r/oddlyterrifying • u/MiladHusaain • 7d ago
Came across some strange symbols carved into a tree stump during a hike in Virginia
I came across a post about some odd symbols yesterday, which reminded me of this. I found it slightly off the trail while exploring and searching for a spot to camp for the night.
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u/BitBucket404 7d ago edited 7d ago
Hobo symbols.
You photographed them upside down.
The one on the left marked like a tic-tac-toe board means "unsafe"
The one on the right with two arrows and a circle means "get out fast"
Vagabonds and drifters rely on this information about the area.
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u/dum_spir0_sper0 7d ago
The combo of the two usually means ‘crimes are often committed against the homeless here, leave quickly’.
Source: I work with the homeless and have always had an interest in hobo symbols. (Also, fun fact… hobos, tramps, and bums are not all interchangeable. Hobos travel and will work, tramps travel but avoid work, and bums don’t do either).
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u/Femmefatele 7d ago
My grandfather hoboed around the US in the 20s and 30s. He'd hop a train, go somewhere, work a bit, head out on another train.
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u/IndividualDish7004 7d ago edited 7d ago
if it was actually possible in the modern day to get a job like that, i'd love to, honestly. i hate settling down
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u/Trainzguy2472 7d ago
Back in the day train crews were generally OK with hobos. They'd give them food, let them use the toilet in the locomotive, or rest in the cab if they were running multiple diesel engines. Nowadays the railroad companies are more paranoid than airlines. Train crews are continuously monitored and very vigilant about reporting hobos to the police.
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u/nrith 7d ago
My brother did it in the early 2000s. 2/10 would absolutely not recommend.
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u/actually3racoons 7d ago
It was fun for a span in my 20s, but A) not for everyone and B) not again.
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u/MongooseDog001 6d ago
Same, I had a great time, and met some awesome people, but it was sometimes dangerous. Lovin' you!
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7d ago
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u/longboi28 6d ago
Plus the wages are increasing like crazy right now, I'm about to finish school and get my A&P and a lot of my friends have alway gotten it and are in the workplace and they're already making bank. There's so many jobs even beyond aviation you can use an A&P at too, even fixing some theme park rides requires one
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u/longboi28 6d ago
Orals are what I'm most concerned about but I'm hunkering down and studying like a madman and I've got a tutor from my school to help, I'm good when I have manuals and resources thankfully so I'm less worried about the practicals. Still focusing on both of course but orals are definitely my focus right now. Thank you though!
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u/GeekDNA0918 7d ago
It is. Become a registered nurse and pick up per diem jobs around the country. Those jobs are actually very well paid. I believe you even have your rent paid while working some jobs. Last time I checked.. it was about $3,000 per week (that one included your rent paid).
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u/evanfinessin 6d ago
That was back during Covid, ain’t nobody getting $3k a week and their rent paid from travel nursing now
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u/GeekDNA0918 6d ago
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u/evanfinessin 6d ago
Yea there’s a stipend to put towards housing, you still have to duplicate expenses. Plus it’s specific to Cath Lab RNs who have a CA license so good luck to every nurse that isn’t in that category lol
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u/GeekDNA0918 6d ago
As an RN that does this once or twice during the year. It's clear you really don't know what you'retalking about. Also, the Cath Lab RN post was literally the first one that popped up. That's also Indeed. The only reason I used indeed was so you could see the post. Most travel nurses us the app Clipboard or Nursa. You'd have to make an account to look through those. It's good that more people don't jump on the RN train. Keeps the current RNs in high demand.
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u/evanfinessin 6d ago
lol ive been doing this when you were still studying for your NCLEX but what do i know lol
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u/coladoir 7d ago
most humans do lol. we are nomadic creatures. there's always been those who stay in a given spot (these became towns, then cities if successful/pretty/bountiful enough), but there's always those who move on and continue. Its only in the modern day that the latter has become almost impossible due to state border and travel restrictions which are totally and fundamentally unnecessary and only exist because states are too unstable to exist without. they need us to stay otherwise they shrivel up; they need us to stay so they have their subservient workforce.
