Of Cars and War

I'm the god of war. The Greeks called me Aries, the Romans referred to me as Mars but you can take your pick. I'm the symbol of virility, weapons, bloodshed and masculinity. I reap vengeance on the enemy and require reverence and fear from my followers. Why am I driving around with a bumper sticker that reads "Arms are for Hugging”?

For a number of years I have been pointing out to people who care to listen that I find the symbol used on Volvo’s quite ironic. It's difficult concept to grasp. Why would a car manufacture pick it? I've never really been sure.

The majority of Volvo drivers tend to shy away from the whole war thing. I believe that most people who drive the Swedish automobile are rather left leaning. It might have to do with the socialist bent of the Swedish government, the companies green manufacturing ideals, or it might just be a strange coincidence. Either way the stereotype, seems to hold. You don’t see many gun toting hillbillies driving Volvos. Most people that I point this symbol out to are astonished. Surprised by the fact that it has the nerve to sit there, insulting their beliefs and ideology.

So what were they thinking?

“…The symbol for Volvo's cars was the sign for iron – a circle with a diagonal arrow. The idea was to associate with Swedish steel, renowned for its durability...” Taken from volocars.com

So that's the story, but it's still pretty funny. When I'm driving down the road and see a Volvo I have trouble not snickering. As I sit in traffic I find my self putting Aries in the car with a ponytail and tie-dye shirt singing Credence Clearwater Revival.

I wonder what the Greeks would say?