• manuallybreathing@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    3 days ago

    The eagle is clutching arrows, representing a fasces, the root of the word fascism, representing the power of the state. Traditionally depicted with an axe at the centre, a fasces was a tool used by the roman armu to discipline soldiers. An axe for decapetation, rods for beating.

    these things are everywhere un modern nation states, but I’m told it’s not important, it doesnt mean what i think it means.

    it is also the root of the word f*ggot, a bundle of sticks.

    :3

    • wewbull@feddit.uk
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      2 days ago

      Fasces are bundles of sticks, not arrows. The American eagle has always held arrows, along side an olive branch. Peace and aggression juxtaposed. Unless you’re saying that the US has always been a fascist state hiding in plain sight, it’s not the same symbology.

      As to “faggot” meaning a bundle of sticks, yes that’s one (non-slang) definition of the word. Another is a type of meatball. The slur having any relation to the “bundles of sticks” definition is urban legend

      Hegseth has obviously nazified the eagle, and made himself echo Hitler in an ill-fitting suit, for sure, but the links you’re coming up with are just bollocks.

    • CrimeIsLegalNow@ani.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      3 days ago

      Eh, the fasces has a different meaning when you don’t include the axe. Unless you think fascism is when people work together.