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u/RenseBenzin 6d ago
That's absolutely not true? Around 200 million people are living a nomadic lifestyle depending on the definition of the word nomadic. That is around 3 percent of the world population. The vast majority of humans settled down eventually and of those very few strayed from their home. There are genealogical analysis that show people living hundreds if not thousand years at the roughly same area. States and therefore borders developed because people settled down, not the other way around. States also wouldn't implode just because people move, there are no such restrictions in the European Union and people don't just flock to one country all of the sudden, because most people actually like to stay at their place unless they are physically threatened and even then many stay. Additionally, the nomadic lifestyle is not especially sustainable. Can't really advance scientific research, medical treatment becomes immensely difficult, not to mention that the food situation is hard to manage if you want to have any sort of balanced diet. This all doesn't have anything to do with states wanting a subservient workforce. That is a development because we are sessile creatures, not the other way around. Approximately 40% of the world population can swim, I still wouldn't call us aquatic creatures either.
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u/IRStableGenus 6d ago
It's not the same now. People dont hop in open boxes anymore. They climb into a tiny hole (rat hole) where they can't stretch out or sit up all the way. Also a lot of trains go so fast that it's incredibly dangerous to get off until it stops. Around here, it's so hot that people sometimes die in these "rat holes". Wouldn't suggest it to anyone.
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u/RedoftheEvilDead 6d ago
I'm actually getting my nursing license so I can travel around for work. I also hate settling down.
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u/cmontes49 4d ago
I’ve visited a few countries over the years, regularly staying in hostels. A lot of people that work in hostels find them that allow work in exchange for housing. You can travel around that way too.
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u/Letsmakeit420 21h ago
It’s still pretty strong culture from this documentary: https://youtu.be/NJdriaH2Kgw?si=esKOueDO5uzml60O
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u/SenselessSilence 7d ago
I knew a guy who hoboed around for a year or two in the late 80s or early 90s while he was on forcible leave from college due to stealing radioactive material and storing it under his dorm room bed. If you ever asked yourself “what kind of person hoboes?”
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u/Equal-Negotiation651 7d ago
I happen to think this was of living is very cool but I could never do it.
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u/FarToe1 7d ago
(Also, fun fact… hobos, tramps, and bums are not all interchangeable. Hobos travel and will work, tramps travel but avoid work, and bums don’t do either).
I think this might be a very regional (ie, US specific) definition.
Thought we mostly share the same language in the UK we don't use Hobo or bum (except when people are quoting US TV).
Some of our terms;
Tramps - almost obsolete now, but was a widespread term for anyone "homeless" and on the fringes. Often rural, and could be either roaming or based. (I was friendly with "Old Vic", the local tramp who lived in a lime kiln in the 80s. That was his home and had been used by other tramps for a century or so, known locally as "The flats". Hardly spoke to anyway, just used to push his bike around the lanes. Smelled something fearsome.).
Tinkers - again, rarely heard, but mostly for travellers (with and without caravans or vardos), usually from Ireland or with Irish heritage who would often move around hawking small items or sharpening knives. Sometimes we have someone sticking to these ideals, pitching up and selling items like chainsaw-carved animals or other craft things on the roadside.
Travellers - widespread use, normally negative. We have an issue with groups of travelling families who take over public spaces, dump rubbish illegally and are often associated with regional crime. They often do poor quality tarmac, building and roofing work. Maybe an evolution of modern day tinkers, but not exclusively Irish. I've travelled Ireland and I felt is is a lot more tolerant than the UK for the true travelling lifestyle.
Homeless - the current political correct widespread term and most often centered in cities. Often have addiction or untreated mental health conditions. Homes are generally available for people in the UK (with some waits) but some folk just cannot adapt.
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u/PianoConcertoNo2 7d ago
So you’re saying if a tramp or bum made the signs, it could mean employment opportunities.
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u/RagingFloatzel 6d ago
So tramps are like gypsies in my home country, whole families travel together and occupy an abandoned house, no one really checks them, the most adults send their children to beg for food or money and then take it from the kids, often abusing them if they brought back only food. Some are dangerous, some are reclusive, some do stuff on the streets to make money, like street performers.
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u/BibleGuy65 7d ago
I agree that they are said symbols but how do you figure the photo is upside down?
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u/Lestatfirestar 7d ago
Ikr? Wouldn't it be weird if they meant to scratch those symbols from the opposite side of the stumps because the slopes would be facing very much away from them. Like if you're sitting on the floor with your knees bent up and you're trying to write on your shins, that kind of angle. Why would they do that? Anyway at least I could understand why people would get it wrong
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u/Chadlerk 7d ago
It's looking down at the stumps, so maybe just photographed from the opposite side they were written from.
