Symbolism: Definition, Examples, and Insight
What is symbolism? This is the school of thought that things, people, plants, and symbols around us represent other things. In nature, when you see white roses blooming, what comes into your mind? Of course, you will see beautiful flowers, but you will not leave it at that. It is human nature to want to decipher the meanings of something further other than being content with its appearance and existence.
Symbolism can also be defined as a literary element that uses signs, plants, people, words, art, among other things, to symbolize something beyond the precise meaning. This concept is not confined to literary works only because symbols surround us in our daily lives. It is in us to always want to know what something means beyond its appearance and literal meaning.
Example
A good example of symbolism being put into good use is the color red. Many cultures believe that the color red is a symbol of love, romance, and passion. Negatively, the color red connotes danger. During Valentine’s Day, you are prone to notice the color red all over, not only in flowers but clothing and other things. This is because people believe that red symbolizes love and intense passion.
In conclusion, it is safe to say that even though many people believe in symbolism, symbolic qualities of certain things exist only in certain contexts, and at times you might encounter something that symbolizes nothing at all.
Common Symbol Meanings
- Alchemy Animals
- Alchemy Metals
- Alchemy Planet
- Alchemy Symbolism
- Anchor Symbolic Meaning
- Ancient Alchemy
- Animal Alchemy Symbols
- Animal Love Symbolism
- Animals In Dreams Symbolism
- Ankh Symbolism
- Apple Tree
- April Symbolism
- Artifacts Symbolism
- Asclepius Symbolism
- Aspen Tree
- August Symbolism
- Aura Color Meanings & Symbolism
- Aura Color Projection
- Aztec Symbolism
- Basic Shapes Symbolism
- Basilisk Monster
- Bluebell Flower
- Bodhi Tree
- Buttercup Flower
- Caduceus
- Calligraphy Symbolism
- Castle Symbolism
- Cat Prints Symbols
- Celtic Animal
- Celtic Archetypes
- Celtic Calligraphy
- Celtic Cernunnos Symbolism
- Celtic Cernunnos Symbols
- Celtic Cross Meaning
- Celtic Eagle
- Celtic Five-Fold
- Celtic Goddess Danu Symbolism
- Celtic Jewelry History
- Celtic Knots
- Celtic Mandala Symbols
- Celtic Meaning Of Blackthorn Tree
- Celtic Sign Symbols
- Celtic Skull Symbolism
- Celtic Symbols
- Celtic Symbols For Purity
- Celtic Symbols Of Blodeuwedd
- Celtic Tattoo History & Symbolism
- Celtic Trinity Triquetra Symbolism
- Celtic Triskelion Symbol
- Celtic Warrior Symbolism
- Chain Symbolism
- Chakra Mandala
- Change Symbolism
- Chinese Dragon Symbolism
- Chinese Flowers Symbolism
- Chinese Symbol Writing
- Chinese Symbolism
- Chinese Symbols
- Chinese Symbols For Longevity
- Chinese Symbols: Abstract Knowledge And Skills
- Chinese Zodiac Signs & Moon Phases
- Christmas Symbolism
- Circle Symbolism
- Cloud Symbolism
- Color Symbolism
- Common Dream
- Creating A Personal Symbol
- Daisy Symbolism
- Dandelion Symbolism
- Dara Celtic Knot Symbolism
- Death And Loss Meaning
- December Symbolism
- Demons
- Diamond Alchemy
- Diamond Symbolism
- Dragons
- Earth Symbolism & Meditation
- Edelweiss Flower
- Elemental Alchemy Symbols
- Eye of Horus Symbolism
- Eye Symbolism
- Family Symbolism
- Fathers Symbolism
- Feathers Symbolism
- February Symbolism
- Fir Tree Symbolism
- Flower Colors
- Flower Symbolism
- Garden Symbolism
- Getting Messages From Nature
- Gnomes Earth Elementals Symbolism
- Goblins Mythology
- God and Goddess
- God And Goddess Symbol Meanings
- Goddess Inanna
- Goddess Temperantia Symbol
- Good Health Symbolism
- Good Luck Animals
- Good Luck Symbolism
- Good Luck Symbols in Business
- Goran Jonsson
- Gorse Tree
- Grapevine Symbolism
- Grass Symbolism
- Greek Goddesses Of Motherhood
- Griffin Mythology
- Halloween
- Hand Symbolic Meaning
- Heart Symbolism Meaning
- Heather Flower
- Holiday and Calendar Meaning
- Honeysuckle Flower
- Hopi Symbolism
- Horseshoe Symbolism
- Hourglass Symbolism
- Hunab Ku
- Iron Cross Symbolism
- J.K. Rowling
- January Symbolism
- July Symbolism
- June Symbolism
- Kachina Symbolism
- Knife
- Knots
- Kokopelli Symbolism
- Law Of Attraction Symbolism
- Lightning Symbolism
- Lily Symbolism
- Listening To Nature For Answers
- Loch Ness Monster
- Lotus Flower
- Love Symbolism
- Maltese Cross
- Mandala
- Mandala Symbol
- Mandala Symbolism
- March Symbolism
- May Symbolism
- Maya God and Goddess Symbol
- Mayan Symbolic Meanings
- Mayan Symbolism Meaning
- Memorial And Memory Meaning
- Mermaid
- Mimosa Flower
- Mistletoe Symbolism
- Money Symbolism
- Moon Symbolism & Meditation
- Mother Bird Symbolism
- Mothers Symbolic Meaning
- Mulberry Tree
- Native American Mandala
- Native American Meaning of Cardinal Directions
- Native American Sun Meaning
- Nature Symbolism
- Nature Symbols
- November Symbolism
- Number Thirteen
- October Symbolism
- Orcs
- Palm Tree
- Passion Flower
- Peace Lily Flower
- Periwinkle Flower
- Petunia Flower
- Poinsettia Meaning
- Polarity Law Symbolism Meaning
- Poppy Symbolism
- Quaternary Celtic Knot Symbolism
- Rainbow Symbolism
- Rose Symbolism
- Salamander Fire Symbolism
- Seasons Symbolism Meaning
- September Symbolism
- Shamrock Symbolism
- Shou Symbolism
- Sioux
- Sirens
- Skull Symbolism
- Slenderman
- Spiral Meaning
- Square Meaning
- Squirrel Tracks Symbolism
- Star of Bethlehem Flower
- Starlight Symbolism
- Summer Solstice Meaning
- Sun Yantra
- Sunflower Meaning
- Swords Symbolism
- Sylphs
- Symbolic Elementals
- Symbolic Elements
- Symbolic Meaning of Problems
- Symbolism for Guidance
- Symbolism For Saints
- Symbolism Of Stones
- Tapuat Symbol Meaning
- The Fallen Angels
- Tree Symbolism And Meaning
- Triangle Meaning
- Triskelion Meaning
- Tuatha De Danann Symbolism
- Twins Meaning
- Unalome Symbolism
- Undines Symbolism
- Unicorn Symbolism
- Water Symbolism
- Wind Symbolic Meaning
- Winter
- Wisteria Meaning
- Wolf Medicine
- Yantra Mandala Symbolism
- Yew Tree
- Zigzag Symbolic Meaning
- Zombie Legend
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