A symbol is an object or an element that represents a meaning or an idea that is beyond its physical form. Symbolism is vital to a story, like the potatoes are to the meat, so to speak. It provides ancillary to the emotional substance of a novel. While reading through Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, there are numerous symbols that come to light, such as the game of checkers and Janie’s hair.
According to Wikipedia, a symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow us to go beyond what is known or seen by creating links between concepts and experiences. They help create a better understanding of the plot, theme, or characters in literature. For example, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding consists of several symbols. The novel is about a group of British boys who are stranded on an island with nothing but their knowledge of human civilization. They try to create a society of their own, but it begins to subside as they descend into savagery. Symbols like the conch, the beast, or the painted masks help reveal their true nature. However, the most important symbol is the fire. Golding uses the fire to paradoxically represent savagery, destruction and most significantly hope of rescue. He describes the fire as technology that menaces destruction if it gets out of control, yet ironically it also symbolizes the boys’ connection to human civilization.
In our everyday life we see symbols all around us. People wear chains and certain colors because it all symbolizes something. For an example many people are familiar with the Hamisa which varies the meaning in different religions and cultures. However in the Egyptian culture it 's considered to keep all evil away. Regardless symbols will always have a meaning Look at
An author often uses symbolism in order to give the reader a clue into a deeper meaning behind the story. A symbol is an object, person, place, or experience that represents something else, usually something abstract. Symbols challenge the readers simple explanation while relating to the everyday experience. In order to add depth to their stories, authors often use symbols to help the reader gain a greater understanding of the story.
Symbolism is used in many ways and writers use symbolism to “enhance their writing.” It can give their work “more richness and color and can make the meaning of the work deeper.” In literary work the actions of the characters, words, action, place, or event has a deeper meaning in the context of the whole story. The reader needs to look see the little things like a dove symbolizes peace, or like the red rose stands for romance. Mostly everything can have a symbolism meaning to it. For instance the flag symbolizes freedom and the stars represent the states. Even some signs are symbols like when a beaker has a skull with a bones placed like an ‘x’ behind it symbolizes that it’s toxic or bad. When people see the red light when driving that’s
Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In a soccer team named Cruz Azul there is a person who symbolized hope for the team. His name is Christian Gimenez. Because he was injured he now comes in as a substitute. As soon as people see him getting warmed up they start screaming his name. In soccer when you are called up for the national squad most of the players have a sense of feeling proud for themselves because they get to represent a whole country. Also, in boxing when you have a belt it symbolizes that you are a champion. Finally, the United States symbolizes freedom and more opportunities. Most people come to the United States because where they come from the didn’t have much freedom or they just weren’t
Symbolism is a characteristic that stands out in a person or thing. People usually use symbolism for something that means to them or represents to them. The symbols are used for many things, for example the apple on the iphone, laptop or iPod symbolizes the brand. Symbols are also used in churches, for example the cross symbolizes Jesus Christ. It symbolizes how he was crucified, put to death on a cross. The colors symbolize something’s to for example the colors white, red and blue symbolize freedom in the United States, it also represents the United States flag. Symbols are also used in movies like the hunger games catching fire; their symbol is a mocking bird with an arrow on it.
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works, a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. The image of the mule emerges repeatedly in different contexts throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, but remains consistent in its symbolism of Janie. The figure of the mule can also refer not only to Janie herself but to any black woman struggling for independence.
Symbols are often used outside of their original context. An excellent example is the Swatiska whose original idea was auspiciousness and “that which is associated with wellbeing. This symbol has been around for over a thousand years in the Hindu, Buddha and Jainism religions and is still used today in eastern parts of the world without any one trying to get rid of it.
2. Religious Cross- The religious cross in our container is a symbol for the theme of expansion. The religious cross is symbolic of the faith that both the explorers and settlers had to have ingrained in their minds in order to discover and develop the American west, much like how a cross is used to profess faith to God. Expansion relates to the historical impact of Native American discrimination because of the newly discovered (westward expansion) land that was claimed by settlers and originally settled upon by Native Americans, creating tension between the Native Americans and the white settlers.
There are symbols everywhere. A flag is just a piece of fabric to some, but to others it symbolizes freedom and patriotism. Some books, such as the Lord of the Flies show a vast amount of examples of what symbols are. This story, the Lord of the Flies, has a lot of symbols, such as the glasses or the conch. In Lord of the Flies by William Golding the conch shell symbolizes authority, which is derived from the structure and security within society.
According to the definition given by google, the term symbol is defined as “a thing that represents” (Google.com). Laura Esquivel, author of Like Water for Chocolate incorporates symbols to give her novel an in depth meaning for her characters rather than the glass mirror told upon each page. Esquivel uses symbolic morals of self guidance to seek the inner flame in every individual in society, Biblical reference such as the comparison between Tita and The Virgin Mary, and imagery from the premonition Tita had of her “White Wedding” (Billy Idol). These symbolic references create a living novel in the worlds between fantasy and reality.
Symbolic signs are never a direct image of the desired action. Instead a symbol which is usually associated with an action. Eg: the panda bear logo which is associated The World Wildlife Fund. The organization is not in place simply for Pandas, it’s associated with all endangered animals. However if someone comes across the symbol they immediately know who it represents. An iconic image is a direct image of a desired action. For example an icon of a man swimming on a sign close to a pool/river means that it is safe to swim in that designated area.
According to Goia’s glossary of terms “a symbol is person place or thing… that suggest meaning beyond its literal sense…is related to allegory…works complexly... usually contains multiple names and associations.”1 Goia defines symbolic acts as involving “conscious or unconscious acts of ritual like rebirth, purification, forgiveness, vengeance or initiation”.2
Iconography is the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject and especially a religious or legendary subject (Iconography). Icons are used in all religions to represent and commemorate religious figures and symbols that are held with great honor within the religion. Icons are used to represent some sacred personage, such as a saint or an angel or Christ (The Definition of Icons). Icons are typically written on wood and honored as sacred (Goldammer). Not only is the writing itself seen as sacred but the whole practice of creating these icons is a religious event. There are three main types of religious icons: portrait icons, group icons, and landscape icons referring the the objects in the writings.