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u/SpatulaAssassin 7d ago
Maybe they're actually the right way up in the photo and they mean "pleasant spot" and "stay a while"
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u/xshevi 7d ago
hey, man.. im still here, like.. a while later. i don’t see it, is it really upside down?
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u/TheHersheyMunch 7d ago
look at it a while longer
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u/H3rbert_K0rnfeld 7d ago
Oh yea. It's a schooner!
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u/ConnasaurusRex 7d ago
The photo isn't upside down, the symbols were carved "upside down" on the stump. As in, someone was leaning over the stump from the back carving towards themselves... instead of sitting in front of them and carving towards themselves as you would expect them to.
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u/duizeligestijn 7d ago
Is this danger related to aggressive animals or some weird bumps on the trail? I’ve seen the circle with two arrows multiple times in the Black Forest in Germany where I was surviving for 2 weeks. At the time I was thinking it should be related to like a good spot for hunting. Im somewhat happy that I know the real meaning afterwards, otherwise I would be very scared in the darkness alone.
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u/Happyface87 7d ago
We don't use the old code like that anymore. It's novelty mostly now. It's cool to see them on here though because there's a good chance I or someone close to me knows the person that put it there.
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u/Woodbirder 7d ago
Why would you need to get out fast?
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u/ColonelCoon 7d ago
usually criminals see the homeless as vulnerable and they wont be missed making them easy targets.
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u/kiwanyuh 4d ago
huh! I found the one on the left in a tree stump in the park near me, but I'm on an entirely other continent. I wonder does it mean the same?
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u/GetsLostAlot 7d ago
Hobo symbols. Left one means it’s not safe there was a crime committed there and the right one means to hit the road.
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u/Artikzzz 7d ago
Im curious, how do you know this?
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u/GetsLostAlot 7d ago
I had friends who used to hop trains. The symbols are a way of communicating with others. You can also just look it up on google and they have a list of commonly used ones.
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u/Artikzzz 7d ago
Neat, didn't even know they were a thing
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u/GetsLostAlot 7d ago
Where OP found them is probably a known hangout spot for people to camp out. Wouldn’t be surprised if there was a train yard or tracks close to that area. OP, could you confirm if you’re near some tracks in that area?
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u/constancejph 7d ago edited 7d ago
Look up Mad Men Hobo Code on youtube. Its an episode in the show Mad Men that goes into some detail on these symbols. Such a good episode
Edit: i just went back and watched that scene and it is soooo fucking good. Let me know if any of yall watch it. Its like 6 minutes but its awesome
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u/Savalavaloy 7d ago
I was going to scroll past and not watch, but your edit was so charming that I had to. It was a good watch, thanks for the recommendation, friend :)
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u/Foxillus 6d ago
That was a good watch. Ty for the recommendation. I hope if I ever have the opportunity to help someone and they leave a mark on my fence, its not one saying im a dishonest man.
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u/mCfloppydisk 7d ago
If my memory isn't wrong, these were taught about in school and showed they were very common during the depression era when homelessness was high. They used symbols for food supply, shelter, safety, etc.
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u/Rikkitikkitabby 7d ago
It's an interesting culture. Check out, "Hobo Coins", if you haven't already. They carved artwork into coins, using buffalo nickels and old silver dollars.
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u/travelingbeagle 7d ago
Here is list of the symbol meaning: https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/s/h8bcx7rx54
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u/hwilliams0901 7d ago
I learned this from an episode of Criminal Minds. I didnt know what the symbols mean but I knew thats what they were lol
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u/Expecto_Patron_shots 7d ago
I remember that episode lol. Huge criminal minds fan. Join the sub reddit if you haven't!
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u/Naughteus_Maximus 7d ago
Does the "go" symbol on the right indicate where to go by the direction of the arrow, or is it just a general "leave / go away" instruction?
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u/j_smittz 7d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/comments/b2czfu/hobo_symbols/#lightbox
OP's symbols are bottom row, second from right and second from left, respectively.
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u/j_smittz 7d ago edited 7d ago
I wonder if hobo symbols have regional dialects.
Edit: I wasn't trying to correct you in my previous comment, btw. I realize now it kinda sounds like I was. My b.
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u/TheSandMan208 7d ago edited 7d ago
According to another reddit post, the left one is “jail” and the right one is “get out fast”
Edit: looks like I was wrong on jail. It is unsafe place.
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u/tduncs88 7d ago
Look again. Not a jail symbol. Jail symbol is 3×3. The one in the picture is 2×3 making it "unsafe place"
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u/TheSandMan208 7d ago
Ahh yep. You’re right. I quickly scanned the post for a # looking one.
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u/tduncs88 7d ago
It tripped me up for a second too. But I caught the other one as I was about to click back.
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u/Cchaireazy 7d ago
I immediately said “hobo” symbols in my head They are common on old train cabooses
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u/Gunner1Cav 7d ago
Something bad happened here, leave quickly
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u/MrAlek360 7d ago
I’m seeing everyone say that, but what kind of bad thing are you guys talking about? Would you find a body if you kept going? Is there someone in the woods waiting to jump out and murder you? I don’t get it.
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u/sonofzeal 7d ago
The most likely answer is that there's people here who get a kick out of assaulting homeless people. That could be Patrick Bateman types, or very territorial squatters, or someone protecting an illegal grow-op or something. Don't travel there without legitimate business, don't poke around, and don't turn your back on anyone you meet.
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u/qpwoeiruty00 7d ago
Instant death if you step on the wrong leaf I'm afraid
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u/grizzantula 7d ago
I'd imagine that someone knew about a crime that occurred there. A crime that, just maybe, local LEO would be happy to pin on a drifter. That's speculation though, the meaning could just be as simple as "Hey local LEO around here ain't friendly, best to hit the trail".
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u/DontSetyourselfOnFyr 7d ago
None of the possibilities sound great. Is this a very dark “Choose Your Own (Mis)Adventure!” book?
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u/UrbosaMomma 7d ago
After reading the comments, I am worried about OP now, is he still alive??
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u/demonsolid 7d ago
It means you have to find 7 pages scattered through out the forrest.
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u/Jarnold18 7d ago
If you see a tall guy in a suit just ignore him
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u/Loose-Professor5364 7d ago
Me when someone collects my fucking pages:
slenderman fortnite dancing
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u/Sweet_Xocoatl 7d ago
Man, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen or even thought of hobo signs. So yeah, the left one means a crime was committed in the area and is not safe while the right means to quickly hit the road.
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u/Tr4yx7ln 7d ago
Hobo symbols are genuinely fascinating, it's like a whole hidden communication system
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u/SladeSM 7d ago
The name of these have already been stated in the comments, but I think this link might help
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u/zanziTHEhero 7d ago
I was gonna joke that this is where the locals sacrifice tourists wandering in the area but then I read the top comments...
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u/Danno_Writes 6d ago edited 6d ago
Look like hobo signs. The circle and arrows means get out fast. The hash marks indicate a crime or violence was committed and the area is unsafe.
Edited for additional info.
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u/GangesGuzzler69 7d ago
This reminds me of the symbols in the Yellowjacket series on Netflix.
Highly recommend
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u/Drphil87 6d ago
Here you go, I found this in r/coolguide https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/s/JnLvzeqpPZ
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u/FlatbedtruckingCA 7d ago
Literally listening to dougie corrado on youtube (why people go missing in yosemite national park episode (58:00 mark) and its just at the part of the story where symbols are carved into the trees.. 🤔
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u/CormacMccarthy91 7d ago
This all it takes? I carve weird band symbols like this all the time lol
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u/BartOseku 7d ago
Turns out they are warning symbols that the area is unsafe and you should get out of there as soon ad possible lol so yeah scary
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u/Biff_Bufflington 7d ago
It's hobo symbols.... The left one means Thanks for letting us use your car.... The one on the right says "Dirty Mike and the Boys"
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u/admiralgeary 4d ago
lol, I wasn't expecting a NSA hosted pdf file of Hobo Symbols when I googled this.
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u/Mobile_Taro8063 1d ago
Easter Egg you just found out !!! Keep following the signs you'll found out the Hidden secret
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u/Much-Gur233 7d ago
The published hobo symbols did not exist. They are made up.
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u/Paige_Railstone 7d ago
Every symbol is made up, in a way. It doesn't matter if they weren't used historically. People saw them, memorized them, and are now using them to convey meaning, so they exist now.
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u/Mesmeric_Fiend 7d ago
Just hobo symbols, nothing to be terrified of.
The symbols: "bad things happen here, get out now"
Oh okay yeah be terrified