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What does this symbol mean?

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Jul 18, 2012, 12:56 PM
mountainbeach
What does this symbol mean?
A friend of mine has this quilt dated 1907-1909 and I was curious as to what the symbol means. She says good luck or good living. Just wondering if anyone has any info on it? TIA


Jul 18, 2012, 01:42 PM
TcMay
I believe that is Friendship....nice summer quilt there.


May
"In Michigan"
Jul 18, 2012, 03:42 PM
joobee
Looks like 4 F's, I'd vote for friendship too.
Jul 18, 2012, 03:46 PM
toryam
Looks like a swastika design. Pre-Hitler it was used as a symbol for good luck or good fortune by some native Americans. It was also used in Japan as a map symbol indicating a temple or holy area. Pretty quilt, love the color


www.kingstreasure.etsy.com

http://runninstitch.blogspot.com/
Jul 18, 2012, 05:43 PM
native Texan
very interesting and cute. Friendship sounds good. I know i've seen the swirls going in both directions but not ones that look like F's.


CC

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v626/nativetexan44/
Jul 18, 2012, 05:59 PM
quilting wifey
Only at a glance would you think of swastika first. This one has too many bars for it to be one.

I have no idea what it used to represent. Nice work on it though.


Madelyn
Jul 18, 2012, 06:51 PM
Bozie
I think the signatures? on one F in each block fit with the friendship idea.


Martha

Helping to fight Alzheimer's one little quilt at a time. AAQI
Jul 18, 2012, 07:00 PM
EvelynB
Looks like there's signatures on it too so friendship makes sense. Wonder if it was made for FrNd Farmer and Fanny Farmer? LOL
Jul 18, 2012, 07:16 PM
EvelynB
I love Wikipedia! The father of gymnastics Frederich Jahn used FFFF:
Jahn popularized the motto "Frisch, Fromm, Fröhlich, Frei" ("Hardy, Pious, Cheerful, Free") in the early 19th century. Perhaps this was made by or for a German or gymnast.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: EvelynB,
Jul 18, 2012, 07:55 PM
EvelynB
Four F's is common on beer steins. I thought it was an ornate cross.
Jul 18, 2012, 08:02 PM
EvelynB
Interesting article about followers of Jahn who immigrated:
http://www.cincinnativiews.net/turners.htm