Honouring the memory of those we lose takes many forms, though defacing currency would have to rank among the more unusual ways to do it.
Canada's $5 notes are being defaced in memory of actor Leonard Nimoy, who died last week, in a ritual known as "Spocking a five".
As printed, the Canadian $5 note features a portrait of former Canadian prime minister Wilfrid Laurier.
However, with some drawn on upswept Vulcan eyebrows and a roughly drawn Vidal Sassoon "five point" bob Laurier bears more than a passing resemblance to Leonard Nimoy's Mr Spock.
The trick is not new but in the wake of Nimoy's death it has become more widespread, fuelled by a social media campaign and the hashtag #spockyourfives. Nimoy died last week, aged 83, from from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Bank of Canada has even been forced to issue a statement warning Canadians that "writing on a bank note may interfere with the security features [of the note] and reduces its lifespan."
"Markings on a note may also prevent it from being accepted in a transaction," the statement said.
The bank noted that it was not illegal to write on a banknote, though there were "important reasons" why the practice should be avoided.
"They are a symbol of our country and a source of national pride," the statement said.
#spockyourfives #rip pic.twitter.com/ILUfE0gkXE — Schoolboy DQ (@keelyscottt) March 2, 2015
#RIPLeonardNimoy @canada #SpockYourFives pic.twitter.com/iiavbFUknV — J.S. (@realjasonstru) February 28, 2015
I found an image of the two $5 bills I defaced and Spockified. #SpockYourFives pic.twitter.com/A8JWKGvREt — sin rosetro (@luisaalver) March 2, 2015
"Spock" your $5 bills for Leonard Nimoy pic.twitter.com/bKdKyC3l4q — Design Canada (@The_CDR) February 27, 2015
