Taking It Apart: Ragger Emblem

The Rag has had a long and eventful life and it has changed in many ways, but it as still an instrument to aid in the building of Christian character at YMCA summer camps. The real test of the Rag is in how its members conduct themselves in the year round program of the YMCA, and in their home, school, church and community. The design of the rag blends four well-known shapes - the traditional YMCA triangle, the square, the circle, and the cross.

You see above the Emblem of the Ragger.

THE CIRCLE stands for the circle of friendship of all YMCA’s and people around the world – wherever they may be.



THE SQUARE represents the foursquare life of a true Ragger: physical, social, spiritual, and mental.




THE TRIANGLE stands for strength because it is the strongest geometric figure known to man. Because of this strength – we have named the three points: Body, Mind, and Spirit – to remind you to keep the challenge that you have accepted for yourself.


And at the center of our emblem and at the center of our hearts – lies THE CROSS. It appears so that we never forget the wonderful lesson that Jesus taught to us through His life – His example and His words.


The above information is taken directly from the Rag Ceremonies.

In the Spirit of Camp,
Allison

Taking It Apart: John 17:21 Emblem

With the great history in mind and ministry outreach focus, lets take a look at how the YMCA emblem represents this organization’s history and purpose. Few organizations have as meaningful and rich an emblem as the YMCA. These are all of the parts:

THE DOUBLE CIRCLE: One circle symbolizes the completeness and unity of the total of life and God’s created order. The other symbolizes a wedding ring, friendship and love without end, among individuals. Within these circles or rings, the rest of the emblem is placed.


THE GREEK LETTERS CHI & RHO (XP): The first two letters of the word Christos - meaning Christ - and in themselves the emblem of early Christianity.



THE TWO TRIANGLES: One standing for the trinity within the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The other, the trinity within man, that of the spirit, the mind and the body.


THE BIBLE: It is opened to Jesus’ intercessory prayer for his followers in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, verse 21. This text was set forth as the foundation of the YMCA:

“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me
and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world
may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21

The context of this passage was emphasizing that the followers of Christ should have such love and care for one another and for those around them that the rest of the world would believe, because of this genuine love.

Therefore the complete assembly of all these component parts gives this great organization the emblem.

In the Spirit of Camp,
Allison

The above information was found at http://www.ymcamacon.org/YMCA%20Emblem.htm