SYMBOLISM FOR LIBERTATEM AND COAT-OF-ARMS
Revised 2006 August 7
MEDALLIONS
The Freedom Force Medallion (the Libertatem) is a membership achievement award for outstanding performance in pursuit of the Freedom Force mission. It was created to meet two criteria. The first was to make it elegant and desirable as a piece of fine art. The second was to arouse curiosity about the symbolism of the images and, thus, make the medallion a teaching tool. Images were placed into a shield that represent the Three Commandments of Freedom. These Commandments are stated below, but those who seek a deeper understanding of the rationale behind them will want to explore The Creed of Freedom and an essay entitled The Chasm, both of which are available on this web site.
In addition to the Commandments, there are five other symbols. These eight serve as a course outline for almost everything there is to learn about the nature of freedom. As far as we know, this may be the world’s first teaching coin.
The Libertatem was designed by Freedom Force Founder, G. Edward Griffin. The exquisite drawings were created by Joan Lehmann Hunter, who is a professional artist internationally recognized for her vibrant illustrations of exotic animals. She is a member of Freedom Force and is Mr. Griffin’s administrative assistant.
SIDE 1
The most conspicuous element on side 1 is the image of a horse reared to strike an adversary. In Heraldry, this is called Horse Rampant. The significance is explained by the Latin phrase around the edge of the medallion: “Impotentes defendere libertatem non possunt.” That means: “Those without power cannot defend freedom,” which is the Freedom Force motto. The horse represents power, and the stance of confrontation suggests courage and determination.
SIDE 2:
Side 2 contains seven symbols plus text. The phrase: “An idea whose time has come” is a quotation from Victor Hugo: “Greater than the force of mighty armies is the power of an idea whose time has come.”
The shield is divided into three parts, each representing one of the Three Commandments of Freedom. They are:
>> Open hands releasing bird represents the Freedom-of-Choice Commandment: “Do not use coercion for any purpose except to protect human life, liberty, or property.”
>> Human figure holding a scroll represents the Individual-Rights Commandment: “Do not sacrifice the rights of any individual or minority for the assumed rights of the group.”
>> Blindfolded Lady Justice holding a scale represents the Equality-Under-Law Commandment: “Do not endorse any law that does not apply to all citizens equally.”
There are four additional symbols that appear around the edge:
>> Open book. This represents knowledge of history. Those without it are doomed to repeat its mistakes, a paraphrase from Will Durant.
>> Freedom Force symbol. This represents the upward reach of man. (Note: This is not the so-called peace symbol. It is the reverse.) See explanation from the Welcome page of this web site.
>> Gavel. This represents peaceful and lawful reform through action within the organizations that constitute the power centers of society.
>> The capital letter I within a circle. This represents individualism, which is the ideological orientation of Freedom Force. Individualism is the opposite of collectivism.
COAT OF ARMS
The Freedom Force Coat of Arms (technically this is called the Achievement) displays the same primary symbols as the medallion except that they have been brought together into one image and color has been added.
Joan Hunter's art may be viewed at http://www.joanlehmann.com.
Printed on 10 September 10 at 16:54
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