Celebrate the iconic style and powerful message of Haile Selassie with our exclusive collection of shirts. Embrace the vibrant colors and bold designs that pay homage to the legendary leader. Wear your admiration proudly and spread the message of unity, equality, and empowerment. Join the movement and make a statement with our Haile Selassie shirts today!
Celebrate the iconic style and powerful message of Haile Selassie with our collection of the best shirts. Featuring vibrant colors, bold designs, and inspiring quotes, these shirts pay homage to the legendary leader. Wear your admiration proudly and spread the wisdom of Selassie’s teachings with every step you take.
The power of Jah, a spiritual force that transcends all boundaries, has an undeniable impact on those who embrace it. It brings solace to troubled souls, ignites a fire within the hearts of believers, and guides them towards a path of righteousness. Its influence is profound, transforming lives and fostering a deep connection with the divine.
I have designed close to 50 or more Haile Selassie t shirts so far, and I have learned many things about King Selassie as well as many spiritual lessons in life which have been very beneficial to me so I am going to share them with you in this blog post. When I first thought about blogging Haile Selassie t shirts, I considered what to write about. If you want to learn about Haile Selassie, all you have to do is go to Wikipedia or thousands of other resources, and they’ll teach you about when he was born, how he was raised, how he became the king of Ethiopia, and so forth. But I realized the need to differentiate this blog to thousands of other articles that talk about his life or his legacy. Obviously, I’m going to have to talk a little bit about his legacy in order to make connections with spiritual lessons I learned from this great man.
We all know that in Rastafarian culture, they revere Haile Selassie as a God, sort of like the second coming of Christ in Christian philosophy. If you ask me whether Haile Selassie was a God, that is a subject matter that deserves another entire blog post. But simply put, I do not think he was a God. Why? It is because of my own understanding of what Christ Consciousness is. Christ Consciousness has nothing to do with third-party persons we are supposed to revere as Gods but rather it is something that is within all of us.
Even in the Bible, which has been rewritten probably more than thousands of times, has said that Christ is coming back. It didn’t say Jesus was coming back. And when I say Jesus, I don’t mean Jesus. What I really mean to say is Yeshua, because that was his real name. The letter J was invented, according to mainstream history, in the 16th century. Before that, the letter J wasn’t even used. So this letter or word was invented in the 16th century, thereby erasing the real person who was able to do miracles such as turning water into wine, splitting the ocean in half, and more. Now, if you ask me, was there a person named Yeshua who was able to do these incredible things? I would have to say yes.
I know that I went on a tangent talking about Christ Consciousness when this blog post is supposed to be about Haile Selassie t shirts. But I think it’s okay to give a little background on what I personally think about Selassie as a religious figure because so many people believe that he is God. Just because I don’t believe he is a God, does that mean that I don’t respect him? Absolutely not. In fact, I respect him a lot. Probably more than any other person in the last hundred years or so because he represented more than himself. He was a small guy fighting against the establishment who came out on top. What’s there not to like about him?
As explained earlier, I have different thoughts about Christ Consciousness. It’s a Consciousness, not a person, not a third party, but something that is within you because the Kingdom of Heaven is within you, not outside of you. Because of this fact, whatever you imagine and feel with your emotions, you create externally. I also would like to note that my intent here is not to disrespect any Rastafarians because I know that at the core of their belief, they believe that Haile Selassie was the second coming of Christ. I’d also like to note that it was Haile Selassie who mentioned himself that he was not a God. He was a great person and did many great things for the Rastafarians, such as laying the groundwork for African Americans to come back to Africa as well as giving them future and hope. And in that regard, he was such a great man. So it is obvious that Haile Selassie was more than a king. He was a spiritual figure who motivated others, which many people looked up to.
So what am I trying to convey whenever I’m designing Haile Selassie t shirts? What do I want people to feel when they wear my brand with Haile Selassie as the backdrop? Well, I think the message is that you could be David, and I’m going to use a biblical analogy right now, fighting against Goliath, who is 20 times or maybe even 30 times bigger and still win. And I believe this was a true story that existed back in the days. You can even see Giants today, who are 7’8”, 7’9”, almost 8 ft tall but they are not called giants. They are called basketball players now. Haile Selassie represented what you could be. David fighting Goliath and winning as long as you are using Christ Consciousness, meaning if you’re able to combine your brain, your thought, your imagination, and your emotions into one with a heart that is loving, full of compassion, and living for others, you could move mountains if you say ‘move mountain.’ This is even mentioned in the Gospel of Thomas, which was erased by the Council of Nicea, the editors of the Bible. But this story was part of the Nag Hammadi, which is slowly coming out to the surface now.
