The Logo Returns

The Blog Logo – since it is per definition in these blogs’ colour scheme, this image is not monochrome

I really had other things to do this last month than redesigning the logo for my twin blogs and avatar for Facebook and Twitter. However such is the silly world we live in – and copyright – that I was given little choice.

Firstly a word about the logo however. Before it was suspended at the end of October (for the aforementioned copyright considerations) some people threatened to report me to Facebook and the authorities on the completely idiotic assumption that it were a modified swastika! Nothing could be further from the truth. However in order to avoid (I hope) this situation in the future, this post tells you exactly what the logo is and how it has been derived.

My logo’s most important symbol is the historic raven symbol of the Vikings. It is this element there has been some question about the copyright. My original logo used a drawing taken from the Wiki Commons, which is a repository of images and media that are in the public domain. That drawing was subsequently withdrawn, after it transpired that it was probably taken from someone selling Viking flags in the USA (and consequently copyrighted as a derivative work). Either way, I decided to withdraw my own logo to be on the safe side.

The raven itself however is a thousand years old, and there exists a picture of it on a coin in the Wiki Commons. This picture is in the public domain. My new Viking symbol was traced on transparent paper from a print I made of it. Once I had drawn what was on the coin, I then scanned the image and superimposed it upon my logo’s other elements. As one further precaution to avoid confusion with anybody else’s product, I also reversed the direction of the bird’s flight. Consequently both it, and the resulting symbol I use it on, are my own derivative work.

The raven represents my new life here in this country of Norway, and can be understood in the context of this blog’s title “Yorkshire Viking Norway” a Yorkshire Lad Turned Norwegian. The other elements upon which it is superimposed are a Greek cross representing Christianity (my faith), and the defunct logo of the former Adwick School.

Both the logo and the twin blogs I use it upon maintain the strict colour code of the historic, now disused school uniform it has adapted. The school logo and the raven are black, while the Greek cross is green. White is given in the background they are drawn on, and this is additionally identical to the background of the old school badge.

That, then, is the origin of the symbol. It has nothing to do with any neo-nazi connections, and as far as I can now see is 100% legitimate according to copyright laws. If, however anyone still has objections, they may contact me by using the contact form on this website. Simply go to the “Lobby” at the top of the page, and follow the link from there.