SYMBOL SUMMARY

THE POWER OF A SYMBOL

Symbols are splendid, richer than mere signs
Symbols create greater meaning and offer a deeper understanding

ELEMENTS OF A SYMBOL
1

A symbol has tangible elements

2

Symbols are mysterious bring together visible and invisible features
Symbols point to a reality
Symbols can reveal a relationship
Symbols work on both conscious and unconscious levels

3

Symbols connect you to the past

4

Symbols locate you in the present

5

Symbols evoke a response and orientate you towards the future
Symbols can direct our thoughts, desires and actions

INTRODUCTION

1.1
SYMBOLS ARE SPLENDID

A Symbol is a far richer idea than a mere sign. On the wide range of communication devices available to human kind symbols have a privileged place.

They can convey multiple meanings. They have power to evoke deep human responses and they are crucial to the life of a religion.

Symbols have the amazing capacity to convey more than one possible meaning.

They can stimulate the mind into productive thought and give rise to endless exegesis. No concept can exhaust the requirement of further thinking borne by symbols.

1.2
SYMBOLS ARE MYSTERIOUS

A symbol also has elusive, mysterious dimensions.

Symbols are everywhere. The realm in which a symbol works is universal; it is as extensive as human life and history. Poets, preachers, advertisers and agencies all use symbols to convince their audience of the truth of their subject matter. Symbols are wide ranging in their scope and have the ability to engage obscure elements.

SYMBOLS ARE RICHER THAN MERE SIGNS

2.1   

 CONVENTIONAL SIGNS             RICH SYMBOLS
Math and travel signs     Dreams, narratives, religious imagery  
Signs are a single referent that gives information. like a direction.   Signs are extremely simple and clear.   Signs given one message.   Signs are physical objects, events or human actions which point beyond them selves.     EXAMPLE: Traffic sign   Symbols emerge from the drama of human experience.   Symbols are ambiguous.   Symbols create a greater meaning that lead to a deeper understanding.             EXAMPLE: The flag of a country operates as a symbol because it more directly participates in the historical identity, honour and dignity of a nation.  

  

2.2
A SIGN CAN BECOME A SYMBOL. IT CAN GAIN DEEPER MEANING

EXAMPLE: Road-sign – Marysville 30 K

A Road Sign Becomes A Symbol.

Part A. -Mere Sign

A road sign that viewed by a traveller might simply say:

Marysville 30 K

The meaning of the sign is a single referent: the distance to the town.

Part B. The New Meaning Offered

After a tragic bushfire and loss of life in the town of Marysville the relatives of the deceased might see the metallic signpost on the side of the road as a sad reminder of the catastrophic day.

Part C. The Road Sign As A Symbol

The Marysville 30 K sign has now become a powerful symbol:

  • an image that has power to evoke deep responses
  • a symbol works on both conscious and unconscious levels

    
The road sign <symbol> may link a person to a past event – a bushfire. It might orient people to a present reality – the ongoing loss of a loved one. It points to the future – the fire safe plans and memorial anniversaries

When a symbol powerfully works the tangible element< metal sign> is given a deeper meaning.

ANCIENT ORIGINS OF A SYMBOL
– Things thrown together

3.1
A SYMBOL – things “thrown or placed together”

The Greek word symballein means to ‘throw or place something together’. It is seen in the two halves of a broken coin. Only when the two sections are placed together is the coin worth anything. In the ancient world a contract or agreement for a sale of land might be sealed with a coin broken and given to each party as a “symbol” of the deal.

3.2

In its Greek noun form a symbol could be made of two matching parts of a ring, staff, tablet or coin that was joined together to form a unity.

The holder of each part could verify the identity or legitimacy of the holder of the other part. There is a complementary component to the symbol; each person is connected by the matching part.

The symbol revealed the deal, the relationship or the arrangement.

3.3

The Greeks also had a custom of writing the names of friends on a shard or fragment of pottery. When the friends had to leave each other the piece was broken and each would take their “symbol.” When they united years later the re-joining of the shards of pottery and fitting them perfectly together confirmed their friendship.

Symbols bring together visible and invisible elements.

IMAGE FOR THE UNIT
The Ancient Practice Of Loved Ones Sharing Half A Broken Coin.

Half the coin Tangible element     Half the coin THE DEEPER MEANING OF THE SYMBOL
THE RELATIONSHIP THAT IS SIGNIFIED WHEN THE COINS ARE JOINED      

THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF A SYMBOL
 <LOCATED ON A CROSS>

  Mystery <north>  
Past connection <west> Tangible/Meaning <centre> Future orientation <east>
    Present location <south>  

4.1 <CENTRE>
SYMBOLS HAVE TANGIABLE ELEMENTS

A symbol has material, tangible elements. A symbol is something that can be seen, heard, tasted or felt by the human senses.

4.2 <NORTH>
SYMBOLS HAVE MYSTERIOUS ELEMENTS

They point to a reality, reveal a relationship and work on different levels of the psyche. Symbolic power is elusive and mysterious in its reach.

