There is something almost strange in the naming of the coronavirus.
The word corona is taken from the Latin language and translates as “crown.” This name was chosen by scientists to refer to the coronavirus because this virus has spike proteins protruding from its surface, similar to a crown. This virus looked like that under the electron microscope.
However, I found the meaning behind this image more fascinating when I consider what is meant by a crown.
A crown is an image of power, importance, and perhaps even of wisdom. But a crown only reveals what position someone holds but does not reveal if they deserve it. A crown shows how someone looks but not who this person really is.
And it may well be that this is one of the simplest mistakes that we make in our lives. We see something that is true but assume it to be the entire truth.
A beautiful house lets you know that someone has built or acquired a beautiful house. But it cannot let you know whether the home is peaceful. A title lets you know someone’s status. But it cannot let you know whether they possess the wisdom to fit into that status. Money lets you know something about someone’s economic ability. But it does not let you know whether that someone has created an impactful life.
Popularity too can fool us. People can know someone’s name in millions without knowing anything about that person’s character.
The tangible thing can be true and incomplete at the same time.
That’s why I think the naming of the coronavirus is such an interesting story. The scientists have noticed something that’s true. And that is the crown-like appearance. But the crown is not enough to explain everything about the virus. It just tells you about one feature of the virus.
Maybe, we must meet individuals, concepts, and even ourselves with the same humility.
We must avoid having the desire to derive an entire conclusion from just one single observation. We must question what lies underneath the façade, behind the name, and beyond the reputation.
The crown might be genuine. But the crown is not the king.
And that which can be seen does say something about a thing, but may not reveal all about it.
Maybe, wisdom starts when we understand how to differentiate between the visible and the truth.
See you tomorrow
Oluboba Ayodeji