symbols-A universal Language

796 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: What is the symbol in a dream deffered

Did you know roses can represent love or that lilies could stand for beauty? Symbolism is “the practice of representing things by symbols or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character” according to (dictionary.com). Symbolism has been used throughout the world and it can vary among cultures because of its various ideals and qualities it can represent, in literature and in art.
In the late nineteenth-century symbolism originally developed as a literary movement, soon it was associated in the artwork of younger artist. They believed that art should mirror an idea or emotions rather that symbolize the natural world. In many artworks symbolism adds a quality or idea like in Madonna and Child with Saints Peter Paul and the donor' (1505) by G Bellini. The background illustrates the heavens because the marble floor in the painting contrasts with the natural background giving a heavenly feel. Intentionally, symbolism formed as a reaction to impressionism and naturalism. Many times the color or hue of a painting can surface many emotions, blue for example can represent calmness and red can represent passion or anger. Also many objects in art represent other things beyond themselves. Mirrors can be a sign of the sun, broken it represents separation or bad luck. Most of the symbolist painters used objects and gave them a deeper meaning such as death, religion, and love. Also many artist would intentionally make the meaning their painting unclear and not clarify it, this made most viewers interpret the painting however they wanted. In addition to that symbolism influenced two later art movements, surrealism and expressionism.
Symbolism in American culture can easily be found because we see symbols every day. For example a four l...

... middle of paper ...

...-popular-objects. yourdictionary.com.“Examples of Symbolism” March 11, 2014. http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples-of-symbolism.html.
Eva Ketter Labiak. Answers.com. “That’s what it meant: Symbolism in Poetry”. March 11, 2014 http://english.answers.com/history-of-literature/thats-what-it-meant-symbolism-in-poetry
Holly Quinn. Huffingtonpost.com. “Dreams About Being Chased: Dreams Meanings Explained”. March 11, 2014. 07/13/2011. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/symb/hd_symb.htm.
Rebecca Turner. Worldofluciddreaming.com. “30 Common Dreams Symbols and Their Mysterious Meanings ”. March 11, 2014. http://www.world-of-lucid-dreaming.com/30-common-dream-symbols.html
Holly Quinn. Huffingtonpost.com. “Dreams About Being Chased: Dreams Meanings Explained”. March 11, 2014. 07/13/2011http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/13/dreams-about-being-chased_n_891410.html

Show More
Related

  • Symbols of the Hopi Pottery

    1981 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the beginning, symbolism was used for a means of communication. The reason for this was because during this time most Native American’s were Illiterate. Instead of using letter’s in the alphabet, as we do today , they used pictures (Douglas 42). This came to become what we call symbolism.

    Read More

  • Symbolism in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    749 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism is a major literary device that helps people see a book through symbols that often have a deeper meaning. A symbol is used to explain something in a different way, using images, objects, etc. instead of just saying it in words. As you search for a deeper meaning in a work of art or literature, it can help you understand the authors intentions and the deeper significance of a work. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, symbols help reinforce the major themes of the book. Fire and flames have been used as symbols by many authors.

    Read More

  • Symbolism in How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel

    3187 Words  | 7 Pages

    Symbolism can be defined as “the representation of a reality on one level of reference by a corresponding reality on another” (“Symbolism” 564). The word symbol comes from the Greek word "symballein," which translates literally into “to throw together” and suggests the combining of two unrelated worlds. Much...

    Read More

  • The Raven Argumentative Essay

    134 Words  | 1 Pages

    13.symbolism is where an object has a meaning more than what it actually is such as, in Edgar Allan Poe raven is a symbol of death.

    Read More

  • Symbolism and Irony in The Cask of Amontillado

    1301 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism is something that represents more than what it really is. It is often by authors in their writing to give it more emphasis. For example:" In life there will always be peaks and valleys" meaning in life there will be ups and downs but we should enjoy the peaks and fight through the valleys. Objects can also be a form of symbolism such as The Bible, it represents more than just a book. It represents Life, Church, Religion, and the life of Jesus Christ and what he stood for. Irony is like a twist or words or the opposite of what is intended. For example: Laughing at someone that just slipped and fell, then later you find yourself slipping and falling is a form of irony. Irony is found in real life situations as well as writings. Symbolism is a technique that gives authors a better story and shows objects as more than what they are. They use techniques like this to catch the reader’s attention.

