoriously unstable and may flip over”

likely to change or fail; not firmly established.

“an unstable government”

synonyms: changeablevolatilevariableunsettled, fluctuating, inconstant,inconsistentirregularfitfulunpredictableunreliableficklecapricious,mercurialerraticuncertain, wavering”the country suffered from unstable coffee prices”

prone to psychiatric problems or sudden changes of mood.

“he was mentally unstable”

synonyms: unbalanced, of unsound mind, mentally ill, derangeddemented,crazed, distractedtroubleddisturbedunhingedinsanemad, mad as a hatter, mad as a March hare, raving mad, lunatic, out of one’s mind/head, not in one’s right mind, neuroticpsychotic;
40. Broken adjective1.     1.having been broken.

“he had a broken arm”

synonyms: smashedshatteredburst, fragmented, splintered, shivered, crushed,snapped, renttorn, ruptured, separated, severed, in bits, in pieces;

2.     2.

(of a person) having given up all hope; despairing.

“he went to his grave a broken man”

synonyms: defeatedbeaten, vanquished, overpowered, overwhelmed, subdued;
41. Sincere adjective1.     free from pretence or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings.”they offer their sincere thanks to Paul”

synonyms: heartfeltwholeheartedprofounddeep, from the heart;

 

(of a person) saying what they genuinely feel or believe; not dishonest or hypocritical.

“she’d sounded sincere enough”

42. Loyal/Committed adjective1.     giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.”he remained loyal to the government”

synonyms: faithfultruetrue-hearted, tried and true, true-bluedevoted;
43. Irrational adjective1.     1.not logical or reasonable.

“irrational feelings of hostility”

synonyms: unreasonableillogicalgroundlessbaselessunfoundedunjustifiable,unsound;

2.     2.

MATHEMATICS

(of a number, quantity, or expression) not expressible as a ratio of two integers, and having an infinite and non-recurring expansion when expressed as a decimal. Examples of irrational numbers are the number π and the square root of 2.

 

noun

MATHEMATICS

1.     1.

an irrational number or quantity; a surd.

44. Distraught adjective1.     very worried and upset.”a distraught woman sobbed and screamed for help”

synonyms: worriedupsetdistressedfraught, devastated, shattered;
45. Responsible adjective1.     1.having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one’s job or role.

“the cabinet minister responsible for Education”

synonyms: in charge of, in control of, at the helm of, accountable for, liable for,charged with; More

2.     2.

being the primary cause of something and so able to be blamed or credited for it.

“Gooch was responsible for 198 of his side’s 542 runs”

synonyms: accountableanswerable, to blame;
46. Depressed depresseddɪˈprɛst/adjective

1.     1.

(of a person) in a state of unhappiness or despondency.

“she felt lonely and depressed”

synonyms: sad, saddened, unhappygloomyglummelancholymiserable,sorrowfuldejecteddisconsolatedownhearteddowncast, cast down,downcrestfallenwoebegonedespondentdispiritedlow, low in spirits, low-spiritedheavy-heartedmorosedismaldesolate, weighed down, oppressed;

 

2.     2.

(of a place or economic activity) suffering the damaging effects of a lack of demand or employment.

“depressed inner-city areas”

synonyms: weak, weakened, enervated, debilitated, devitalized, impaired;
47. Unsatisfied adjective1.     not satisfied.”the compromise left all sides unsatisfied”
48. Stoic/Numb noun1.     1.a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining.

2.

3.     2.

a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism.

 

adjective

1.     1.

another term for stoical.

“a look of stoic resignation”

2.

3.     2.

of or belonging to the Stoics or their school of philosophy.

“the Stoic philosophers”

 

49. Sentimental adjective1.     of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.”she felt a sentimental attachment to the place creep over her”

synonyms: nostalgictenderemotionaldewy-eyedmisty-eyedaffectionateloving

having or arousing feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia, typically in an exaggerated and self-indulgent way.

“a sentimental ballad”

synonyms: mawkishover-sentimentaloveremotional, cloying, sicklysaccharine,sugary, sugar-coated, syrupy;
50. Nostalgic noun1.     a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past.”I was overcome with acute nostalgia for my days at university”

synonyms: wistfulness, longing/yearning/pining for the past, regret, regretfulness,reminiscenceremembrancerecollection, homesickness, sentimentality“there is a nostalgia for traditional values”

 

something done or presented in order to evoke feelings of nostalgia.

“an evening of TV nostalgia”

Process – Hindu Illustration

Hindu Creation of Time
Hindu Creation of Time

This is the final inked out illustration for the Hindu concept of the creation of time. Brahma creating the universe in bubble through his daughter Goddess Saraswati.

Process – Sketches

Kairos - Sketch
Kairos – Sketch
Brahma - Sketch
Brahma – Sketch

Here are some process sketches from this weeks production! The brahma one is a bit more “Cosmological” but I kinda like the feeling of the Kairos sketch too.

Creation Myth – Chinese Mythology

Pangucreation
Pan Gu Chinese Creation Myth

The Chinese myth of the creator Pan Gu can be traced back to around 600 B.C. The legend says the universe was a formless chaos. This chaos coalesced into a cosmic egg for about 18,000 years. Within it, the perfectly opposed principles of Yin and Yang became balanced. Inside the egg, at first was “a mass called no thing”. Pan Gu was the being that was to develop from the egg. Pan Gu emerged and become the creator. “Pan Gu was the size of a giant. He grew ten feet a day and lived for eighteen thousand years”. With his chisel, Pan Gu shaped the entire earth. Yin became the earth and yang the sky. To this day the concept of yin and yang represents all types of balance within our universe, and stresses the need for balance in all aspects of life.

