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Baron von Poopy · Greenhorn Joined: 02 Sep 2012 Posts: 6

Did a very quick search and may have missed discussion on this - but is there a significance to color changes in the symbol? In the wild, it has been made in white and red. Could be as simple as just new can o spray paint, or is there a deeper meaning?

**Posted:** Sun Sep 02, 2012 4:53 pm

Drnothing1 · Veteran Joined: 24 Jul 2012 Posts: 146

It seems more likely they just use whatever is available to them at the time; sometimes paint, others sharpie, sometimes even just scratching a rock on the concrete.

**Posted:** Sun Sep 02, 2012 5:28 pm

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What if The Operator is really the ghost of movie critics past trying to prevent Alex from ever making his god-awful movie?

Serum · Guest

So, have we determined what the Operator symbol does yet? Does it summon the tall man, or banish him? Or is it merely his calling card?

**Posted:** Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:41 pm

Cougar Draven

Seems likely that the symbol is a warning to people that our tall friend is mucking about somewhere.

**Posted:** Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:18 am

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fezstudios · Unfettered Joined: 22 Jul 2012 Posts: 348

I don't know if anyone's posted this already, but:
http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/47/477.html

**Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2012 11:43 am

Serum · Guest

**Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2012 11:54 am

Jingleman · Decorated Joined: 29 Aug 2012 Posts: 239 Location: Texas

I think that that article has made the rounds before, but it's a great example of where my current working theory is on the Operator symbol: that it's got multiple uses. Apparently, that crossed-off circle really does have multiple uses in real life, so why wouldn't it be used for different things in the story?

People who know about the Operator may be using it as a warning, or to mark a sighting, or a territory, or a death. They could be using it to identify themselves to one another, or as "breadcrumbs" to be followed to sanctuary. They might even use it for some magical spell or cultish ceremony meant for summoning, warding off, teleportation, or anything in between. And it could be all of the above. No single use has stood up to scrutiny on its own; maybe it's been used differently in different instances.

As I've mentioned before, I think there are really two distinct questions here: (a) what does the symbol itself mean or stand for (why is it a circle with an "x"), and (b) why or how people use it. I kind of doubt we'll get a straight answer on either point.

**Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:47 am

The Slender Man

Just noticed this in class. "This twentieth century symbol was placed on medical forms to denote mental illnes." looks exactly like the operator symbol. Although it apparently was only used on Ellis Island immigrants.

**Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:10 pm

Serum · Guest

It was also the Zodiac killer's calling card for many years.

**Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:30 pm