Rastafarian culture - Symbols and beliefs

Jah ( Jehovah) Rastafarians are monotheists, worshipping a singular God whom they call Jah. Jah is the term in the "KJV (King James Version of the Bible) Psalm 68" Rastas see Jah as being in the form of the Holy Trinity, that is, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Rastas say that Jah, in the form of the Holy Spirit (incarnate), lives within the human, and for this reason they often refer to themselves as "I and I". Furthermore, "I and I" is used instead of "We", and is used in this way to emphasize the equality between all people, in the belief that the Holy Spirit within all people makes them essentially one and the same.

Zion vs. Babylon Rastafarians assert that Zion (i.e., Africa, especially Ethiopia) is a land that Jah promised to them. To achieve this, they reject modern western society, calling it "Babylon", which they see as entirely corrupt. "Babylon" is considered to have been in rebellion against "Earth's Rightful Ruler" (Jah) ever since the days of the Biblical king Nimrod. They also claim that they are the real Children of Israel. Rastafarians seek to validate a link between Ethiopia and Israel, pointing to the title Lion of Judah (,the symbol of the Israelite tribe of Judah) and their goal is to repatriate to Mount Zion, that is, Africa.

Dreadlocks: One of the most visible practices of Rastafarians is the wearing of one's hair in dreadlocks. Dreadlocks have several purposes and layers of meaning for Rastafarians, including:

the biblical command not to cut one's hair (Leviticus 21:5)

the appearance of the lion's mane, representing strength, Africa, Ethiopia, and the Lion of Judah naturalness and simplicity, which are associated with Africa the Rasta's roots in Africa

"Not every dread is a Rasta and not every Rasta is a dread..."; "It's not the dread upon your head, but the love inna your heart, that mek ya Rastaman" claims Sugar Minott. The locks, because of their appearance, symbolize the roots of the man, and his spirituality, the link with Jah. As Marcus Garvey said, "a man without knowing of his past is like a tree without roots". Rastafari associate dreadlocks with a spiritual journey that one takes in the process of locking their hair (growing hair locks) . It is thought that patience is the key to growing locks, a journey of the mind, soul and spirituality. Its spiritual pattern is aligned with the Rastafari movement. The way to form natural dreadlocks is to allow hair to grow in its natural pattern, without cutting, combing or brushing, but simply to wash it with pure water. The wearing of dreads also has spread among people of other ethnicities, including those whose hair is not naturally suited to the style. Locks worn for stylish reasons are sometimes referred to as "bathroom locks", to distinguish them from the kind that are purely natural. Rasta purists also sometimes refer to such dreadlocked individuals as "wolves", as in "a wolf in sheep's clothing", especially when they are seen as trouble-makers who might potentially discredit or infiltrate Rastafari.

The Ganja On the island, ganja started out as medicine used by herbalists. For Rastafarians, the smoking of ganja became a spiritual act often accompanied by Bible reading. They believe it cleans the body and the mind and has the ability to heal the soul bringing one closer to Jah (God). "Healing of the nations', also known as hemp, cannabis, or marijuana, is used as a holy sacrament by Rastas in many ways. The legend says that the Holy Herb was found growing on the King Solomon's grave. Use of herb has its source in the Bible: "Thou shalt eat the herb of the
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field." (Genesis 3:18), "eat every herb of the land." (Exodus 10:12), "Better is a dinner of herb where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred there with." (Proverbs 15:17), "He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the service of man." (Psalms 104:14) Rastas smoke herb for rituals or to meditate, symbolizing the burning bush, and for his curative properties (ie asthma). Herb can be eaten or infused. His seeds are very nutritious. Hemp is also used to make clothes, shoes and ropes.

Rasta flag Each color of the flag stands for something Rastas believe in. Red stands for the blood that bleeds to the Earth, replenishes the land, and helps to grow ganja. Green stands for the vegetation of Africa. And gold stands for the prosperity Africa offered before the extraction of diamonds and gold during slavery. It also represents the sun, which gives life to all. In addition to the colors of the flag, black is also significant to Rastas. The colors of the Ethiopian flag, along with black, make up the colors of Pan-African Unity for Marcus Garvey.

The Conquering Lion and the Lamb They both symbolize HIM Haile Selassie according to the Revelations and the opening of the seven seals. They are two faces of a same reality, the Alpha and Omega. Also, it refers to the Lion of Judah.