Discussion:
Chinese character on cover of Tolkien's books?
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Peacenik
2004-01-10 01:24:26 UTC
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On my paperback copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Ballantine Books),
you can see what looks like a Chinese character (indeed, it resembles the
Chinese charater "shu", meaning "bundle", and can be seen at the link
below).

What is the meaning of this symbol with reference to the Tolkien Trilogy?

Loading Image...

--
Peacenik
Ios
2004-01-10 01:32:31 UTC
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Post by Peacenik
On my paperback copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Ballantine Books),
you can see what looks like a Chinese character
My guess is that it's the monogram of his initials, JRT, which has long been
used on the covers of Tolkien's books.

Bye


Ios
Nuki Mouse
2004-01-10 02:46:10 UTC
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Post by Peacenik
Post by Peacenik
On my paperback copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Ballantine
Books),
Post by Peacenik
you can see what looks like a Chinese character
My guess is that it's the monogram of his initials, JRT, which has long been
used on the covers of Tolkien's books.
Bye
Ios
Ios might (probably) is right in it being a stylized J.R.R.T superimposed on
themselves, but there is a second possibility.
Give that it is a Ballantine Book edition, could it be a tiny logo for
Ballantine?
Their logo is a reverse/mirror image of a capital B, followed by a normal B,
if small enough, it MIGHT look like a Chinese character
--
"This is just my opinion, I maybe wrong" D. Miller
"Defend free speech! Read a banned book today!" unknown.
"I may not like what you say, but I will defend your right to say it with
my Life" Voltaire

Nuki_Mouse
Bill O'Meally
2004-01-10 05:11:09 UTC
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Post by Nuki Mouse
Ios might (probably) is right in it being a stylized J.R.R.T
superimposed on
Post by Nuki Mouse
themselves, but there is a second possibility.
Give that it is a Ballantine Book edition, could it be a tiny logo for
Ballantine?
Their logo is a reverse/mirror image of a capital B, followed by a normal B,
if small enough, it MIGHT look like a Chinese character
You were right the first time. His use of the logo very much predates
Tolkien's association with Ballantine.
--
Bill

"Wise fool"
Gandalf, THE TWO TOWERS
-- The Wise will remove 'se' to reply; the Foolish will not--
D. Bell
2004-01-10 20:44:08 UTC
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It's simply his initials.

Check it:

Loading Image...
Post by Peacenik
On my paperback copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Ballantine Books),
you can see what looks like a Chinese character (indeed, it resembles the
Chinese charater "shu", meaning "bundle", and can be seen at the link
below).
What is the meaning of this symbol with reference to the Tolkien Trilogy?
http://cgibin.erols.com/mandarintools/cgi-bin/ugif/675F.gif
--
Peacenik
Peacenik
2004-01-11 05:38:51 UTC
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Post by D. Bell
It's simply his initials.
http://www.jrrtolkien.org.uk/Graphics/Tolkien%20Stationary/images/TolkienLog
o.jpg

It's amazing how close it looks to "shu":

Loading Image...

--
Peacenik
Chris Mork
2004-01-10 21:46:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peacenik
On my paperback copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Ballantine Books),
you can see what looks like a Chinese character (indeed, it resembles the
Chinese charater "shu", meaning "bundle", and can be seen at the link
below).
What is the meaning of this symbol with reference to the Tolkien Trilogy?
http://cgibin.erols.com/mandarintools/cgi-bin/ugif/675F.gif
--
Peacenik
Quite simple...

JRRT all superimposed on top of each other (the RRs are reversed for symmetry).

Q: "What is the meaning of this symbol with reference to the Tolkien Trilogy?"

A: Nothing.




--


Chris Mork
Owner CCG Sales / Small Business Links


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Peter H
2004-01-11 04:48:20 UTC
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Post by Chris Mork
JRRT all superimposed on top of each other (the RRs are reversed for symmetry).
Q: "What is the meaning of this symbol with reference to the Tolkien Trilogy?"
A: Nothing.
Au contraire; it's highly symbolic of the logogram that Tolkien wished
for his works. Simple, no?

Pete H
--
When eating an elephant
take one bite at a time.
C. Abrams
Chris Mork
2004-01-13 01:22:56 UTC
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Post by Peter H
Post by Chris Mork
JRRT all superimposed on top of each other (the RRs are reversed for symmetry).
Q: "What is the meaning of this symbol with reference to the Tolkien Trilogy?"
A: Nothing.
Au contraire; it's highly symbolic of the logogram that Tolkien wished
for his works. Simple, no?
Pete H
No... the poster was referring to the *Chinese* symbol in reference to
LOTR. (i.e. the subject line)

Again... nothing, unless, of course Tolkien was a Chinese linguist
as well.

--


Chris Mork
Owner CCG Sales / Small Business Links


====> A Swarm of Traffic to Your Site <====
Targeted prospects will swarm your site 24/7!
Just 5 minutes to set-up. It's automated, "viral"
and proven - and best of all it's FREE!
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http://home.fuse.net/ccg/smallbizlinks.html
Beetlecat
2004-01-13 19:39:10 UTC
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Post by Peacenik
On my paperback copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Ballantine Books),
you can see what looks like a Chinese character (indeed, it resembles the
Chinese charater "shu", meaning "bundle", and can be seen at the link
below).
What is the meaning of this symbol with reference to the Tolkien Trilogy?
http://cgibin.erols.com/mandarintools/cgi-bin/ugif/675F.gif
--
Peacenik
I'm sure many have beaten me to it, but I think the fact that It's a Chinese
character is entirely cooincidental (or convenient). It's simply J R R T
arranged very creatively...

-layne

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