Pan Gu acted as the ultimate architect, carving out all of earth and adorning the heavens with the moon and stars. Only when Pan Gu died could the process be complete. When his death came, his body and soul all became parts of the earth. From his head were created the Sun and the Moon, from his blood the rivers and seas, from his breath the wind, and from his voice the thunder. Finally, human beings were generated from the fleas which lived on him.

Some versions of the Pan Gu creation myth state that the giant had help from four mythical beasts. First, the turtle: the Chinese were not the only ones to use it in their creation myth; various world myths, creation and otherwise, include the turtle for its strength and immortality. The qilin, though indigenous to Asian mythology, is said to have been dragon-like. While being central to Asian mythology – dragons are also found world-wide – as bearers of wisdom and a symbol of power, also connected to the succession of the early emperors. Finally, the phoenix which has consistently been a symbol of rebirth.

The interesting aspects of this tale are its similarities to other myths. For example, the cosmic egg is a common concept that is indicative of the universe before the Big Bang occurred, scientifically speaking. While this may, at first glance, be a very primitive way of describing such an event, one cannot help but notice how very insightful it is.

Bibliography

http://www.andersoninstitute.com/cultural-perceptions-of-time.html

http://www.windows2universe.org/mythology/pan-ku_creation.html

http://www.ancient-origins.net/human-origins-folklore/pangu-and-chinese-creation-myth-00347

 

Greek Myths about Time

The ancient Greeks had two words for time. The first was chronos, which we still use in words like chronological and anachronism. It refers to clock time – time that can be measured – seconds, minutes, hours, years.

Kronos (Roman – Saturnus) the God who devoured his own children (Poseidon representing the sea, Demeter the earth, Hera the air, and Hestia heavenly fire) symbolised the destructive ravages of time, which consumed all. As the King of the Golden Age, and of the Islands of the Blessed, he represented the passing of the ages.

Kronos is depicted as a weary, bent-backed old man with a long grey beard, carrying a scythe and an hourglass. His resemblance to the Grim Reaper is not accidental. Chronos, or Saturn to the Romans, is the being that kills you. It takes away everything you have and then it eats you too. Much like time, which consumes everything.

Saturn Devouring His Son – Franscico Goya

 

Where chronos is quantitative, kairos is qualitative. It measures moments, not seconds. Further, it refers to the right moment, the opportune moment. The perfect moment. The world takes a breath, and in the pause before it exhales, fates can be changed. Kairos, even though the Greek meanings are complex and culturally dependent, refers to the right time, opportune time or seasonable time. It cannot be measured. It is the perfect time, the qualitative time, the perfect moment, the “now.”

Kairos is the right moment of opportunity which requires proactivity to achieve success. It is significant and decisive. These moments transcend kronos, stirring emotions and realities to cause decisive action. It is not an understatement to say that kairos moments alter destiny. To miscalculate kronos is inconvenient. To miscalculate kairos is lamentable.

Kairos

 

Kairos, is depicted as a young man, lithe and handsome. Statues of him could be found all across the Greek peninsula. Under the statue is carved the following epigram:

And who are you? Time who subdues all things.
Why do you stand on tip-toe? I am ever running.
And why do you have a pair of wings on your feet? I fly with the wind.
And why do you hold a razor in your right hand? As a sign to men that I am sharper than any sharp edge.
And why does your hair hang over your face? For him who meets me to take me by the forelock.
And why, in Heaven’s name, is the back of your head bald? Because none whom I have once raced by on my winged feet will now, though he wishes it sore, take hold of me from behind.
Why did the artist fashion you? For your sake, stranger, and he set me up in the porch as a lesson.

The wings on his feet, suggest his swiftness, borne by the seasons, he goes rolling on through all eternity. His youthful beauty, that beauty is always opportune and Kairos (Opportunity) is the only artificer of beauty, whereas things whose beauty has withered have no part in the nature of Kairos (Opportunity). The lock of hair on his forehead indicates that while he is easy to catch as he approaches, yet, when he has passed by, the moment of action has likewise expired, and that, if opportunity (kairos) is neglected, it cannot be recovered.

The Ancient Greeks, the seedbed of existential thinkers, sought to understand kairos at multiple levels. They applied kairos thinking in arenas of legal, political, and epideitic (the artfully skilled and heightened rhetorical expression of praise). In legal rhetoric, kairos was related to justice beyond the written law, that is, law applied at specific times and circumstances unforeseen by legislators. Political rhetoric concerns the elements of usefulness, suitability, and honor. Kairos was also central to the Sophists, who saw kairos as the ability to understand the subtleties of a rhetorical situation. Kairos is seen as the orator’s ability to adapt to and take advantage of the contingent circumstances.

The New Testament writers reflect the evolution of the word by referring to kairos time as the present moment, the defining moment, and even the God-ordained moments. Kairos is the time-frame for divine interaction and occurrences.

Ancient Indians had the same divided notions of time: chronological and kairotic. And like the Greeks, they mistrusted Chronos. The Sanskrit equivalent of chronos is kala, from which the destructive goddess Kali takes her name.The image of her dancing on corpses with a belt of skulls and severed hands reminds one of the destructive nature of time.

Bibliography

http://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanKronos.html

http://mckinleyvalentine.com/kairos/

http://growinghealthypassion.com/kairos.pdf