JOURNAL OF APPLIED SECURITY RESEARCH , VOL. , NO. , – http://dx.doi.org/./.. Visual Motifs in Islamist Terrorism: Applying Conceptual Metaphor Theory Jonathan Matusitz a and James Olufowote b a Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida at Seminole State College, Sanford, Florida, USA; b Department of Communication, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA KEYWORDS Conceptual Metaphor Theory; Islamism; jihadism; metaphors; propaganda; symbols; terrorism; visual motifs ABSTRACT This article examines visual motifs in Islamist terrorism based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory, a theory using three key cat- egories of metaphors (structural, orientational, and ontological metaphors). These metaphors are applied to three case studies to show how visual motifs can be used by Islamists to manipulate their audiences. The case studies are the symbols of (a) the water- fall, (b) the hand, and (c) the color black. Overall, in this analysis, an essential deduction from Islamist visual motifs is that metaphors are a principal conceptual system for Islamists. Metaphors are their main conduit for categorizing what they see in their universe and how they perceive both their in-group members and outside groups (e.g., inidels). Introduction In this article, a meticulous analysis of visual motifs in Islamist terrorism is con- ducted based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakof & Johnson, 1980a), a theory using three key categories of metaphors (structural, orientational, and ontological metaphors). These metaphors are applied to three case studies to show how visual motifs can be used by Islamists to manipulate their audiences. The case studies are the symbols of (a) the waterfall, (b) the hand, and (c) the color black. Many cases of Islamist pictorial or graphic art are more than just images; they are also infused with symbolic messages that convey ideas just as powerfully as images do. This analysis draws, in part, upon the research of experts at the Combating Terrorism Center, an academic establishment at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point. The Center (2006) concentrates on terrorism and counterterrorism issues. It investigates Islamist imagery as the main channel for the creation and dissemination of jihadist ideas. Indeed, Islamist imagery is a conduit used by ideologues, radicals, terrorist leaders, and sympathetic propagandists and it is created to expand their support base and for recruitment purposes. CONTACT Jonathan Matusitz matusitz@gmail.com Nicholson School of Communication, University of Central Florida at Seminole State College,  Weldon Blvd., Partnership Center (#), Sanford, FL , USA. Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/wasr. ©  Taylor and Francis Group, LLC Downloaded by [Princeton University] at 06:34 21 January 2016