Symbolism: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Greek 'symbolon,' meaning 'token' or 'sign,' which referred to an object used to convey meaning.
• The concept of symbolism has roots in ancient civilizations, where symbols were often used in religious practices and rituals.
• In the 19th century, the term began to be associated with a literary movement that emphasized the use of symbols to express ideas.

Literature

• Many famous authors, like Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne, used symbolism to add layers of meaning to their stories.
• In literature, objects, characters, and events often symbolize larger concepts, such as a rose representing love or a journey symbolizing life’s challenges.
• The 20th-century Symbolist movement in poetry focused on evoking emotions rather than directly stating them, using rich imagery.

Art

• Symbolism in art emerged in the late 19th century, where artists like Gustave Moreau used symbolic images to express their ideas on beauty and emotion.
• In visual arts, colors and shapes can carry symbolic meanings; for example, blue can symbolize tranquility or sadness.
• Iconography is a branch of art history that studies symbols in artworks, helping to interpret the meanings behind them.

Psychology

• Symbolism plays a crucial role in dreams, where objects can symbolize aspects of the dreamer's subconscious mind.
• Carl Jung, a famous psychologist, introduced the idea of archetypes, which are universal symbols and themes recurring across cultures.
• Understanding symbolism can provide insights into personal experiences, as individuals often attach personal meanings to symbols.

Culture

• Many cultures have symbols deeply ingrained in their traditions, like the lotus flower symbolizing purity in Eastern religions.
• National flags often contain symbols representing the values or history of a country, like the eagle in the United States symbolizing freedom.
• Mythical creatures, like dragons or phoenixes, often carry specific symbolic meanings related to strength, rebirth, or wisdom.

Ranked #10,834, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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