Wednesday, September 23, 2009

About the Project Enlighten Logo


Many of our supporters have asked us about our logo and the meaning behind the colors and design. The logo itself is primarily circular, with four circular rings: green, orange, brown and the center, golden. The Golden center of the logo, albeit not the most prominent feature, blooms a delicate and hearty Lotus flower. There are four ringlets of lotus petals surrounding the heart of the lotus flower. The left side of the sphere is adorned with a four-tiered green bamboo shoot, with two sets of leaves leaning from the side. The font style and colors were carefully chosen to reflect the powerful nature of selfless giving and the heart of humanity.

We wanted to have colors that gave an organic feel while promoting happiness, health, peace and posterity. The color green is associated with growth, nature and the environment. The large ringlet of green encourages the reciprocation of growth and life. The bold color orange brings energy to the intricacy of our program. It is another color associated with nature and even more so, with fire. Orange is a vibrant, stimulating and social color with a connotation relating to fertility, energy and balance. Brown is known for its connection to Earth and nature, which is an essential element within Project Enlighten. We incorporate nature friendly practices in everything we do. Our goal is to maximize our efficiency while creating as little impact on the environment as possible. In promoting self sustaining programs, we encourage the people and communities we work with to focus on the same concept. Gold is a color of enrichment and enlightenment, which goes hand in hand with our organization. Harvested from earthen soil, gold holds great value in almost every culture. Just as our organization, gold is associated with enlightenment. Both come from very humble beginnings but when value and beauty are exposed, they are able to attain great feats. We see the future of Project Enlighten growing with great strength and beauty.

Bamboo is a symbol for longevity, strength and grace. It promotes good health, harmony and a peaceful life. The inherent nature of the plant allows for it to readily bend without breaking easily. We see Project Enlighten in a similar light to this hearty plant, bamboo. Our ability to grow and be flexible as new needs are identified is so very important. The straight stem of bamboo symbolizes the path towards enlightenment, the segments of the stem being the steps along the way, signifying a climb up the ladder of success. With each year that passes, we gain experience and knowledge that will continue to make us a better organization. Bamboo is symbolic of prosperity and encourages success in business ventures. Clusters of green sprouts and leaves give light to growth and tenacity. Its mysterious, unique appearance, bamboo is thought to be a sacred plant and essential in the creation of positive environmental energy, both indoors and out. It is believed that bamboo, which has been treated and cultivated under natural growing conditions, has greater power and energy. Bamboo evokes success, peace, harmony, and is considered lucky.

The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the "primeval mud of materialism," through the waters of experience, and into the golden sunshine of enlightenment. Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus, which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the surface. Many of the countries we work in, mirror the path of the lotus in regards to growth, they have strong stems and the passion to move upward. The path to the sunlight and a life of enlightenment is a struggle worth great measure. Project Enlighten’s goal is to help these people and communities rise well above the line of water, to heights beyond what they see as attainable. One of the greatest rewards we have already experienced has been watching our Project Enlighten family grow and learn to dream larger than life itself.

Our organization has a great connection with Earth and humanity. Our great aspiration is to hold true to the values of which our foundation has been built upon and encourage others to do the same. We see the people of the world coming together to help one another, no matter what differences we may all have.

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