I’m Asian, and if you are African-American or a Rastafarian from Jamaica, you may think that I am not genuine. You may think I have no connections whatsoever, so I shouldn’t even produce these Haile Selassie t shirts. In fact, I’ve had people from Jamaica email me or call me, and complain that I am misappropriating their culture for my own benefit. But on a personal level, I think I’ve gained so much since when I first started designing Rastafarian clothing compared to now in terms of maturity, life experience, and most importantly, how to handle difficult situations, just like David facing Goliath in biblical terms. And I am sharing those lessons with you now so I am giving back to the community.
If you’ve read about Haile Selassie, you know that he went through a lot himself too. There are many anecdotes about his life as a king, but what stands out to me the most is that he had to defend against powerful Fascist Italy and won. At that time, it was the brutal Mussolini and his fascist government that were in charge, doing whatever they could to pillage other people who were less fortunate or who were more innocent and believed the foreigners as their own brothers and sisters. In the end, he was backstabbed by the people, namely the Europeans, whom he trusted. I believe he was murdered. After that, Ethiopia became a devastatingly poor country for many, many years, even now. But while he was king, he was able to successfully defend against imperialist powers with his own citizens.
I consider myself a spiritual person, and one of my gifts is that I could read people’s energies. It’s easier to read energies of people when I’m near them in person, but I can also read people’s energies through photographs. It’s the demeanor, it’s the aura, it’s the vibration and the frequency that they emit through photos, and I can read that very well. When I look at Selassie, I can tell that he was not a greedy person, and he sincerely wanted his country Ethiopia to do well. I could also sense that he wasn’t controlled by secret societies or groups that wanted to take advantage of him, which is probably the reason why he was murdered by his own people. When I say “his own people,” I don’t mean literally his own people, but rather people who are controlling them with assets, wealth, and money, convincing them that killing Selassie was the best decision for them. We all know that wasn’t the case because if you look at Ethiopia in the last 50 years, they have been living in total destitution.
This is not a well-known fact, but Africa as a continent is one of the wealthiest continents in the world. They basically have unlimited resources. But all the resources never went to its own people. The Western powers raped and pillaged everything for their own benefit. And even now, they are doing the same. The benefits don’t go to the Africans, but rather it comes back to the Westerners who control the world.
I realize that there are some things I can change and some that I cannot change. What I can change is myself, my thoughts, my mind. But externally, what’s happening in the world, I cannot change. And the rape of the African continent is something that I cannot change. But what I can do is to learn about the spirit aspects of Haile Selassie, what he represented as a person, and translate that into graphic arts, t-shirts, and clothing that people could wear and feel the energy, the energy of standing up to unfairness, injustice, and eventually succeeding. So, in this regard, I believe Selassie has tremendous appeal, especially for the poor, for the persecuted, for the people who are facing injustice. And Selassie represents more than just himself. He was a figure that we could all look up to and give us a sense of hope.
Lastly, as a king, it’s easy to abuse your powers and fall into many temptations. You get to eat as much food as you want, you can have any woman you want. But when you look back on Selassie’s life, he was a very skinny guy which shows that he was really careful about his diet probably a lot of vegetables. He knew the power behind food and what it does to people when you overconsume. This probably helped him tremendously to stay in tune within himself, with his mind, with his brain, which enabled him to listen to his inner voice rather than outside influences. Even though towards the end of his political career, the Western powers surrounded him with all their assets, to force their will upon him, he nonetheless maintained his integrity and never gave away his power.
