Definition of "emblem"

His ſicatrice, with an Embleme of warre, heere on his ſiniſter cheeke;

c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene i], page 235

Yes, there were instances of grandstanding and obsessive behaviour, but many were concealed at the time to help protect an aggressively peddled narrative of Pistorius the paragon, the emblem, the trailblazer.

2014 October 21, Oliver Brown, “Oscar Pistorius jailed for five years – sport afforded no protection against his tragic fallibilities […] ”, in The Daily Telegraph (Sport)‎

Broider'd the ground, more color'd than with stone Of costliest emblem

1667, John Milton, “(please specify the book number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,

An Emblem is but a ſilent Parable:

1718, Francis Quarles, Emblems, divine and moral ; together with Hieroglyphicks of the life of man‎