# Help me identify this symbol. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2009, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642 "2009-01-10T05:20:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wunderkammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ed8c4c/32.png) [@wunderkammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wunderkammer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/1 "2009-01-10T05:20:47Z")
[Link.](http://www.worldwidefred.com/buttontattoos.htm) It’s the yellow, red and black one that looks like a triskelion made of penises. (Well, abstracted phallic-looking things. Probably SFW, unless you point it out.) What gets to me is that all of the buttons are supposed to be easily-recognizable cliches, and this one is is frustratingly unfamiliar to me. [Symbols.com](http://Symbols.com) wasn’t much help, so I ask you all for help. I just need to know what kind of organization or movement needs a wheel of penises for a logo, or my mind will never be at ease. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/2 "2009-01-10T05:24:32Z")
For some reason that reminds me of a spinning disc thingy from one of those kids’ toy guns. Is it perhaps from a toy or video game? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/3 "2009-01-10T05:26:44Z")
It’s an adaptor for use in 45 rpm records so that they can be played using the spindle of a turntable normally used for playing 33-1/3 rpm records. EDIT: [Link](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45_rpm_adapter). . ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/4 "2009-01-10T05:29:42Z")
It is that. Or [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Snakes_and_One_Charm) ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/5 "2009-01-10T05:30:07Z")
:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/6 "2009-01-10T05:31:08Z")
We’re old, **Johnny**. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/7 "2009-01-10T05:32:24Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > We’re old, **Johnny**. ☹ [Scotty] Aye. [/Scotty] ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/8 "2009-01-10T05:34:14Z")
No, **Northern Piper** , they are young. And that’s their fault. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/9 "2009-01-10T05:36:17Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > We’re old, **Johnny**. ☹ Naw. I knew what it was and I’m still in college. On the other hand, I do own records (no record player though - I use my mom’s.) ---
**Author:** ![wunderkammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ed8c4c/32.png) [@wunderkammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wunderkammer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/10 "2009-01-10T05:37:01Z")
We are young. And in the gutter.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/11 "2009-01-10T05:37:20Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > For some reason that reminds me of a spinning disc thingy from one of those kids’ toy guns. Is it perhaps from a toy or video game? [Vintage _Star Trek_ Tracer gun](http://www.samstoybox.com/toys/TracerGun.html). I used to have one when I was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/12 "2009-01-10T05:40:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > It’s an adaptor for use in 45 rpm records so that they can be played using the spindle of a turntable normally used for playing 33-1/3 rpm records. Indeed. But now I’m never going to be able to look at it again without thinking of a penis triskele. ---
**Author:** ![wunderkammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ed8c4c/32.png) [@wunderkammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wunderkammer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/13 "2009-01-10T06:05:34Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Indeed. But now I’m never going to be able to look at it again without thinking of a penis triskele. You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/14 "2009-01-10T10:21:09Z")
> [@Saltire](#): > > No, **Northern Piper** , they are young. And that’s their fault. By golly, you’re right! Hey, **wunderkammer**! Get off my lawn and take your triskelion made of penises with you! Darn kids. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/15 "2009-01-10T13:11:37Z")
> [@Saltire](#): > > No, **Northern Piper** , they are young. And that’s their fault. It’s not time to make a change, Just relax, take it easy. You’re still young, that’s your fault, There’s so much you have to know. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/16 "2009-01-10T19:24:29Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Vintage _Star Trek_ Tracer gun](http://www.samstoybox.com/toys/TracerGun.html). I used to have one when I was a kid. Thank you! That’s what my brain was trying to cough up. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/17 "2009-01-10T19:45:22Z")
My first impression, too, was “45 RPM vinyl record insert”. But it [could](http://www.dragonweave.com/images/charms/sunwheel.jpg) [also](http://www.artrocca.co.uk/mediac/400_0/media/DIR_19701/P1011310.JPG) [be a](http://tinytrinkets.com.au/wsale/images/R221.jpg) [Celtic Sun symbol](http://www.tribal-celtic-tattoo.com/images/labels/swirl2.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![stanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@stanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stanger)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/18 "2009-01-10T19:56:52Z")
On the last “Survivor” TV series, one of the girls had a necklace with this hanging from it. I mentioned it to my buddy and he commented that it looked familiar, but didn’t know what it was. My buddy who was a radio disc jockey back in the early 1970’s. They didn’t use that kind of stuff where he worked, but they were around and he certainly had used them at home on his 45’s from the sixties. I finally told him what it was and his reaction was “Oh. Yea. I remember now. You know, most of the people watching this show probably have no idea what it is.” I just nodded wisely and went back to watching the show. After a couple of seconds, he said, “We’re old.” I just replied. “Well, we’re getting there.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/19 "2009-01-10T20:15:46Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > But it [could](http://www.dragonweave.com/images/charms/sunwheel.jpg) [also](http://www.artrocca.co.uk/mediac/400_0/media/DIR_19701/P1011310.JPG) [be a](http://tinytrinkets.com.au/wsale/images/R221.jpg) [Celtic Sun symbol](http://www.tribal-celtic-tattoo.com/images/labels/swirl2.jpg). Could be. But isn’t. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![4everkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/76d3ee/32.png) [@4everkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4everkid)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-symbol/480642/20 "2009-01-10T20:29:31Z")
Ah yes… the old Wheel-O-Penises logo. That’s the official logo used by the Swingers of the 60’s and later by the Hippies of the late 60’s, early 70’s. The swingers wore this medallion on a groovy chain to show that they were looking for an orgy. The hippies, always ready for a love-in, emblazoned this design on their tie-dyed shirts or their black light posters. You can see a close-up of the Wheel-O-Penises logo and variety of vintage musical phallic devices [here.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45_rpm_adapter)