Thrice: Image of the Invisible Meaning
Image of the Invisible Lyrics
We are the image of the invisible
Free will is ours and we can't let go
We are the image of the invisible
We can't allow this, the quiet cull
We are the image of the invisible
So we sing out this, our...
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1TOP RATED
#1 top rated interpretation:I believe that both of the aforementioned interpretations are somewhat accurrate. I would say that the song is more about spirituality than "Christianity" per se. Dustin Kensrue is extremely well read in philosophy, religion, etc, etc, so a lot of his songs have several layers of interpretation. I think when he says, "remove the cancer, take back our souls" he's probably referencing the corruption of the government as well as a corruption of spirit in contemporary western culture. The image of the invisible represents those who are still strong in spirit, as well as those who fight for change in this country. The voices of those who thirst for a better world have been silenced by the corruption of aristocrats, and he's saying that we can no longer accept this fate. We must rise above the corruption of this world and take back our souls.
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2TOP RATED
#2 top rated interpretation:Um... bit_up_nails just because someone doesn't agree with what you're personal opinion is dosn't make them...how did you put it? a fuckin' loser! or dumbass! or STUPID!!, it makes you stupid for calling yourself christian which in point of fact means "Christlike" and totally bashing someone for their oppinoin...not in love, in very blunt hate. And quite bluntly on my part it makes christians like you make so many people hate christianity for good reason. You represent Christ to people, and putting people down is not "Christlike" and does not prove anything. If you disagree with someone you can atleast be inteligent about it. It says in the bible to "Love your brother as yourself." So I guess you just insulted yourself and made you look like a fool, but what makes my heart break is you made God look like a jerk. So in saying that this is my opinion on the song, I may be wrong or right, but that is what makes it an "opinion"
Ok There seem to be a lot of scriptural referances here. But, I do think it is also somewhat political...if you go to http://www6.islandrecords.com/thrice/index.php# there is a link to this site called "the invisible children" which is an organization and a movie trying to raise awareness to the kids in Uganda because of the war. The "invisible" kids that are suffering behind the scenes. Is it conected to "the image of the invisible"? Maybe...I can relate better to the christian side of things though because I am one and I tend to float more that way...
the on the scriptural side of things:
--> In Colossians 1:15 it says that: "15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."(NIV) we are in the image of the invisible God.
-->Then the line that says "So we sing out this, our canticle" I looked it up in the dictionary and it means: "A song or chant, especially a nonmetrical hymn with words taken from a biblical text other than from the Book of Psalms."
--> The Chorus is very inspireing to me and very biblical, but it could also be interpreted to any person with a mission. "We all were lost and we are found" At first I thought it meant the way we where lost and then found by God but that is not what it says, it says "we are lost and we are found" not "we are lost then we were found" or something like that. It more implys being lost and found at the same time, kind of jekyl and hydeish which I can relate to, we may feel like we are lost sometimes, but we are always found by God. That is what it meant to me, but I think it might be a little off.
"We are the named and we are known" any rebel movement be it radical christians riseing up with God's heart for the nations or any other are named and known, that is what makes them radical and rebel's. "We know that we'll never walk alone" because God is in us and all around us, he never abandons us, he has always been there even when we where sinners.
--> for me when it says we are more than "static and dial tone" or "carbon and chemicals" it seems because we stand for something greater than this world because we are not of this world. Romans 12:2
--> "We're emblematic of the unknown" we represent the unknown spiritual world
To me it was battle cry to be radicle and "take back your souls" to defend the defenseless and save the inocent, we can't sit by any longer, we have to fight for what we beleive in...that is just my take -
This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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They actually state in an interview that it's in reference to the "invisible children" of central Africa, taken from their homes and forced to fight in wars.
Not religious in anyway guys. -
*** Forewarning, this is just my interpretation. I could be wrong but I feel compelled to comment on this song***
"We are the image of the invisible"
I believe this line refers to how Christians are supposed to live. As Christians we are to be the image of the invisible God that we worship. With that said, no one knows what God looks like so I believe that we are supposed to live lives that reflect Christ's love. It is impossible to live like Christ because He was perfect in every way and we as imperfect humans cannot obtain perfection. BUT we should be striving for perfection, so that we may show God's love to the world. That is what I believe this line means.
"We all were lost and we are found
No one can stop us or slow us down
We are the named and we are known
We know that we'll never walk alone"
The chorus I believe refers to life before accepting Christ and then compares it to life with Christ in our hearts. The second part of the chorus I believe is talking about how after we accept Christ into our lives, that we will never be alone because Christ is omnipresent and will be with us at all times and places.
Now I know people are going to disagree with me and probably argue against this, and that is fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but this is one of my favorite songs and I love how Dustin is bold enough to share his faith though his music. -
I think that this is a rebelion song agains operession and Orwellian "Big Brother" like slavery.
"We are the image of the invisible" - God create as as an image of himself "invisible".
"We're more than carbon and chemicals" - we have souls.
