Blog post 8

​Not a Trinacria

​I do not know much about emojis. I understand that they add another layer to texting to convey emotions or shorten longer written messages. Maybe even pass on a secret code. I also don’t know what goes into making emojis. Furthermore, I have no idea what goes into getting an emoji design passed and added on as an option on your phone and apps. However, I think it’s time to add another one to the vast existing assortment. I think it’s time for a trinacria emoji.

I will explain for those of you who don’t know what that is. The trinacria is the symbol that represents the largest island in the Mediterranean sea. The Italian island of Sicily and its people. The trinacria has a few variations, but the main one is depicted on the Sicilian flag. It’s the head of Medusa, the gorgon in the center with snake hair and a set of wings. Then three bent legs create a triangular shape, referencing the form of the island. This is followed by each of the three legs representing a cape city around the island. Passero is located in the south, Peloro is located in the northeast, and Lilibeo is located in the west. Ending with three stalks of wheat added in during Roman times when Sicily was a major grain producer for the Roman Empire.   

Currently, one does not exist. However, I think it is necessary because the three-legged symbol being used in its place is the flag representing the Isle of Man. For those of you who don’t know, the Isle of Man is entirely surrounded by other much larger islands. Located in the middle of the United Kingdom. Encircled by Northern Ireland, Ireland, England and Wales. They have a population of under 100,000 people, which makes me wonder how they even got an emoji flag as an option.

In contrast, Sicily has a population of 5 million people, not including the diasporas abroad. So, of course, I’m not writing about getting a Sicilian flag emoji. Instead, I’m writing about getting a trinacria emoji.

I don’t think I’m the only one thinking this. When I see people on social media comment about Sicily or being Sicilian and, in some rare instances creating Sicilian-themed content, the flag of the Isle of Man is used to represent Sicilian people and culture. I think Sicilians should have a trinacria emoji versus redefining the meaning of someone else’s flag. Other Italian-themed emojis already exist. Aside from the Italian flag, there’s the plate of spaghetti with the fork; pizza slice, malocchio, the (what) hand gesture, and the (two horns) hand gesture. I don’t think a trinacria emoji being created is that much of a stretch, and the people from the Isle of Man can have their flag as a symbol correctly represented them.