Symbology

London is getting ready for the Summer Olympics and the Olympic torch relay will begin in 2012. This ceremonial event, where people from all walks of life carry the Olympic torch is particularly symbolic.

In Greek mythology, the original “torch-bearer” was Prometheus, the Titan who stole fire from the gods in order to give it to humanity. Fire was considered by ancients as being a tiny spark of the sun, which was considered to be the physical manifestation of deity (see Sun Worship). By bringing fire to mankind, Prometheus has therefore enabled humans to partake in “all things divine” and even allowed them to aspire to become gods themselves.


Probably the most famous torch bearer in the world, the Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by French Grand Orient Temple Freemasons.

The first relaying of the Olympic torch was held at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, under the Nazi regime and sports organiser Carl Diem.

Fire was a symbol of Hitler's regime, and torchlight processions were a feature. The leadership aimed to draw a direct link back to ancient civilisation. As Ryan explains: "They wanted a symbolic bridge between ancient Greece and modern Germany. And light is a symbol of purity - something that fed into the Aryan myth."

The Beijing 2008 global relay was the most ambitious - 21,800 torchbearers, 137,000km, 129 days. But it met frequent and sometimes violent protest

Using the torch flame to light the cauldrons: “When it is your turn to carry the flame, you think emotional thoughts, think of people who have competed in the Olympics, Jesse Owens, great heroes like Steve Redgrave.”

Clockwise from top left:
Muhammad Ali, Salt Lake City, 2002;
Li Ning, Beijing, 2008;
Cathy Freeman, Sydney, 2000;
and Antonio Rebollo, Barcelona, 1992;

Source: BBC
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