"Free will is ours and we can't let go" - we can't give up free will we need to fight
"Raise up the banner" - protest against slavery
"Remove the cancer, take back your souls" - fight against oppression. -
The great thing about thrice's songs is that they write songs with multiple meanings. This way, both christians and non christians can relate.
I see it as three things:
1) the invisible children cooperation :) <3 a song for those children.
2) the whole bible deal y'all have posted here. I am a christian so I like this interpretation the most.
And 3) horrible government. Thrice has always had songs about how awful our government is.
So wherever you're from, whatever you believe in, this song can be interpreted by you only and not anyone else.
Thrice made this for you to translate.
Thrice for the win! :d -
I think it means a little of everything. Everything in the past and present. You say it has nothing to do with religion, well it zoomed in a clear shot of the guys bracelet with a cross on it. It means we should stand up for what we believe in. I don't care what you haters think, but it's based political and religious. People need to listen and be aware.
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Thrice is a huge supporter of invisible children, and this song is their song to all of the children abducted by rebel forces in Africa. Cold cash and cold hearts is a continuation of this song in some respects. As for being a Christian band, they are not. They are a band with members of different faiths. Dustin Kensrue is a man of the Christian faith though, that's why so many reference to biblical lyrics and issues arise. This is known because he has had several interviews with a mainstream Christian hardcore magazine.
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I do think the video can be taken as allegorical. nd I believe there are many interpretations that can be taken by the lyrics of this song and the video also. I think the whole stealing of children is metaphorical about the loss of innocence modern thought has driven us towards. The song is about taking back your soul in a world that no longer lets one dream, where everyone thinks they have everything figured out. I believe it is kind of a rallying cry against this indifference toward this happening. I think the splinter cells have more to do with more than government. I think they are these forces that could drive us down into listlessness and despair. I think the song is rallying cry that say "hey we have free will, things don't have to be this way, don't let them change you, change yourself" just my thoughts.
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"We all were lost and we are found
No one can stop us or slow us down
We are the named and we are known
We know that we'll never walk alone "
^this song is not about anything but God.
We are named & God names us (invisible children)
We know that we'll never walk alone: Because we are "invisible children" aka "God's Children" we will never walk the earth without him by our side.
Image of the Invisible just means image of God. Because God is basically Invisible until we're in heaven so were his children & we are made in his image thus becoming images of the invisible. -
If you were to look at the bands myspace you would see that Invisible Children is their number one friend. Invisible children is an organization to help children in Africa who have been forgotten by the rest of the world. More than carbon and chemicals means that they are people too so do not forget them. just look at their myspace page.
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I just thought I would like to give my thoughts,,,, I have actually listened to this song over 100 times strictly to understand the lyrics.... Although it may not be what the writer was aiming for.... I feel that this song has to do with both government and religion. If you think about it... for centuries Government and Religion have been linked.... Kings were given authority by their respective gods...... Even today... The US President is sworn in with his hand on a Bible..... And I do think that it has to do with BOTH an upheaval of the government, AND To convince christians to stand up for what is right..... for instance Nowadays it is illegal to lead a Prayer in school,,, and my little brother was actually suspended for wearing a large cross around his neck,,, because it "forces" religion on others,,,,, but later that week I saw a girl who goes to his school walk in the building with a shirt that she had made that had a penticle on it.... She was never stopped.... So it seems anymore that the christians are actually being harassed by our PUBLIC schools,,,,, and the Minorities are hiding behind our First Amendment rights,,,, this song is about getting up and fighting our government for the right to PUBLICLY worship our lord and savior Jesus Christ!!
I may be wrong,,,, like I said,,,, I am NOT the writer of the lyrics.... but that is how I feel -
If you look up an interview that Dustin has with a Punk group, he says that the band joined the Invisible Children movement after the record was made, because they supported the idea and it was coincidentally related to Vheissu's themes. So, Image of the Invisible is not about Northern Uganda's "Invisible Children." Also, a response regarding Greg Bennett's response, Like Moths to Flame is about Peter's betrayal of Jesus, not Judas. Jesus only told Peter that he would betray him three times. Some people seem to be narrowing the meaning because they watched the music video, but I believe it is about numerous themes (Free Will, The Value of Human Life, Our relationship in contrast to Jesus Christ, Oppression, Standing up for what you believe in).
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Like lots of thrice songs this has biblical reference all over it. We are the image of god and many people don't really know this but Dustin Kensrue ( lead vocals and guitarist for thrice) is a huge Christian and lots of songs that he wrote have massive amounts of biblical references.
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As much as this song has the facts of God's teaching hidden throughout it, it also has the other views of the government, and on top of those two, it also has the message of being who you are, don't look to anyone to help you decide who you are, don't look at people to see what they look like physically, but look into their souls, look into their hearts.
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Yes, it has a very Christian meaning, along with most of the rest of the album. However, it is supposed to be intertwined with politics as well (i.e. government=Satan). The entire Vheissu album is based on the novel V by Thomas Pynchon (read it, it's worth it!). Pynchon's V is one of the books that the graphic novel V for Vendetta is based on (as well as 1984 and various other books). The graphic novel was turned into a popular movie by the same name. So to say that it has no governmental meaning is just asinine.
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