# Trident with a outward curved tine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197 "2014-11-20T21:10:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/1 "2014-11-20T21:10:13Z")
What is the meaning of a trident symbol with an outward curved tine?(one of the outside tines?). Tried googling and google img searching, nothing pertinent came up. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/2 "2014-11-20T23:59:40Z")
Isn’t that the badge used on Maserati racing cars? [https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=maserati+logo&tbm=isch&tbs=simg:CAQSZRpjCxCo1NgEGgIIAAwLELCMpwgaPAo6CAISFNYJ2wmrHLgaliW7GqUcyxrcGeoKGiDi4jCMqt2tbd2f5\_1rhZ4El0LxEezcNdRMuWB3Z4Gr2cgwLEI6u\_1ggaCgoICAESBBzne4UM&sa=X&ei=iIBuVL2wCofbauPxgeAP&ved=0CB4Qwg4oAA&biw=1287&bih=894](https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=maserati+logo&tbm=isch&tbs=simg:CAQSZRpjCxCo1NgEGgIIAAwLELCMpwgaPAo6CAISFNYJ2wmrHLgaliW7GqUcyxrcGeoKGiDi4jCMqt2tbd2f5_1rhZ4El0LxEezcNdRMuWB3Z4Gr2cgwLEI6u_1ggaCgoICAESBBzne4UM&sa=X&ei=iIBuVL2wCofbauPxgeAP&ved=0CB4Qwg4oAA&biw=1287&bih=894) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/3 "2014-11-21T00:10:50Z")
It’s a [Lemon Fork.](http://www.vandoak.com/index/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Victorian-Lemon-Fork.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/4 "2014-11-21T01:01:05Z")
Do you mean only one of the tines curves outwards, and the other tine is straight or curves inwards? I did a Google image search, and in almost all the images the trident was symmetric. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/5 "2014-11-22T02:26:36Z")
I interpret this as meaning asymmetrical. Tridents can normally straight or curved (like Barbados’ flag), but always seem symmetrical. Is the trident in question a logo, or a weapon, or what? There were many hybrid weapons (wikipedia on [polearms](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_weapon) although I don’t see any that fit), perhaps it’s a trident, partisan, corseque, or ranseur combined with a cutting edge? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/6 "2014-11-22T14:40:15Z")
I think I know what the OP is describing, one tine is curled at the end. Not splayed like the lemon fork. Perhaps is to show it was used in battle? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/7 "2014-11-22T15:18:50Z")
This seems to be one of those cases where one picture is worth a thousand posts guessing at what the OP is talking about. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/8 "2014-11-22T15:50:16Z")
Can’t find a pic myself. But picture this - A standard trident. Not opulent or anything. Much like a pitchfork. But, one outside tine is curled around as a bit of a hook. Perhaps that would be useful to grapple something. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/9 "2014-11-22T15:51:22Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Can’t find a pic myself. > > But picture this - A standard trident. Not opulent or anything. Much like a pitchfork. > > But, one outside tine is curled around as a bit of a hook. Perhaps that would be useful to grapple something. Yeah, I can’t find a picture of one online, either, but that’s exactly what I assume the OP is talking about. It seems fairly clear to me. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/10 "2014-11-22T15:55:31Z")
Why do people come on forums, ask a question, and then never return to clear up ambiguity or to acknowledge help? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/11 "2014-11-22T15:59:40Z")
I think the symbol on the [right](http://occultview.com/2012/02/09/street-gang-symbols/chicago-city-sticker/) here is what the OP is describing. (In this case, it’s a Maniac Latin Disciples symbol, although they use the normal trident, too. I don’t know whether there’s meaning to one straight and one curved, or if it’s just slop.) ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/12 "2014-11-22T16:30:15Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I interpret this as meaning asymmetrical. Tridents can normally straight or curved (like Barbados’ flag), but always seem symmetrical. Is the trident in question a logo, or a weapon, or what? There were many hybrid weapons (wikipedia on [polearms](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_weapon) although I don’t see any that fit), perhaps it’s a trident, partisan, corseque, or ranseur combined with a cutting edge? [Here’s a type of military fork (fourche de guerre)](http://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourche_de_guerre#/image/Fichier:Fourche_de_guerre_11.jpg), with pronounced hooks. Rough versions of this might have been actual pitchfork heads with a tine bent over. Good for mobs of light infantry looking to disarm or dismount knights, or pull defenders off the ramparts. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/13 "2014-11-23T06:44:41Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Why do people come on forums, ask a question, and then never return to clear up ambiguity or to acknowledge help? Some have four year olds, get stomach flus or other virii that have them unable to keep down gatorade, lives, jobs, etc etc. Sometimes all at once! Anyone nothing posted so far matches what I see, it is a trident with one outer tine curved to the outside AND upside down which I forgot to add! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/14 "2014-11-23T08:35:28Z")
