I’ve been sitting here listening to  tributes pour in from world leaders for Nelson Mandela and the word I hear used over and over is symbol – a symbol of peace, freedom, humility, unity, transformation and hope. As a tribute to an extraordinary man and a life well lived, let’s give the week over to all things symbolic.

One of my favourite symbols, the flute-playing Kokopelli, is depicted in petroglyphs all over the southwest and on pottery dating as far back as 850AD. He bestows fertility and rainfall, overseeing childbirth and agriculture. This piece was created by an artist I met in Canyon de Chelly last summer.

Ancestral Puebloans left their mark on the walls of their cliff dwellings at Spruce Tree House in Mesa Verde.

Sitting on a New York rooftop by candlelight watching the city dim during Earth Hour. Turning off the lights for an hour won’t solve the environmental issues we face; rather it is meant as a symbolic gesture to be more aware year round. I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a number of lights turn off in the Big Apple, including the Empire State Building.

If you would like to make your mark with your own interpretation of this week’s theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:

• Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Symbol
• Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
• Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
• Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS

xxx Ailsa

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela  RIP