Table of Contents
Let's write about nationalism and old politics using Leviathan and rhinoceros as symbolic creatures to drive home the message.
Introduction
In
recent times, many different electorates from many countries have two choices
in the bid to elect a leader: A President or a prime Minister. They must choose
between Mr./Mrs. Leviathan and Mr./Mrs. Rhinoceros. Each choice has its
implications.
The
imagery of the leviathan and rhinoceros as imagined by the author are both interesting
and powerful symbolism. The choice of either the Leviathan or the Rhinoceros
can cause paradigm shifts in the people’s psyche, way of life, institutions,
and domestic and foreign policies. It could be a choice to consolidate a nation’s
political triumphalism for stability, integrity, freedom, and prosperity, and
solidify its position in the world, through its institutions, values, and innovations
or it could be a choice for reversals, backwardness, impulsiveness, chaos, and
destruction.
Many
times, in this stone age, nationalism spews out an old politics where elections
are fought under the veneer of different competing party frames, in such abstract
terms as ‘red vs blue’, ‘conservatism vs liberalism’, ‘north vs south’, ‘right
vs left’, ‘make America great again’ vs ‘stronger together’, ‘Brexit means
Brexit’ vs ‘Remain’, ‘Yes vs No’. Such political bait oftentimes influences the
electorate's decisions and the nationalists’ bickering cliches often produce
irresponsible candidates as the people’s representatives. The cliches and politiques
notwithstanding, each party’s flag bearer, party leader, or presidential
candidate drives the political bandwagon of either despair or hope, poverty or
prosperity, oppression or freedom, inertia, or productivity.
In
this writing, two powerful creatures will demonstrate the qualities and competencies
of two inevitable choices. Drilling down the symbolism of both creatures and
drawing out their differences may bring to the fore the political implications
of each electorate’s vote in their different choice for a president or prime
minister.
The Leviathan
Leviathan
is a creature quite biblical, and mythological and has been satirized by some
authors, such as Thomas Hobbes, to describe the nature of society and the role
of government. Among other things, Hobbes argues for the relevance of a
centralized government to prevent chaos and instill peace and order.
Etymologically,
the term leviathan can be said to originate from Hebrew, and the root לוה
(lwh), meaning “twisted in folds.” Biblically, Leviathan is a sea serpent
and is described in various pages of the scripture, such as the Psalms, Job,
Isaiah, Amos, and Jonah. It is viewed as the toughest and most monstrous
creature dwelling in the depths. Leviathan is used to describe chaos,
destruction, and threat that was subdued by God when he turned the “tohu
wa-bohu” into a cosmos.
For
Christian theologians, among the group of vices, namely pride, greed, lust,
envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth, Leviathan is associated with envy. But this
Leviathan was conquered again by the Cross of Christ by his heavenly virtues of
prudence, justice, temperance, courage, faith, hope, and love.
Among
different ancient traditions, the Leviathan was represented by different names.
Among the Ugaritic people, it is a sea monster known as Lotan which was
eventually conquered by the god Ball Hadad. It is likened to the Mesopotamian
goddess, Tiamat who was conquered by Marduk.
Leviathan,
as powerful as it might seem to be, is the most hated creature of destruction
and chaos in ancient civilizations. Whichever sea it dwelt; the people invoked
their gods to conquer it. Because it was conceived as a threat and constant
danger to the people.
Mr./Mrs. Leviathan
When
Leviathan becomes Mr./Mrs. Leviathan, either inherits all its attributes. Mr./Mrs.
Leviathan is a creature of habit, who lacks forethought and self-control. The
Latin has an adage that goes this way: “Nemo dat quod non habet.” This
can be taken literally or legally; it depends on the way you view it.
Mr./Mrs.
Leviathan cannot give justice they do not have, prudence, they do not have, temperance,
they do not have or any other virtues. But one thing is sure. They will
continue to unleash the one thing they do have: Envy.
Envy
is a strong emotion of resentment against someone else’s qualities, possessions,
good grace, status, achievements, and successes. As a result, the envier is
consumed with a variety of negative thoughts and behaviours leading to anger,
bitterness, and violence.
A
choice of a Leviathan is a choice of forfeiture of freedom, peace, and justice and
a subscription to chaos, destruction of values and institutions, and a threat
to democracy.
The Rhinoceros
The
name rhinoceros is derived from two Greek words: “rhino” meaning “nose” and “keras”
meaning “horn.” Rhinoceroses are considered endangered creatures because of poaching
and habitat loss. Both threats come from humans. First, human greed and the quest
for wanton pursuit of wealth gave rise to the incessant illegal trade of rhino
horns. Second, as humans clear more fields for agriculture and perhaps new
homes, rhinos are displaced from their habitat.
