I recently sent out my quarterly promo piece, this one highlighting my travel photography. The images were taken in Vietnam, during a recent trip, and I hoped to transport the viewer, even if only visually, 8,000 miles away.

I learned many things during my trip and met wonderful people that moved me in ways I hadn’t expected. I also saw things that I hadn’t seen before.

For example, in temples and shrines, both Buddhist and Hindu, it is common to see obituary cards, which look like bookmarks. After death, for 45 days, the family honors the passing of their loved ones by displaying the cards and often saying prayers. The card gives the relevant statistics of one’s life, i.e. name, birth and death. Sometimes they contain a photo of the individual, and in others they contain meaningful symbols like the Buddhist graphic featured below right (facing ancient engravings in the wall of a nearby building).

Caren Alpert Photography: Vietnam

This week is the anniversary of the horrors of the Holocaust, so it seemed timely to remind and clarify that this symbol means different things to different cultures. The graphic on the Vietnamese obituary card is actually over 2,000 years old, and can be found throughout history, literature, art, and architecture references--and even on Buddha’s chest. It loosely means “may you prosper and have good fortune.” A warm wish, as you’d imagine, that you would pass along to loved ones who recently died.

In the last century, the graphic has been modified and appropriated into a corrupt icon representing the Nazi party, and one of the most ghastly times in history. Unfortunately, it’s not the only symbol to fall prey to this type of adaptation.

If you aren’t already aware, please take the time to learn how other groups interpret or repurpose similar iconic or religious graphics. And, I encourage you to take a look at the travel gallery on my website at http://carenalpert.com/gallery.php?gallery=travel. Here are some to showcase the beauty and culture of the Asian country.

Caren Alpert Photography