Sign of the horns A demonstration of the Sign of the Horns The sign of the horns is a hand gesture with a variety of meanings and uses in various cultures. It is formed by extending the index and little fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb. Superstition[edit] In Italy and some Mediterranean cultures, when confronted with unfortunate events, or simply when these events are mentioned, the sign of the horns may be given to ward off bad luck. It is also used traditionally to counter or ward off the "evil eye" (malocchio). In Peru one says contra (against). Offensive gesture[edit] European and North American popular culture[edit] Contemporary use by musicians and fans[edit] [edit] Ronnie James Dio was known for popularizing the sign of the horns in heavy metal.[7][8] He claimed his Italian grandmother used it to ward off the evil eye (which is known in Southern Italy as malocchio). Terry "Geezer" Butler of Black Sabbath can be seen "raising the horns" in a photograph taken in 1971.
Trickster Mythology[edit] Loki cuts the hair of the goddess Sif. Frequently the Trickster figure exhibits gender and form variability, changing gender roles and even occasionally engaging in same-sex practices. Such figures appear in Native American and First Nations mythologies, where they are said to have a two-spirit nature. Loki, the Norse trickster, also exhibits gender variability, in one case even becoming pregnant. He shares the ability to change genders with Odin, the chief Norse deity who also possesses many characteristics of the Trickster. In some cultures, there are dualistic myths, featuring two demiurges creating the world, or two culture heroes arranging the world — in a complementary manner. British scholar Evan Brown suggested that Jacob in the Bible has many of the characteristics of the Trickster: Coyote[edit] Coyote often has the role of trickster as well as a clown in traditional stories. More often than not Coyote is a trickster, but he is always different. Archetype[edit]
22 Bullets Plot[edit] Three years ago mafia boss Charly Matteï retired and left the business to his old friend Tony Zacchia, and has led a peaceful life since, devoting himself to his wife and two children. His past catches up with him when he is ambushed by an eight-man hit squad in a parking lot and left for dead with 22 bullets in his body. On the hunt for the shooters, he finds himself confronted with his criminal past and resulting threat to his family. Marie Goldman is the policewoman investigating the shooting in the parking lot. In the end, Matteï is released as the cops do not have enough evidence to charge him. Cast[edit] Reno at the premiere of the film References[edit] External links[edit] Street Spirit (Fade Out) "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" (commonly referred to as "Street Spirit") is a song by English alternative rock band Radiohead, featured on their second studio album The Bends, which was released in 1995. Noted by singer-songwriter and guitarist Thom Yorke as "one of [the band's] saddest songs" and describing it as "the dark tunnel without the light at the end", "Street Spirit" was released as the band's ninth single and reached number five on the UK Singles Chart, the highest chart position the band achieved until "Paranoid Android" from OK Computer, which reached number three in 1997. Yorke has suggested that the song was inspired by the 1991 novel The Famished Road, written by Ben Okri, and that its music was inspired by R.E.M.[1] The track is built around a soft melody in A minor with an arpeggio (broken chord) guitar part. In 2008, the song was featured on Radiohead: The Best Of, a compilation album.
Sleipnir Additionally, Sleipnir is mentioned in a riddle found in the 13th century legendary saga Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks, in the 13th century legendary saga Völsunga saga as the ancestor of the horse Grani, and book I of Gesta Danorum, written in the 12th century by Saxo Grammaticus, contains an episode considered by many scholars to involve Sleipnir. Sleipnir is generally accepted as depicted on two 8th century Gotlandic image stones; the Tjängvide image stone and the Ardre VIII image stone. Scholarly theories have been proposed regarding Sleipnir's potential connection to shamanic practices among the Norse pagans. In modern times, Sleipnir appears in Icelandic folklore as the creator of Ásbyrgi, in works of art, literature, software, and in the names of ships. Attestations[edit] Poetic Edda[edit] Prose Edda[edit] An illustration of Odin riding Sleipnir from an 18th-century Icelandic manuscript. In chapter 16 of the book Skáldskaparmál, a kenning given for Loki is "relative of Sleipnir 36.
Chinatown Ethnic enclave of expatriate Chinese persons A Chinatown (Chinese: 唐人街; pinyin: Tángrénjiē; Jyutping: tong4 jan4 gaai1) is an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Middle East. The development of most Chinatowns typically resulted from mass migration to an area without any or with very few Chinese residents. Binondo in Manila, established in 1594, is recognized as the world's oldest Chinatown. Notable early examples outside Asia include San Francisco's Chinatown in the United States and Melbourne's Chinatown in Australia, which were founded in the mid-19th century during the California Gold Rush and Victorian gold rush, respectively. Definition[edit] History[edit] In Asia[edit] Several Asian Chinatowns, although not yet called by that name, have a long history.
Boss Nigger Plot[edit] Jed and his outlaws then attempt to help the imprisoned outlaw escape by blowing a hole in the prison wall using dynamite. During the resulting raid on the town Clara Mae is kidnapped and taken away by Jed's men, while a Mexican child named Poncho (who Boss had befriended) is killed. With the assistance of other residents such as the doctor and blacksmith of the town, Boss and Amos prepare by planting explosives around the town and take up firing positions out of sight. Critical analysis[edit] Initial release[edit] Later critics[edit] William Smith on Boss Nigger[edit] In a 1998 interview, Smith spoke of his experience filming Boss Nigger. Release[edit] Boss Nigger was released in some areas under the title The Boss or The Black Bounty Killer.[1] A DVD of Boss Nigger, simply titled Boss, was released in 2008.[6] References[edit] External links[edit]
Jötunn The jötnar (anglicized jotunn or jotun, plural jötnar; /ˈjoʊtən/, /ˈjoʊtʊn/, or /ˈjɔːtʊn/; Icelandic: [ˈjœːtʏn]; from Old Norse jǫtunn /ˈjɔtunː/; often glossed as giant or ettin) can be seen throughout Norse mythology. The Jötnar are a mythological race that live in Jötunheimr, one of the nine worlds of Norse cosmology. They were banished there by the Æsir who refuse them entry to their world, Asgard. The Jötnar frequently interact with the Æsir, as well as the Vanir. Etymology[edit] In Old Norse, the beings were called jǫtnar (singular jǫtunn, the regular reflex of the stem jǫtun- and the nominative singular ending -r), or risar (singular risi), in particular bergrisar ("mountain-risar"), or þursar (singular þurs), in particular hrímþursar ("rime-thurs"). Norse jötnar[edit] Origins[edit] The first living being formed in the primeval chaos known as Ginnungagap was a giant of monumental size, called Ymir. Character of the jötnar[edit] Relationship with Nature[edit] The giantess Skaði
The Villainess 2017 film by Jung Byung-gil The Villainess (Korean: 악녀, romanized: Ak Nyeo) is a 2017 South Korean action thriller film directed by Jung Byung-gil, starring Kim Ok-vin.[2] The film had its world premiere at the 70th Cannes Film Festival in May 2017.[3][4][5] Plot[edit] Sook-hee, a highly skilled assassin, enters a hallway and kills numerous people before being surrounded by cops and smiling a grim smile. Yeon-soo learns that she is pregnant and offers her freedom if she trains with them and works as an agent for 10 years. Past: A 7 year old Sook-Hae witnesses her father's death committed by a mysterious killer, but Sook-hee does not get a look at the killer's face; she only hears him whistling an eerie tune. Joong-sang decides to train Sook-hee to be a killing machine, and she becomes devoted to him. Present: While on a mission with another agent named Min-ju, Yeon-soo is caught stealing a phone, where Min-ju is killed in the ensuing fight. Cast[edit] Cameo[edit] Release[edit]