The
rhinoceros is a heavy and powerful creature. The white rhino of African species
has a height between 5 and 6 feet and a weight between 3,080 and 7,920 pounds. That
is approximately between 1,399.1 kilograms and 3,590.8 kilograms. It is a heavy
creature. But it does not make noise about its size and weight.
According
to Elise MacDonald, “Rhinos are highly paradoxical animals; they have strength
but choose to be gentle and tolerant. They are lazy but can be aggressive as
well. Above all, they look like carnivores but are pure herbivores. Rhinos
represent kindness, gentleness, tolerance, and a sense of being grounded. On
the other hand, they are also symbolic of authority, ancient wisdom, stability,
comfort, and freedom.” The rhino is a creature imbued with rich symbolism across
many cultures and beliefs.
For
some African cultures, the golden rhino is considered a link between the land
and its people to the point that the link is considered a sacred thread linking
the land and the people. At the same time, in some parts of Africa, rhinos are killed,
and their meat is served to the highest members of the tribe.
In
ancient Chinese culture, rhinos could be used to concoct medicines that could
relieve ailments such as headaches, fever, muscle pain, and broken ribs. They
also used the horn of a rhino to test the presence of poison. As a mark of
honour for the valiant, the skin of rhinos was used to make amour for the
highest rank of soldiers during the rule of the Zhou Dynasty.
Rhinoceroses
have great size and strength. One would imagine that a creature with such
qualities would go about bullying and bulldozing every other animal on its path.
Not the rhinoceros. It chooses to use its power in a non-violent style. This
means the rhinoceros is gentle, kind, and forbearing. Rhinoceros teaches us
that having power or enormous strength does not mean that you should oppress
others or make life unbearable for the weak. The rhinoceros encourages humans
to live in peace and mutual respect.
The
rhinoceroses are considered among the oldest creatures on earth. They deserve respect
and honour from humans. As such, they can be said to symbolize authority,
wisdom, continuity, stability, and comfort. The rhinos bear lots of insults and
that is why they have a strong equilibrium of strength and gentleness.
The
rhinoceros is a well-grounded and balanced creature. It cannot be shaken either
by wind or tide. For some, it symbolizes freedom and difference and is well-connected
to the earth. Besides, if anyone dreams about a rhinoceros, it could be
interpreted as someone who requires physical strength, protection, and need for
security.
Mr./Mrs. Rhinoceros
When
the Rhinoceros becomes Mr./Mrs. Rhinoceros, they inherit all its qualities. Mr./Mrs.
Rhinoceros is a creature of spontaneity. They can act on the spur of the moment
without any preconceived notions. They are creative and are willing to take
risks.
Mr./Mrs.
Rhinoceros is old but makes a lot of sense. They squeak, moo, snort, and growl
as expected of an old person, but they are stable, strong, gentle, kind, just,
wise, and focused. They are grounded and have everything under control.
A
choice of rhinoceros is a choice of justice, peace, calm, progress, continuity,
prosperity, stability, comfort, and freedom.
Old Politics vs New Politics
Across
the continents, from America to Europe, from Asia to Africa, and Australia, the
trending phenomenon is old politics of an extreme type of nationalism that produces
different conspiracy theories. In the United States, they call it woke culture,
in Europe, some refer to it as replacement theory, in Africa some fundamental
insurgent groups construe it as ‘Boko haram’, or ‘decolonialization of the continent’,
in South America, it is conventional politics, and in the Middle East, it is the
blurring lines between the states and terrorism. On every side are the ugly
heads of pocket or wannabe dictators creeping in on the different political
stages of many countries.
The
old politics appeal to the illiberal minds and those who feel like Leviathan.
The electorates of this right are always on the offensive and easily led to
arms and violence to protect what they think is ‘dear’ to them.
As
the old politics are being resurrected by some fanatical fundamentalists, new
politics are sweeping different continents. New politics inspired by young
and liberal minds challenges traditional politics and aims to fight for social
justice, climate change, economic inequality, freedom for all people, and a safer
world.
New
politics can be likened to the rhinoceros. It is well-connected to the people,
the grassroots, people with disabilities, the vulnerable, animal rights, the
poor, and suffering. They fight corruption and corrupt leadership in all its
ramifications using social media as a means of spreading information and their
only weapon.
So,
next time while at the poll, when you lift your finger to ‘ink’ a
representative and vote, consider very well the choice you are about to make.
Are you voting for a Leviathan or are you voting for a Rhinoceros?
Sources
“Rhinoceros Symbolism and Meaning (Totem, Spirit and Omens)” in Animal Hype by Elise MacDonald, https://animalhype.com/symbolism/rhinoceros/ Accessed 27/12/2023.
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