The Duncer: Dancing Dunce
The Duncer or the
Dancing Dunce is the logo of Xtra Pages. It has the overall profile of a human
being, symbolizing Xtra Pages’ prime concern, that is, the development of the
human person.
The “X” signifies the
word “extra” meaning “additional” or “supplemental” as Xtra Pages tries to
provide the learners with supplemental learning materials. The upper part of
the “X” is a “V”, for victory. A person raising his arms in a V-shape position
is expressing triumph over difficulty. Arms raised in a V-shape position is
said to be a universal symbol of power. Xtra Pages tries to empower the
learners by being the curators of their own learning.
Source: Cuddy, Amy. (2012). Your body language may shape who you are.
The lower part of the
“X” symbolizes moving feet—either dancing for, of course, joy or walking the
extra mile. The blue color of the “X” signifies loftiness, as in the color of
the sky.
The red bow tie
symbolizes the joy of success.
The Duncer is wearing a
wizard’s hat (albeit without the brim), symbolizing the Duncer’s true nature,
that is, a wise human—a very clever and extremely skillful person; somebody who
excels. The green head symbolizes freshness.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. (2014). Encyclopaedia
Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.
Xtra Pages advocates
positivity, thus, the hat is preferred to be that of a wizard’s—not that of a
dunce’s—because the wizard’s hat symbolizes scholarship while the dunce cap (or
hat) symbolizes lack of intelligence.
Source: Achor, Shawn. (2012, May). The happy secret to better work.
Retrieved November 26, 2018.
The pejorative term
“dunce”—used to insult dull-witted persons—has its etymology from Blessed John Duns Scotus, a Scottish Franciscan
scholar—philosopher and theologian—who was considered as one of the three great
thinkers during the High Middle Ages. (The other two were St. Thomas Aquinas
and William of Ockham.) For his subtle—rigorous, keen, sharp and penetrating
yet delicate—manner of thought, Duns was bestowed the papal scholastic accolade
Doctor Subtilis, Latin for Subtle Doctor (or Subtle Teacher). In 1993 Duns was beatified by Pope John Paul II,
earning for the Subtle Doctor yet another title, Blessed.
Blessed John Duns Scotus
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. (2014). Encyclopaedia Britannica Ultimate
Reference Suite.
As such, Xtra Pages feels
blessed to attempt to be a subtle—or slight or even imperceptible—teacher to
potential wizards out there who, for the time being, are disguising themselves
as dunces.
References:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. (2014). Encyclopaedia
Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.
Meriam-Webster, Inc. (2000). Meriam-Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary. (Version 2.5). Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Microsoft Corporation. (2007). Encarta Dictionaries.
Richmond, WA, USA.
Microsoft Corporation. (2007). John Duns Scotus.
Microsoft® Student 2008 [DVD]. Redmond, WA, USA.
