The Orfeus Research name

Orfeus Research is named after the Greek mythical figure of Orfeus, often depicted playing the Lyre, which he did to such perfection that nothing could withstand the charm of his music. The most well-known Orfeus story concerns his descent into the underworld in search of his wife Eurydice, who died by a snake bite while fleeing the advances of a shepherd. Orfeus sang his grief to all who passed, and finally resolved to seek his wife in the regions of the dead. He succeeded in persuading the guardians of the underworld to let him enter by the beauty of his music and poetry and he continued to make all he met weep by recounting his tragic love story until Eurydice was summoned to his side.

Orfeus was permitted to take her away with him on one condition - that he should not turn around to look at her until they had reached the exit. Orfeus led Eurydice through the dark and steep passages of the underworld until they had nearly reached the exit, when, in a moment of forgetfulness, he cast a glance behind him to ensure that Eurydice was still following, thus casting her back into the nether of the underworld. The story has a somewhat happier ending that can be found on the following website:  

www.bulfinch.org/fables/bull24.html

www.loggia.com/myth/eurydice.html

http://gondolin.hist.liv.ac.uk/~azaroth/university/orfeo/node2.html

Although the 'Orfeus' figure is often associated with music or poetry, his qualities are also relevant in the field of research and policy:

• Creativeness
• Skill
• The ability to enchant and convince
• Conviction of purpose
• Perseverance
• Sensitivity
• Originality
• The pursuit of beauty and truth.

 The Orfeus Research logo

The Orfeus Research logo is an adaptation of another ancient Greek symbol known as the Triskelion or Trinacria (from the Greek "three-legged"). The triskelion was a symbol of the movement of the sun [rising, zenith and setting] through the heavens. Today it is also the national symbol of the Isle of Man and Sicily. Throughout history, people have used versions of the Triskelion to represent balance, harmony and movement between three main elements. In the Orfeus Research logo, the open book centred within the Triskelion represents a balanced approach to research in terms of the sources of knowledge, the disciplines of knowledge and the methods applied to gain it. The logo also represents several of the key research themes and areas of expertise that Orfeus Research focuses on:

Finally, unlike Orfeus who turned to look back, the movement of the legs in the logo is a reminder of the importance to keep looking and moving forward when navigating the sometimes difficult stages that are encountered in the research and policy process.

Further information and examples of triskelion symbols can be found on the following websites:

http://flagspot.net/flags/im.html