General Questions Thread

[ZephyrLeanne]

Originally Posted by Marina

Not really silly, but a random question nonetheless:
Does anyone know where I can download the font 'wtf new strike,' or whatever font is used for the Aria logo?
Please PM me the answer if you know ^_^

Apparently, it's sort-of... copyrighted, and you'll have to purchase it... from the production company.

Here's a new one...
In Ep 24 of CLANNAD, was Tomoyo REALLY speaking English, or some other European lanugage?

[Kakashi]

Originally Posted by ShimatheKat

In Ep 24 of CLANNAD, was Tomoyo REALLY speaking English, or some other European lanugage?

I think she was speaking German.

[ZephyrLeanne]

Well, I thought it was Italian.

[mangalowres]

Originally Posted by ShimatheKat

Apparently, it's sort-of... copyrighted, and you'll have to purchase it... from the production company.

Here's a new one...
In Ep 24 of CLANNAD, was Tomoyo REALLY speaking English, or some other European lanugage?

Which time was that around?

[ZephyrLeanne]

Originally Posted by mangalowres

Which time was that around?

Last third of the episode.

[mangalowres]

It is English and not German or Italian at all.

[Katharos8]

Where do birthstones come from? I've seen so many different lists. How are they decided?

[mangalowres]

Originally Posted by Katharos8

Where do birthstones come from? I've seen so many different lists. How are they decided?

What is a birthstone

[Zu Ra]

Originally Posted by Katharos8

Where do birthstones come from? I've seen so many different lists. How are they decided?

A birthstone is a gift of a precious material (jewelry, mainly gemstones; themselves traditionally associated with various qualities) that symbolizes the month of birth in the Gregorian Calendar



Origin of BirthStone

The development of the belief that each month had a particular stone associated with it, originating with the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, and the earliest text (by Flavius Josephus) mentioning stones associated with the months of the year.

Spoiler for More Details:

Source : http://www.jjkent.com/articles/origin-birth-stones.htm

The origin of the belief that to each month of the year a special stone was dedicated, and that the stone of the month was endowed with a peculiar virtue for those born in that month and was their natal stone, may be traced back to the writings of Josephus, in the first century of our era, and to those of St. Jerome, in the early part of the fifth century. Both these authors distinctly proclaim the connection between the twelve stones of the high-priest's breastplate and the twelve months of the year, as well as the twelve zodiacal signs. Strange to say, however, in spite of this early testimony, we have no instance of the usage of wearing such stones as natal stones until a comparatively late date; indeed, it appears that this custom originated in Poland some time during the eighteenth century. The reason for this seems to have been that the virtues attributed to each particular stone, more especially the therapeutic virtues, rendered it necessary to recommend the wearing of one or the other, according to the disease from which the person was suffering, for his natal stone might not have the power to cure his particular ailment, or might not bring about the fulfilment of his dearest wish. In other words, the belief in the special virtues of the stone was paramount, and it was long before the mystic bond between the stone of the month and the person born in that month was fully realized.


The order in which the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem are given in the book of Revelation determined the succession of natal stones for the months. The first stone was assigned to St. Peter and to the month of March, to the leader of the apostles and to the month of the spring equinox; the second to the month of April; the third to May, etc. When, however, many centuries later,-probably in Poland, as we have stated,-with the aid of the rabbis or the Hebrew gem traders, the wearing of natal stones became usual, certain changes had been made in this order and some stones not mentioned among those of the breastplate, or of the New Jerusalem, were substituted for certain of these,-notably the turquoise for the month of December, the ruby for July, and the diamond for April. In modern times the turquoise has become the stone for July while the ruby has been assigned to December.


There is some evidence in favor of the theory that at the outset all twelve stones were acquired by the same person and worn in turn, each one during the respective month to which it was assigned, or during the ascendancy of its zodiacal sign. The stone of the month was believed to exercise its therapeutic or talismanic virtue to the fullest extent at that period. Perhaps the fact that this entailed a monthly change of ornaments may rather have been a recommendation of the usage than the reverse. (Bruckmann, "Abhandlung von Edelsteinen," 2d ed., Braunschweig, 1773, p. 358.)


It seems highly probable that the development of the belief in natal stones that took place in Poland was due to the influence of the Jews who settled in that country shortly before we have historic notice of the use of the twelve stones for those born in the respective months. The lively interest always felt by the Jews regarding the gems of the breastplate, the many and various commentaries their learned men have written upon this subject, and the fact that the well-to-do among the chosen people have always carried with them in their wanderings many precious stones, all this seems to make it likely that to the Jews should be attributed the fashion of wearing natal stones.


However, whether this conjecture be correct or erroneous, the fashion once started became soon quite general and has as many votaries to-day as ever before. There can be no doubt that the owner of a ring or ornament set with a natal stone is impressed with the idea of possessing something more intimately associated with his or her personality than any other stone, however beautiful or costly it may be. If it be objected that this is nothing but imagination due to sentiment, we must bear in mind that imagination is one of the most potent factors in our life; indeed, the great Napoleon is quoted as saying that it ruled the world.