When you visit Fifth Degree’s website or our Etsy shop and see the Haile Selassie t shirts that we have created, I hope you don’t think that they’re just another ordinary t-shirt. Instead, I want you to think that these t-shirts represent hope, the fight against injustice, David fighting Goliath, and overcoming all odds. Through this blog, I hope that Rastafarians who may think that I have no standing to produce such designs will understand where I’m coming from, understand my story, and how designing many Haile Selassie clothing forced me to study him and know him better than many people out there. This has enhanced my life and has given me hope. It has given me the power to fight through the struggle. And I hope you too will feel the same emotions that I feel whenever I come across a Haile Selassie t shirt we have designed. I hope this blog post brought a positive change to your life. Remember, when you wear Fifth Degree, you are showing people that you understand history, and that you’re part of something special, that you are on the side of justice and will eventually come out on top of it all.
You’ve now found the staple t-shirt of your wardrobe. It’s made of 100% ring-spun cotton and is soft and comfy. The double stitching on the neckline and sleeves add more durability to what is sure to be a favorite!
• 100% ring-spun cotton
• Sport Grey is 90% ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Dark Heather is 65% polyester, 35% cotton
• 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
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Jamaica, the third-largest island in the Caribbean, is famous for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture. It is also the birthplace of Rastafarian culture, a spiritual and social movement that originated in the 1930s. Rastafarianism is centered on the worship of Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, who is seen as the messiah by Rastafarians.
Jamaica’s impact on the spread of Rastafarian culture has been significant and far-reaching. From its origins in Jamaica, Rastafarianism has spread to other parts of the world, influencing music, fashion, and popular culture. Studying Jamaica’s impact on the spread of Rastafarian culture provides insight into the cultural, political, and social factors that shaped this movement.
The purpose of this blog post is to explore Jamaica’s impact on the spread of Rastafarian culture. We will delve into the history of Rastafarianism, examine the influence of Jamaica on the development of this movement, and explore how Rastafarian culture has spread beyond Jamaica’s borders. Finally, we will look at the contemporary state of Rastafarian culture and discuss why it is important to preserve this unique and influential movement.
Rastafarianism emerged in Jamaica in the early 20th century as a response to the colonial legacy and oppression experienced by Black Jamaicans. The movement draws inspiration from the Bible and Ethiopianism, a Pan-Africanist movement that celebrated Ethiopia as a symbol of African pride and independence. The term “Rastafarian” comes from the name Ras Tafari Makonnen, which was the pre-coronation name of Haile Selassie I.
Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican activist and leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), played a significant role in the development of Rastafarianism. Garvey’s teachings emphasized Black pride and self-reliance, which resonated with many Jamaicans. Rastafarians viewed Garvey as a prophet and saw his prediction that a king would rise from Africa as a prophecy fulfilled in the person of Haile Selassie I.
Haile Selassie I was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974 and is considered the messiah by Rastafarians. His coronation in 1930 was seen as the fulfillment of Garvey’s prophecy and sparked the growth of Rastafarianism in Jamaica. Rastafarians view Haile Selassie as a divine figure who will lead them to salvation. His speeches and writings on social justice, anti-colonialism, and African unity continue to inspire Rastafarians around the world.
Jamaica is the birthplace of Rastafarian culture and has played a significant role in shaping this movement. Rastafarianism emerged in the context of Jamaica’s colonial legacy and the struggles of Black Jamaicans for self-determination. The movement drew on the island’s cultural traditions, including the use of ganja (marijuana) as a sacrament, and developed its distinctive music, art, and language.
Reggae music, which emerged in Jamaica in the late 1960s, has been a significant influence on Rastafarian culture. Reggae lyrics often celebrate Rastafarianism and its principles of social justice, equality, and African unity. The music of Bob Marley, one of Jamaica’s most famous musicians, was particularly influential in spreading Rastafarianism to a global audience. Marley’s songs, such as “Redemption Song” and “Get Up, Stand Up,” have become anthems of the movement.
Jamaican politics has had a significant impact on Rastafarian culture. The movement emerged in the context of Jamaica’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule and its legacy of racial inequality. Rastafarians have been active in Jamaican politics, advocating for social justice and political change. The movement’s influence on Jamaican politics has been particularly significant in the areas of ganja legalization and reparations for slavery.
Rastafarianism has spread beyond Jamaica to other parts of the world, including the United States. The movement gained popularity among African Americans in the 1960s and 1970s, who saw Rastafarianism as a way to connect with their African roots and reject white supremacy. Rastafarianism has influenced African American culture, including music, fashion, and language. The movement has also had an impact on the civil rights and black power movements in the United States.