    Read More

  • Examples of Irony and Symbolism in The Cask of Amontillado

    1346 Words  | 3 Pages

    Writers often use symbolism in the story to give a more vivid description rather than just saying, pictures are a perfect example. Symbolism is the art of using any object, place, name or anything that represents something rather

    Read More

  • Analysis Paper

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism is the use of a person, place, or thing to represent an idea or quality. In the story The Yellow Wallpaper is filled with symbolism the pattern of the wallpaper, the moonlight, and the house. The pattern of the yellow wallpaper can be seen as a cage. This can be why the narrator feels like she is trapped inside the wallpaper. The moonlight can symbolize the narrator because during the day she remains motionless due to her husband watching her and at night she creeps through the room and remains alert and awake. “At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candlelight, lamplight, and worst of all by...

    Read More

  • Symbolism In 'Doe Season' By Michael Kaplan

    1569 Words  | 4 Pages

    Symbolism is strongly represented through Kaplan’s short story. The symbols represented are the ocean, the killing of the doe and the woods. Visiting the ocean for the first time at the Jersey Shore was new for Andy. Since then she had been awfully frightened of the ocean. She believes the ocean to be a huge, vast that constantly moved, keeps shifting

    Read More

  • What Does Dill Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1048 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Google, symbolism in literature is defined as the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbolism can be seen throughout media and in many pieces of literature including To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the book, the symbol of the mockingbird represents the character Boo Radley, and how his story teaches people to not always believe what others have to say about someone without being able to  prove it true for themselves.

    Read More

  • The Woodpecker's Bits Literary Devices

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kennedy defines symbolism is described as" a person, place, or thing in a poem or narrative that suggests meanings beyond its literal sense". "Symbolism is related to allegory, but it works

    Read More

  • What Does The Room Symbolize In The Masque Of The Red Death

    589 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism, as used in many of Edgar Allen Poe’s allegories (a short story or poem that has hidden meaning), means to represent something. Throughout Edgar Allen Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death the color of the rooms and the ebony clock were key types of symbolism that were used to help develop the theme that death is inevitable. For example, no matter how much money or protection from the plague Prospero had, he and his friends inevitably died.

    Read More

  • Arnold Friend Symbolism

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    The definition of symbolism is the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning. Gilman and Oates present the reader with symbolism to represent different aspects of the story. In these short stories, many of the objects and people in the story indicate a different or underlying meaning to them.

    Read More

  • Lord Of The Flies-symbolism

    633 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism is defined as the representation; treatment or interpretation of things as symbolic. In society and in particular, literature, symbolism is a prominent component that helps to illustrate a deeper meaning then perceived by the reader. Symbolism can be anything, a person, place or thing, used to portray something beyond itself. It is used to represent or foreshadow the conclusion of the story. In William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies symbolism of the main characters Ralph, Jack and Simon plays a very important role in helping to show how our society functions and the different types of personalities that exist. An examination of Simon as a symbol of good, Ralph as a symbol of the common man, and Jack as a symbol of evil, clearly illustrates that William Golding uses characters as a symbol of what is really happening in the outside world throughout the novel.

    Read More

  • Symbolism in "Everyday Use"

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism is a symbol of whatever the object or subject is about. Every little object can be used as a symbol of whatever. Like in math, for example shapes and numbers symbolize anything it can be. Also, the American flag, It has fifty stars, representing 50 states. Also, colors may be used as a symbol. Especially in the person, you can see their true color on how they are or act. Like red angry, blue sad, green happy, black dark, purple love, anything represents something. This is most likely your tone of mood. Also, signs outdoors have symbols. Like signs you see on the road, express way, ditches, restaurants, stores, etc. Most likely everywhere, you just got to pay more attention in what is outdoors and what’s around you.

    Read More

  • Informative Speech on Dreams

    1498 Words  | 3 Pages

    IV. (Preview Main Points) Although we have experienced countless dreams in our lifetime, do we ever stop to think: how dreams occur? How dreams affect our lives? Do dreams even mean anything? Today in my informative speech about dreams, I hope to enlighten you about dreams forming in our minds, the importance of dreams, and lastly the interpretations of dreams.

    Read More

More about symbols-A universal Language

Open Document