Could you be looking at something based on the astrological symbol for Scorpio? [https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=scorpio+symbol&client=firefox-a&hs=po9&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=-ptxVMOoA4vwaICogcAC&ved=0CAgQ\_AUoAQ&biw=1252&bih=617](https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=scorpio+symbol&client=firefox-a&hs=po9&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=-ptxVMOoA4vwaICogcAC&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1252&bih=617) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/15 "2014-11-23T13:08:08Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Some have four year olds, get stomach flus or other virii that have them unable to keep down gatorade, lives, jobs, etc etc. Sometimes all at once! > > Anyone nothing posted so far matches what I see, it is a trident with one outer tine curved to the outside AND upside down which I forgot to add! In what context have you seen this symbol? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/16 "2014-11-23T13:26:31Z")
I know exactly what the OP is asking about, and have wondered about the significance as well. It is a trident with just one of the tines, either the left or right one, curved outward, while the other two are straight. I thought it may have had some kind of occult significance, but I haven’t yet found an example via Google. Still looking. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/17 "2014-11-23T13:39:02Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > I know exactly what the OP is asking about, and have wondered about the significance as well. > > It is a trident with just one of the tines, either the left or right one, curved outward, while the other two are straight. I thought it may have had some kind of occult significance, but I haven’t yet found an example via Google. Still looking. So where have you seen this symbol? And is the trident inverted as well in your case? How tall is the trident? That is, is it a full-length trident with a big staff in the middle, or more like a handle (kind of like a sais)? Are the tines themselves of equal length, or is the middle one much longer? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/18 "2014-11-23T15:18:37Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > So where have you seen this symbol? And is the trident inverted as well in your case? How tall is the trident? That is, is it a full-length trident with a big staff in the middle, or more like a handle (kind of like a sais)? Are the tines themselves of equal length, or is the middle one much longer? Good questions all. - I must have seen this version of the trident somewhere online. - Yes, it is a full-length trident, meaning a staff of approximately 4 times the length of the fork. - Yes, I believe the tines are of equal length, although it is possible that the curved one is slightly longer than the other two. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/19 "2014-11-23T15:33:28Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Good questions all. > > - I must have seen this version of the trident somewhere online. > - Yes, it is a full-length trident, meaning a staff of approximately 4 times the length of the fork. > - Yes, I believe the tines are of equal length, although it is possible that the curved one is slightly longer than the other two. To be clear, the tine that is curved is not simply splayed, but pronouncedly curved. Also, such a trident would not make a very effective weapon as the curved tine would impede its ability to puncture, hence my supposition that it is a symbol of some sort rather than having any practical use. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197/20 "2014-11-23T17:33:38Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Also, such a trident would not make a very effective weapon as the curved tine would impede its ability to puncture, hence my supposition that it is a symbol of some sort rather than having any practical use. Not sure about that. A trident with a splayed tine would be functionally quite similar to some forms of pike. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trident-with-a-outward-curved-tine/705197.md?page=2)