4.3 <EAST>
SYMBOLS CONNECT WITH THE PAST

Part of the dominance of a symbol is its ability to connect, to transport, to offer deep meaning. The trans-historical power of a symbol gives is a special quality.

A symbol can connect you with the past and can link you with a past community.

(The Last Post On Anzac Day)

4.4 <SOUTH>
SYMBOLS LOCATE YOU IN THE PRESENT

A symbol firmly grounds you in the present event. It bonds you to a current group, to a present happening. The power of a symbol is found in its immediate relevance. Symbolic events never fade from memory. We remember where we were, what time and the details of the day: symbols ground us in the present experience.

(The Birthday Cake)

4.5 <EAST>
SYMBOLS ORIENT YOU TO THE FUTURE

A symbol orients you, and your group to the future.

(The Olympic Flame Being Run Through A Town)
(The Premiership Trophy)

The Australian Flag as Symbol

Symbols can connect to past events – Gallipoli landing of Anzacs

Symbols can firmly fix a person in the present – A memorial gathering

Symbols can orient us to the future –  The quest for world peace

EXPLANATION

4.1 <CENTRE>
SYMBOLS HAVE TANGIABLE ELEMENTS

A symbol has material, tangible elements. A symbol is something that can be seen, heard, tasted or felt by the human senses. This tangible element must be linked with deeper meaning for it to become a powerful symbol.

EXAMPLE:
The sign on the roadside, a flag, a crucifix, a School crest.

4.2 <NORTH>
SYMBOLS HAVE MYSTERIOUS ELEMENTS:

A. THEY MYSTERIOUSLY POINT TO A REALITY

EXAMPLE:
A photograph of a beautiful young woman would be an image of her to everyone. It would be an accurate likeness of her features and be clear enough for her relatives and friends to recognize her from the shot.
To her fiancé, miles away on an extended business trip or military placement, the image becomes a symbol. By gazing at her likeness             lovingly, she becomes present to him. The photo, a material image, becomes a symbol of her presence. It connects him to their past story, locates him in the present time of separation and prompts his desire for the future reunion upon his return. He kisses the photo. It is a symbol of their love for each other.

A symbol can point to the reality of a couple’s love.

B THEY MYSTERIOUSLY REVEAL A RELATIONSHIP

The mystery of a symbol is that it can speak to the relationship and revive the bond that forms the association. The wedding ring is a symbol of a pledge of love and a symbol of that ongoing commitment through the years.

C THEY MYSTERIOUSLY WORK ON DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE PSYCHE

A symbol can work on both conscious and unconscious levels.

We can be well aware of the power of a symbol and recognize its impact upon our lives. We can also be surprised by the impact that a strong symbol can have upon us. A symbol can catch us unaware and elicit tears of sadness or shouts of joy.

Symbols have the power to disarm our guard and startle our stance.

Symbols can operate on several dimensions of the psyche:
We can note three levels:

  • Cognitive level – concerning the process of knowing or receiving.<Cognitive Symbols- e=mc2, a text message, time of a meeting>
  • Conative level-The conative powers of the self strengthen the will. It is connected to drive and ambition.
    <Conative Symbols – Premiership Cup, an academic achievement, a goal attained
  • Affective level – Expressing emotion or feeling
    <Affective Symbols- Valentines Day flowers, hearts and hugs>

EXAMPLE:
A RELATIVE LOOKING AT A SIGN POST TO MARYSVILLE

  • Cognitive level – A clear recall of the bushfire news story that day.
  • Conative level – A determination to lobby government for safer bushfire warnings
  • Affective level – A deeply felt loss for the loved ones who perished

4.3 <EAST>
SYMBOLS CONNECT WITH THE PAST

Part of the dominance of a symbol is its ability to connect, to transport, to offer deep meaning. The trans-historical power of a symbol gives is a special quality.

A symbol can connect you with the past– it can connect you with a past community

(The Last Post On Anzac Day)

4.4 <SOUTH>
SYMBOLS LOCATE YOU IN THE PRESENT

A symbol firmly grounds you in the present. It bonds you to a current group, to a present event.

(The Birthday Cake)

4.5 <EAST>
SYMBOLS ORIENT YOU TO THE FUTURE

Powerful symbols can evoke a response. A workable definition of a symbol suggests it is an image that has power to evoke deep responses in a person or group. It is a complex of gestures, sounds images and/or words that evoke < or invite or persuade> a participation by the person in what is referred to.

SYMBOL SUMMARY

5.1

THE POWER OF A SYMBOL

Symbols are splendid

Symbols are richer than mere signs

Symbols create greater meaning, which offers deeper understanding

ELEMENTS OF A SYMBOL

1

A symbol has tangible elements

2

Symbols are mysterious bring together visible and invisible features
Symbols point to a reality
Symbols can reveal a relationship

3

Symbols connect you to the past

4

Symbols locate you in the present

5

Symbols evoke a response and orientate you towards the futureSymbols can direct our thoughts, desires and actions