Probably the very earliest text we have in which the stones of the breastplate are positively associated with the months of the year is to be found in the "Antiquities of the Jews," by Flavius Josephus. (Flavii Josephi, ed. Dindorf, Parisii, 1847, vol. ii, p. 97; "Antiq. Sud," lib. iii, cap. 7, paragraph 7.) This runs as follows:


"Moreover, the vestments of the high-priest being made of linen signifies the earth, the blue denotes the sky, being like lightning in its pomegranates, and resembling thunder in the noise of the bells. And as for the ephod, it showed that God had made the universe of four elements, and as for the gold interwoven in it, I suppose it related to the splendor by which all things are to be enlightened. He also appointed the breastplate to be placed in the middle of the ephod to resemble the earth, for that occupies the middle place in the world; and the gindle, which encompassed the high priest about, signifies the ocean, for that goes about everything. And the two sardonyxes that were in the clasps on the high-priest's shoulders, indicate to us the sun and the moon. And for the twelve stones, whether we understand by them the months, or the twelve signs of what the Greeks call the zodiac, we shall not be mistaken in their meaning. And for the cap, which was of a blue color, it seems to me to mean heaven, for otherwise the name of God would not have been inscribed upon it. That it was also adorned with a crown, and that of gold also. is because of the splendor with which God is pleased."


This passage was adapted by St. Jerome, three hundred years later, in his letter to Fabiola, (Sancti Hieronymi, "Opera Omnia," ed. Migne, Parisiis, 1877, vol. i, col. 616; Epistola lxiv, paragraph 16.) and undoubtedly laid the foundation for the later custom of wearing one of these stones as a natal or birth-stone for a person born in a given month, or for an astral or zodiacal stone for one born under a given zodiacal sign. As we see, both uses are indicated by the passage of Josephus. In the later centuries, as the book of Revelation, which was generally less favored at the outset than the other parts of the New Testament, became a subject of devout study, and a mine of mystical suggestions, the twelve foundation stones (Rev. xxi, 19) of the New Jerusalem largely took the place of the stones of the breastplate. While this list of foundation stones is unquestionably based upon the much earlier list of the stones adorning Aaron's breastplate, the ordering differs considerably and there are some changes in the material; possibly many, if not all, of these differences may be due to textual errors or to a transcription from memory.

Tradional BirthStone List

Often combined with modern birthstone lists, traditional birthstones are older society-based birthstones. Since many different cultures had their own list, jewelers' lists are often inconsistent over what constitutes a traditional birthstone.The Gregorian calendar has poems matching each month with its birthstone. These are traditionally the stones in English-speaking societies. Three of the verses are repeats

Spoiler for space:

By her who in January was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.

By her who in March was born
No gem save Bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.

Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an Emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.

By her who in June was born
No gem save Pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The gleaming Ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.

Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.

A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.

October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.

If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems

Various Birthstones by Culture

Spoiler for img:

[mangalowres]

Oh what a crap but thanks now I remember ... I hope I can forget it again

[Solafighter]

Can someone suggest me a good translator for japanese <-> german translator? Would be great if its a word translator, so i only type in only one word and it will give me a output. Like a dictionary.

Thanks a lot.

(I found a nice one some time ago, but cause of format i lost it. )

[The Chaos]

Originally Posted by Solafighter

Can someone suggest me a good translator for japanese <-> german translator? Would be great if its a word translator, so i only type in only one word and it will give me a output. Like a dictionary.

Thanks a lot.

(I found a nice one some time ago, but cause of format i lost it. )

you Can use Google translator

[-KarumA-]

okay since we were talking about birthstones and such, I was wondering about something involving my sign. My birth date is 22 November and in some magazines I'm Scorpio and in the other Sagittarius, sometimes they place the beginning of Sagittarius on 22 Nov and other times 23 Nov. So which of the two is now officially the start date of Sagittarius?

[Zu Ra]

Your a Scorpio but more so a cusp of both signs . Linda Goodman who is pretty much a bible on star signs also lists you as a Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) . To broadly define it your a Cusp . Your poses the traits of Scorpio and Sagittarius .

CUSP : http://www.astrology.com/allaboutyou...gittarius.html

I am born somewhere closeby so I have checked up about cusps but I am not ^^

[-KarumA-]

Originally Posted by Geta Boshi

Your a Scorpio but more so a cusp of both signs . Linda Goodman who is pretty much a bible on star signs also lists you as a Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) . To broadly define it your a Cusp . Your poses the traits of Scorpio and Sagittarius .

CUSP : http://www.astrology.com/allaboutyou...gittarius.html

I am born somewhere closeby so I have checked up about cusps but I am not ^^

that article was quite interesting it had me described in a nutshell ha ha it was really weird to read

[Zu Ra]

Linda Goodman she is the best in field of Astrology but she hates Sagittarius <.< . The Cusp one yeah its pretty interesting. .

[amjzz]

Probably an stupid question but what this emoticon means:

everyone seem to use it...what is the name of this emoticon?.

[Zu Ra]

Not sure about the big one but the small one means : == :awesome

[felix]

Are you sure, I always though it meant nerd or something along the lines of thinking multiple things at once or being retarded.

[Zu Ra]

Yep the icon is used in another forum and there the samll icon is stated as :awesome