“Minad” Name and Logo Story, Meaning and Symbolism
I am now ready to share the story of the name and logo of “Minad.” It is also a birth story and content. Why wasn’t I ready to share immediately? It was probably important to get used to my “baby” and get into a daily rhythm, to see how it all starts to live its own life. Today, “Minad” as a company is 1.2 years old. I myself have been working under this name for 9 years, plus with the previous company.
I hope this story inspires you to start realizing your dreams. The important thing is to take the first and most logical step.
First, the name “Minad.”
I first used this name 11 “Minad Intensives” ago, in early summer 2018. Encouraged by a friend at the time, I booked accommodation at Topu, named the camp, and waited to see what would happen. This was my first logical step. Apparently, my friend had gotten tired of my constant dreaming and inaction. My heart trembled with anticipation and fear—would people come, and how would I manage everything with a small child (my daughter was 1 year old then)? It was certain that my child would come with me, as such a young child can’t be away from their mother for long.
Preparations for the first Minad Intensive
The next logical steps. I just started organizing—food, accommodation, daily schedule, and content. Materials and transport. My knowledge and long-term experience in logistics came in handy. Surprisingly, everything fell into place effortlessly.
Why “Minade Intensive”?
By that time, I had been providing therapy services for several years and was continuously updating my skills in this field. The more I discovered about myself and new knowledge, the greater my desire grew to share it with others, to create something new together. As I often say, my heart was pulling me elsewhere from where I was at the time. I was likely ready to start walking my own path, shaping my handwriting, and reaching an independence I had never had before. This was one of my “Minad,” which had been hidden for many years.
Shadows and masks
A person consists of many “Minads”—or different parts, each with its own characteristics and tasks. For example, the inner critic, victim, rescuer, aggressor, winner, protector. The list is endless, and these parts all live inside a person. In different situations and with different people, different parts are activated, and some parts are suppressed at the same time. These are the shadows and masks—different parts of “Mina” formed by experiences, teachings, and the living environment. Naturally, these parts need attention and healing to learn and grow as a person and to connect with the rest of the whole.
The Whole Self
The Whole Self = all “Mina” parts are connected, each with its task, all having their place, and cooperating with each other. The goal is to make the hidden parts visible through healing, that is, therapeutic techniques (explaining and solving root causes). C.G. Jung has named this process the individuation process, which means becoming aware of oneself—who I am, what are my talents and weaknesses, characteristics, and how to apply them in this life.
Since my activities encompass all this, the camp was named accordingly, because at “Minade intensive” each participant deals with one or several parts of “Mina.” They bring it to light, heal the root causes, and integrate.
From there, it was a logical step to name the company, Facebook group, and other channels the same name. Because this is what I do—to help others become independent and reach their Whole Self through healing different parts of “Mina.” The goal is to reduce dependence on external factors and increase trust in one’s abilities, peculiarities, skills, and talents. Then, to collaborate to create more opportunities and develop as humanity. In other words—to create a better future for our children and future generations.
The “Minad” logo—a woman with two hawks.
No, it’s not an angel. It’s a woman with a hawk on each hand. The crown on the woman’s head does not signify superiority but connection, openness, and self-awareness.
The entire image is symmetrical, as above, so below. As on the right, so on the left. It symbolizes the cross, which represents the union of all parts of the personality within a person, and how the external always reflects the quality of this union. Different cultures have given this symbol various names, such as fire, water, earth, and air, or east, west, north, and south, or physical, mental, emotional, and intellectual, or body, mind, soul, and heart. All refer to the union of personality parts.
The hawk symbol: making fair decisions, maintaining a clear mind, acting when necessary, being consistent, and taking initiative. An ideal character for collaborative projects. Short summary. Those interested can look up more meanings.
How the logo idea came to me
I did not follow symbolism at all initially. It all came later when the logo was ready, and I started seeing them there. It all began when a friend shared her drawings. They were powerful and eloquent. Different details started attracting me in different pictures. I asked for all of them and enjoyed them. Then one day, the image of the logo simply appeared before my eyes. It was rudimentary, and not everything that is visible on the logo today was there. I decided to order from the same friend and left some details to her discretion. I trusted that she perceived me well enough and that what would appear on paper would be most inherent to me and most suitable for “Minad.” You can see the logo sketches as the cover photo of this story.
When I received the final result—on A1 paper, I was so happy. It was exactly it! And I can’t put it into words, but that feeling appears every time I use, look at, or share the logo. Pleasant. Spot on! Thank you, Kristi Malm, for hitting the mark.
Next, it went for photographing and digitalization, that is, technical execution. For this, I am grateful to Mari Pukk, Gerli Rand, and Indrek, who made it visible.
One interesting incident in the logo’s birth story
When the picture was finished, I was so euphoric that I didn’t notice the missing navel. The photographer noticed and quickly used the right pencil stroke from the woman’s eye to create a perfect navel. Oh, how important that navel was. I didn’t allow the website developer to change or modify it in any other way. It had to come from that eye. Sometimes you have to insist on your way if your gut feeling is so strong—trust it.
This incident holds such great symbolic meaning for me that once again, I affirm—nothing happens by chance. If you can notice and capture the essence, it enriches your world immediately. Everything external is a mirror. Also, to those wonderful inner processes that have been resolved and turned into talents.
The beginning of a wonderful journey and meaningful creation continues. All the people who participate in the camps, come to therapy, seminars, or courses are my inspiration and fuel to keep going. Thank you!
What are the next steps? I don’t know; they will appear when the time is right, and I am ready again. Meanwhile, I wish you all the inspiration to grow into a Whole Self. If I can support you in any way, feel free to reach out.