#Religious Symbol

[kimiko24]

DOG MOSAICS (From Italy and Greece ××)

[hajjtrips]

https://www.bloglovin.com/@umrahhajjtrips8/islamic-prayer-rug-an-icon-spirituality-devotion

[allaboutarecanut]

Betel Nut: The Ancient Drug That's Still Popular Today

Betel nut, also known as areca nut, is a seed of the areca palm. It has been chewed and consumed for centuries, and is a popular cultural and religious symbol in many parts of Asia.

The earliest evidence of betel nut use dates back to 4,000 years ago, and has been found in archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. It is believed to have originated in the Philippines, and from there spread to other parts of the region, as well as to South Asia, China, and Taiwan.

Betel nut is typically chewed with a mixture of other ingredients, such as lime paste, betel leaf, and spices. This mixture is known as a quid, and is chewed for its stimulant and euphoric effects.

Betel nut has been used for a variety of purposes throughout history, including:

As a stimulant: Betel nut contains alkaloids, which have a stimulant effect on the body. This makes it a popular choice for people who are looking for a boost of energy or alertness.

As a social lubricant: Betel nut chewing is often seen as a social activity, and is often used to welcome guests or to mark special occasions.

As a religious symbol: Betel nut is used in a number of religious ceremonies and rituals throughout Asia. For example, it is used in Hindu weddings and in Buddhist funerals.

Betel nut in the modern world

Today, betel nut is still widely consumed in many parts of Asia. It is especially popular in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. However, betel nut chewing is also becoming increasingly popular in other parts of the world, such as the Middle East and North America.

The popularity of betel nut is due to a number of factors, including its stimulant and euphoric effects, its cultural significance, and its relatively low cost. However, betel nut chewing is also associated with a number of health risks, including oral cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Despite the health risks, betel nut is likely to remain a popular product for many years to come. It is a deeply rooted part of many cultures, and it has a long and rich history.

Additional facts about betel nut

Betel nut is the fourth most popular psychoactive substance in the world, after nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine.

Betel nut chewing is estimated to cause 60,000 deaths from oral cancer each year.

Betel nut is a major environmental problem in some parts of the world. Betel nut trees are often planted in place of forests, and the cultivation of betel nut can lead to soil erosion and water pollution.

Despite the risks, betel nut remains a popular and important crop in many parts of the world. It is a cultural icon, and it plays an important role in the economies of many countries.

[creantzy]

Acrylic on canvas, 40 × 40 cm

Reference: The Vision Of The Heart Of Jesus Of Blessed Marguerite Marie Alacoque by Antonio Ciseri

[bloodbroox]

That light I thought was blinding brought me here / I look into the waters and see a face I don't understand

[rhydart]

Eclipse

(a treat for @wonder-womans-ex for the @myctblrholidayexchange ! Happy holidays!)

[orangechickenpillow]

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis

[katetorias]

there is something so horrible about destroying churches, or any place of worship. im not even religious. it’s about the fact that people were so devoted, put so much effort into building and decorating and just experiencing this part of their life, that they hold so important. and all that effort is taken away by a fucking bomb

I find religion beautiful, and it’s harrowing to see these things happening in PaIestine and no one cares. suddenly now no one cares about religion or the importance of religious monuments

[389]

Bronze hand used in the worship of Sabazios. Hands decorated with religious symbols were designed to stand in sanctuaries or, like this one, were attached to poles for processional use.

Date: Roman 1st–2nd century AD. Collection: British Museum.

[coloredlion]

“This parasite will burrow inside the chrysalis, often killing the caterpillar before it even has a chance of emerging.”

[the-evil-clergyman]

The Dance of Salome or the Golden Butterflies by Gaston Bussière (1923)

[versocanibal]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ𝄞𝄖𝄶ㅤㅤㅤ⏳️1985'ㅤㅤㅤㅤ愛の女神.ㅤㅤ

[crustyfloor]

A new pop-up store dropped for ALIEN STAGE's 2nd anniversary and wow. It's so sick.

It's Interesting what exactly these experiments are focusing on and monitoring.

Instrument practice

I found it interesting earlier that Till was so tame, more so than he usually is when he's going through experiments, but music, and making music is what he loves doing, So he was fully in his element here. This was probably the only thing he was made to do by the aliens that he at least tolerated.

(Additionally, judging by his collar (orange), he was at least calm. maybe he just isn't fazed anymore.)

//Side note, that head contraption looks familiar BUT this most likely isn't related at least i hope

(It puts me at ease, at least..)

Dance practice

This surprised me, but I suppose Mizi needed more skills.

She looks very startled here, and nervous(?) +It looks like she's doing this while singing. And with that face covering I assume this was a test monitoring her dance balance, precision, etc. At first, I did think it was odd, "Why would Shine put her through that" But alas I was reminded that even though Mizi is the flower of the group she was never untouchable, to Shine, this was the equivalent of teaching your dog to sit and stay.

(seeing this it reminded me of those scenes in movies where the people are dancing, and the music gets faster and faster until they fall. I wonder if she was doing through something similar to that)

Singing practice (?)

Similar to Till she also looks quite calm outwardly, if the machine around her neck is an iteration of the collars they have, then this process wasn't something she liked, or given how intense this experiment looks, this was a test of high-pressure to ensure she always stayed calm during performances (?). Then again this could also be a posture practice given all the structure focused on maintaining her position.

(What I believe was another form of this test was shown before so I think so)

(With her hands in a praying stance I wonder if she was praying to herself or singing a religious song (sweet dream?) It's also interesting that the machinery around her looks like a halo, and she looks so...angelic? holy?)

Image making practice

By image making, I think they made Ivan replicate expressions with his face. Whether this process was painful for him or not...I'm not sure. But it looked visibly uncomfortable, maybe that was the point. (His expression, even in this circumstance is so dubious..)

Ivan, among other things, needed to have a spotless appearance to be successful, his image was a priority given his skills were certainly guaranteed.

I assume the aliens eventually took note of his lack of expression, in the real world this can be a detriment to one's career, so the Aliens had to ensure quality was perfect. (To a more...dedicated level)

Superiority test

'Superiority test' Is very vague.

HyunA is very calm here too, likely sedated in that water with all the tablets on her. I guess this was a test to get an idea of a pet human's strengths and weaknesses, endurance, and temperament to compare and contrast them with others, testing who is more viable for Alien stage?

Another interesting, and sad part about this is that HyunWoo was there, watching his sister through her experiments.

(Also, it looks like both of her legs are normal, no alien leg yet.)

Heart rate variability

And finally, the most visceral of them all. The wording 'variability' makes this all the more sickening, the Aliens were testing his heart hours, testing it at different rates, speeds, and states. And he was in agony the entire time. Even the way he's clutching his chest, it gives me chills. This would've been a completely harmless test in a normal setting, as something quite similar to this can be performed efficiently in real life. But he's being tortured in the process.

This is one of the first times we've ever seen Luka's face so truly clear and unprotected, (understandably so.) He's even crying.

[yourlocalabomination]

The darkness will spare my soul.

[solargeist]

grian and his watcher studies

[eirene]

The Expulsion form Eden, c. 1900

John Spencer Stanhope