Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Symbolism is very common in literature, art, film, architecture and even day-to-day life. Writers and artists use symbolism to add deeper layers of meaning to their work, allowing readers to interpret them in different ways. Some key things to know about symbolism are that symbols can have multiple meanings, they require interpretation to understand, and the meaning depends on the context. Below are some common examples of symbolism across different mediums.
Examples of Symbolism in Literature
Literature makes extensive use of symbolism. Authors use it to amplify themes, add depth and complexity to characters, and allow readers to make connections on meaningful levels. Here are some classic symbolism examples from famous literary works:
| Literary Work | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway | The marlin | Perseverance and pride |
| The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald | The green light | Hope and longing for the future |
| Lord of the Flies by William Golding | Piggy’s glasses | Intellect and rational thinking |
| The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne | The scarlet letter ‘A’ | Adultery and alienation |
| The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka | Gregor’s transformation into an insect | Alienation from society |
Some other famous symbolic representations in literature include the white whale in Moby Dick, which symbolizes many different things like nature’s power and evil, the valley of ashes in The Great Gatsby representing moral decay, and the heart-shaped herb in Black Panther symbolizing connection to tradition and ancestry.
Examples of Symbolism in Art
Visual arts like painting and sculpture also make extensive use of symbolism. Artists use colors, objects, shapes and more to symbolize ideas, emotions, political stance and other meanings. Here are some prominent examples of symbolism in notable works of art:
| Artwork | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali | Melting clocks | The fleeting nature of time |
| Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer | The pearl earring | Wealth, purity and the girl’s innocence |
| American Gothic by Grant Wood | The pitchfork | Rural life and labor |
| The Kiss by Gustav Klimt | Intertwined gold and silver spirals | Unity of man and woman |
| Campbell’s Soup Cans by Andy Warhol | The soup cans | Consumerism and mass production |
Other iconic symbolic artworks include Van Gogh’s sunflowers representing life, Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits symbolizing her pain and identity, and the big brother poster in George Orwell’s 1984 symbolizing totalitarian surveillance.
Examples of Symbolism in Films
Symbolism is a key technique used in filmmaking. Movies use objects, sounds, colors, metaphors and more to convey symbolic meanings that add deeper significance to the story. Here are some classic examples from popular films:
| Film | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen Kane by Orson Welles | Rosebud | Protagonist’s lost childhood and innocence |
| The Wizard of Oz | Yellow brick road | The journey of life |
| Forrest Gump | The feather | Forrest’s destiny |
| Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock | The Bates mansion | Isolation and madness |
| The Godfather | The orange | Impending death |
Some other famous symbolic movie examples are the sled in Citizen Kane representing Rosebud, the ruby red slippers in The Wizard of Oz symbolizing home and family, the little boy’s shirt in Schindler’s List symbolizing innocence, and the lava lamp in Dumb and Dumber representing hope.
Examples of Symbolism in Architecture
Architecture makes use of shapes, materials, motifs and more to imbue symbolic significance to buildings. Here are some architectural examples that use symbolism:
| Building | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Mahal | White marble and minarets | Purity and ascendance to heaven |
| Sydney Opera House | Curving roof shells | Creativity and expression |
| Leaning Tower of Pisa | The leaning structure | The city’s struggle for power |
| Pentagon Building | The 5-sided shape | Unity and strength |
| Jefferson Memorial | Neoclassical dome structure | Democracy and reverence to Jefferson |
Other examples include the elongated vertical shape of skyscrapers symbolizing ambition and aspiration, Gothic spires symbolizing spiritual ascent, and Ancient Greek columns like Doric, Ionic and Corinthian representing wisdom, femininity and luxury respectively.
Examples of Symbolism in Culture
Cultures are full of symbolism. Objects, gestures, words, rituals and more have symbolic meanings in different cultures. Here are some examples:
| Culture | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Doves | Peace |
| Christians | The cross | Sacrifice and salvation |
| Chinese | Red color | Luck and happiness |
| Egyptians | The phoenix | Rebirth and immortality |
| Native Americans | Eagle feathers | Spirituality and honor |
Some other examples are the lotus symbolizing purity in Hinduism, the hamsa symbolizing protection from evil in Judaism, breaking plates symbolizing good luck in Greek culture, and giving flowers symbolizing gratitude in many cultures.
Examples of Symbolism in Everyday Life
Symbolism exists all around us in our day-to-day lives. Here are some prominent examples:
| Object/Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wedding rings | Marital union and commitment |
| Do not enter sign | Prohibition and restriction |
| Scales | Justice and balance |
| Yellow smiley face | Happiness and positivity |
| White dove | Peace |
Other everyday examples include red roses symbolizing romantic love, lit candles symbolizing remembrance, owls symbolizing wisdom, masks symbolizing concealment of identity, and the color black representing grief and loss in many cultures.
Conclusion
In summary, symbolism is using objects, words, colors, numbers and other representations to signify abstract ideas and concepts beyond their literal meanings. Writers, artists and creators across history have made extensive use of symbolism to add deeper layers of meaning to their works that resonate at a deeper level in our minds. Symbolism examples can be found everywhere – from literature and art, to films, architecture and everyday life. With symbolism, mundane physical forms can represent the greatest intangibles like love, honor, joy, hope, freedom and even the human experience itself.
