Title: Taiwan's Presbyterians Propose New Logo Taiwan Church News 2825 17-23 April 2006 Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Written by David Alexander
The logo of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
(PCT), which has been in use for decades and adorns stationery, walls, flags and gifts presented to visitors, is undergoing a change. The original mark, a round design with a burning bush and the church¡¦s founding date,1865, at its center, has the Chinese ideographs for "The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan" around its top half and the church motto, "Aflame Yet Not Consumed" at the bottom. It is usually presented in blue and red on a white background. The burning bush symbolism is traditionally Reformed. It¡¦s graphic presentation reveals more about the time when it was designed than about the nature of the church in contemporary Taiwan.
The newly designed logo, presented on flags and posters at the PCT¡¦s General Assembly from 18-21 April, has done away with the blue color altogether. It remains circular, but instead of wide and narrow bands, it has a single narrow one in lavender. The burning bush remains, but in a stylized form. It is lavender and circular empty center. In place of the branches, thorns and flames of the old bush, this one is made up of doves, the topmost of which is red, representing the Holy Spirit. This echoes a statement in the church's 1985 statement of faith, "the Holy Spirit, dwells among us, and grants us power, so that we may bear witness among all peoples until the Lord comes again"
Instead of a tree trunk, the circle of flame emerges from an altar upon which the date 1865 is inscribed and under which the ¡§Aflame Yet Not Consumed¡¨ motto is presented. The altar, green in color, is in the shape of the latin letter T to symbolize Taiwan. At the center of the altar (and hence of the logo) the Cross of Christ, bright red, penetrates to the heart of the ¡§T¡¨. It¡¦s presentation indicates Christ taking root at the very center of Taiwan¡¦s identity. The bottom quadrant of the circle bears the Chinese ideographs giving the name of the church.
PCT General Secretary Chang Te-chien says that after formal acceptance by the Assembly, the mark will be put into general use throughout the church and in its relationships with ecumenical partners worldwide.
For more information: Chang Te-chien <mailto:gs@mail.pct.org.tw>gs@mail.pct.org.tw Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages. Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw