Arrow

An arrow is a beautiful tool.

The first thing that probably comes to mind when an arrow is mentioned is what we see on the keyboard. The four arrow keys that point up, down, left, and right. Most people would stereo to think that arrows only have such directions because we see it so often it is embedded deep within our mind.

What an arrow really means is to point out a direction. The direction can be anywhere in our imagination. We sometimes do not even need to use an arrow to point. We can actually use language to communicate the direction we mean. Words can almost all the time replace an arrow. But what makes an arrow shine is the ability of showing directions even when the person does not understand the language. It is understood universally.

In this new era, arrows are often used to highlight an important point, to draw our attention to the utmost importance of a slogan or an advertisement. How often do we see arrows used as such “>>>” in an article? Most often, this is meant to highlight the link that the advertiser would like us to click on.

Arrows exist in fantasies too. A cupid shoots an arrow through two people and binds them together forever. This is called love, everlasting love.

What is the picture of the arrow do you have in mind now?

I always imagine arrows to be green and noble, probably influenced by the well-known Robin Hood stories from young. He is a character by choice. Whether we make him a hero or a thief is entirely our choice.

Robin Hood is the hero of the poor. He steals from the rich to feed the poor. This story teaches us that there are always two stories behind one face. Most often we jump into conclusions that a person is bad because they are mean to us. If we draw back and put ourselves in the person’s shoes, we may find that it is his way of teaching us how life works. Enemies are the best teachers one can find.

In the recent years, there is a hit series on television. The Arrow. The character in this series is somehow also portrayed in green, the modern day Robin Hood. He was a rich brat who experienced near death and came back a different person. Throughout the series, we can almost understand how he became who he is today. This story teaches us that life moves on. Whatever we face in the past shapes us to become who we are in the future. If we decide to take every challenge as a lesson, we will grow stronger.

Arrows can be used directly or indirectly. Sometimes the arrow is so large it covers half of the picture board. We may ask why the arrow is covering half of the scenic picture we see. It may not mean anything to the regular person. However, it is most often well thought by the designer who put the arrow there. A designer is successful when people understand his meaning even though they do not understand why it is designed as such.

Some people may see arrow as blood. It is inevitable that bows and arrows have been used as weapons in the ancient wars, before the existence of explosives. Arrows are used to avoid close encounter with enemies. As much as the bloodshed, the aftermath of each war creates a new way of life. Humans can choose to adapt the changes in life. Change that is brought to us makes us more creative as to how we live our renewed life.

Till this date, arrows are still widely used physically in competitions. Archery is a sport that is renowned worldwide. It is also an art that promotes tranquility. An archer has to be still, concentrating on the wind direction and the distance of the target. It is very much like playing any other sports, to hit the bullseye.  

The most graceful archer I would love to mention is the made up character in the Lord of the Rings. He is an elf, so fair and graceful, and magical because he doesn’t seem to run out of arrows to shoot. Legolas, the character that imprinted into my mind for almost two decades now.

 

Life continuously shoots arrows at you; to survive, be flexible and be on the move because rigid and fixed targets are the easiest targets!    

Mehmet Murat Ildan, Turkish playwright and writer, 1965-present