Rastafarianism has also spread to Europe, where it has gained popularity among young people and reggae music fans. The movement has influenced European culture, including music, fashion, and art. Rastafarianism has also been embraced by some European social and political movements, such as anti-racism and environmentalism.
Rastafarianism has had a significant impact on Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Rastafarians view Ethiopia as a spiritual homeland and Haile Selassie I as a messiah figure. The movement has inspired the development of African-centered and Pan-Africanist movements on the continent. Rastafarians have also been involved in humanitarian and development projects in Africa, such as building schools and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Rastafarian culture has evolved and adapted over time, reflecting changing social, political, and cultural contexts. Today, Rastafarianism is a global movement that continues to promote principles of social justice, equality, and African unity. Rastafarians continue to use ganja as a sacrament, and the movement’s distinctive music, art, and language continue to influence popular culture around the world. Contemporary Rastafarianism is also characterized by a growing emphasis on sustainable living and environmentalism.
The future of Rastafarian culture is uncertain, as the movement faces a range of challenges. Rastafarianism has struggled to maintain its cultural authenticity in the face of commercialization and mainstream appropriation. The movement has also faced opposition and persecution from governments and conservative religious groups. However, Rastafarianism continues to inspire social and political movements around the world, and its principles and values are more relevant than ever in the face of global inequality and environmental crisis.
Preserving Rastafarian culture is essential for maintaining the movement’s legacy and promoting its principles and values. Rastafarianism has made significant contributions to global culture, including music, art, and language, and has inspired social and political movements around the world. Preserving Rastafarian culture also means respecting the movement’s cultural traditions and values, including its use of ganja as a sacrament and its commitment to sustainable living and environmentalism. By preserving Rastafarian culture, we can continue to learn from the movement’s legacy and inspire new generations to promote social justice, equality, and African unity.
In this blog post, we explored the impact of Jamaica on the spread of Rastafarian culture. We discussed the history of Rastafarianism, including its origins, the role of Marcus Garvey, and the influence of Haile Selassie. We also explored Jamaica’s impact on Rastafarian culture, including its role as the birthplace of the movement, the influence of reggae music, and the impact of Jamaican politics. Additionally, we discussed the spread of Rastafarian culture beyond Jamaica, including in the United States, Europe, and Africa. Finally, we explored contemporary Rastafarianism, its future, and the importance of preserving its cultural authenticity and legacy.
Jamaica’s impact on the spread of Rastafarian culture cannot be overstated. As the birthplace of the movement, Jamaica played a critical role in shaping Rastafarianism’s distinctive cultural traditions, including its music, language, and use of ganja as a sacrament. Additionally, Jamaica’s political and social history played a significant role in the development and spread of Rastafarian culture. Jamaica’s influence on Rastafarianism extends beyond the island’s borders, as the movement’s principles and values continue to inspire social and political movements around the world.
Exploring Jamaica’s impact on the spread of Rastafarian culture allows us to appreciate the movement’s cultural significance and its ongoing relevance today. To learn more about Rastafarianism, we recommend reading the works of scholars such as Barry Chevannes, Leonard E. Barrett, and Horace Campbell. Additionally, exploring the music and art of Rastafarian culture, including the works of artists such as Bob Marley and Ras Michael, can provide further insights into the movement’s legacy. By continuing to learn about and appreciate Rastafarian culture, we can promote its principles of social justice, equality, and African unity, and contribute to the movement’s ongoing legacy of cultural and social transformation.
Final Note
If you’re interested in exploring who is Jah and Rastafarian culture further, we invite you to check out Fifth Degree’s collection of Rastafarian clothing. Our clothing is designed to reflect the spirit and teachings of Rastafarianism, with bold colors, empowering messages, and a commitment to sustainability and ethical production. We believe that what you wear can be a powerful expression of your values and beliefs, and we’re proud to offer a range of high-quality, stylish, and socially conscious clothing for individuals who are seeking to live in harmony with nature and the divine. Visit our website today to learn more about our collection and find the perfect Rastafarian clothes for woman for you.
