SYMBOLISM What is it Why use it The

SYMBOLISM What is it ? Why use it ? The Symbolism Challenge! 10 F ELA - K. Warkentine All information from: umich. edu All photos by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

What is Symbolism? ? ? § Symbolism is when an object/animal/number/colour takes on meaning that once understood adds a deeper understanding to that reference. § Symbols can have positive and negative meanings § Symbolic meanings comes from many different sources: § § § Historical Events Classic Literature Mythology The Bible Cultural Traditions

Why use symbols? § § To strengthen creative writing with figurative language a writer should have a good knowledge of symbols and their meanings. When we understand the context of a symbol we can understand better why the writer would use that symbol in building a metaphor with that animal/object. Eg: “My friend is such a bear. ” (Is that good or bad? ? ? )

The Symbolism Challenge! § § For each of these questions challenge yourself to see if you know which symbol is the answer. The symbolic explanation slides follows each question slide. For each explanation start your own Symbolism Dictionary to note details of the multiple symbolic meanings. Simplify some of the long statements/examples for your notes, but make sure it’s understandable for you.

1 Which object is a symbol for love? Rose or Diamond

1. The Rose! § In mythology, the first red roses are said to have arisen from the blood of Adonis for the love of Aphrodite; thus, they have become symbolic of love, and often resurrection. § In Christian symbolism, the red rose stands for the blood shed by Jesus on the cross; it has also become a symbol for earthly love, a tradition which continues today. § The Rose is beauty and perfection, happiness and grace, yet it is also sensuality and seduction.

The Diamond § Diamond’s hardness makes this precious stone an appropriate symbol for durability and constancy; § Diamond’s clarity yields the notions of constancy, sincerity, and innocence. § The diamond is an emblem of purity and perfection § The diamond is the stone of commitment, faithfulness, and promise between husband wife. § The diamond is a symbol of light and brilliance; unconquerable; treasures, riches, intellectual knowledge.

2 Which of these animals is a symbol for Christian virtues? Dog or Bee

2. The Bee! In Christian tradition bees are a symbol of Christ because § of his forgiveness (through analogy with the sweetness of his honey), § with justice (through its sting), § Christian virtues (because of the exemplary way worker bees behave towards their queen)

Dog § The dog is symbolically associated with loyalty and vigilance, often acting as guardian and protector. § Dogs are portrayed as guides and companions, hence the notion of "man's best friend. " § While rarely negative symbols, they do have some unfavorable characteristics. Dogs can be a depraved animal and curse their enemies. 'Sick as a dog' came from the notion that they return to their vomit § Dogs also are associated with scavenger, envy, flattery, fury, war, greed, pitiless, bragging and folly. Shakespeare often use dogs as a negative symbol.

3 Which of these colours is a symbol for cowardice (acting like a coward)? Blue or Yellow

3. Y E L L O W ! ! ! Yellow has multiple negative symbolic meanings § Yellow can also be a sign of cowardice, betrayal, and/or jealousy § Insects that bear yellow and black stripes are often poisonous, or attempting to mimic another poisonous insect § Yellow can be seen as a warning, and/or protection § In medical terms, a yellow flag means quarantine.

BLUE § Blue is the color most often associated with issues of the spirit and intellect. § Blue is the color of sky and heaven, also having strong connections with nearly all forms of water; for this reason it can have feminine, cool, and reflective qualities. § Blue’s link to the sky also connotes eternity and immensity, time and space. Blue may be truth (no clouds to hide it) and transparency; § Blue is linked to loyalty, fidelity, constancy, and chastity. Many babies are born with blue eyes, thus innocence and purity can be attributed to the color. § In Psychology, according to Jung, blue is the opposite of red, and enlarges a room but adds coldness.

4 Which object is a symbol of perfection? Pearl or Train

4. The Pearl! § § The pearl is a symbol of perfection and incorruptibility The pearl is a symbol of long life and fertility Since the pearl is buried within the oyster shell, the pearl represents hidden knowledge Many eastern philosophies (Buddhism, Taoism, Hindu) relate the "flaming pearl" to wisdom and spiritual awareness.

The Train The train symbolizes: § Social life(grouping together for the trip) § Destiny (arriving at the final destination) § Journey (the trip of life) § Fatalism (which means if something is going to happen…it will and can’t be stopped)

5 Which animal is a symbol of moral virtues? Unicorn or Whale

5. The Unicorn !!! The unicorn is a fabled creature, a horse with a spiraled horn § In Greek history, that horn was said to have healing powers § The unicorn became a symbol of purity and strength § The unicorn is an emblem of moral virtues.

Whale As is exemplified in the Biblical story of Jonah, the belly of the whale is a realm of death and rebirth § Emerging from a whale is initiation into a new life, or resurrection. § In Christianity, the whale is the devil, its jaws can be the gates of hell and its belly can be hell itself. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12: 40). §

6 Which number represents perfection? 1 or 5

F I V E 5! § The number five is exceedingly important in terms of its symbolic qualities. § It represents human perfection, because a man with outstretched arms and legs forms a pentagon with the head "dominating the four limbs, just as the spirit commands the quaternary of elements" (Julien, 155). § There are five senses, five fingers per hand five toes per foot; § The five-pointed star, pointing upwards, symbolizes individuality and spiritual aspiration. When it points downwards, it represents witchcraft and black magic. § 5 in nature are the four cardinal directions (NSEW) plus the middle.

O N E 1! § A point is ONE on the verge of generating everything. § The number 1 symbolizes § § human erect, a standing stone, pillar, a vertical stick.

Which animal best represents yourself? Bird Horse Lion

HORSE § The horse can represent intelligence. § In dreams, the black horse of death and destruction is synonymous with misery § The horse is also thought of as a mediator between heaven and earth; Centaurs are wind gods. § The horse is a highly sacred animal, considered a taboo to eat its meat. § The horse is associated with many aspects of war, especially in the Greek tradition. § Colors of the horse can also add to its meaning: § White - omen of death but also innocence and divinity; § Black - famine; § Red - war; § Grey - devil.

BIRD § In most traditions, birds have a predominantly positive connotation. Said St. Hildegard of Bingen in her Liber de Subtilitatum, "Birds symbolize the power that helps people to speak reflectively and leads them to think out many things in advance before they take action. § Just as birds are lifted up into the air by their feathers and can remain wherever they wish, the soul in the body is elevated by thought and spreads its wings everywhere. “ § The bird represents the human desire to escape gravity, to reach the level of the angel. § The bird is often the disembodied human soul, free of its physical constrictions. § In Egypt, birds with human heads are dominant characters and they are seen leaving the mouths of the dying. § In FAIRY TALES, those who understand the language of the bird are often able to attain special knowledge, and people are often transformed into birds.

L ION § The lion is a very diverse symbol. Its most common traits are: majesty, strength, courage, justice, and military might. § The lion is a symbol of kingly power and might as “The King of the beasts” § In a Christian context, the lion can be the power and might of Christ, or the open jaws of Satan. § Greek myth links Heracles and his epic wrestling match with a supernatural lion, which no earthly weapon could harm. In this context the lion is death, beaten by Hercules. After killing the lion with his bare hands, Heracles wore its skin as a sort of armor. § The Lion relates to almost any proud, courageous characteristic. In psychology, the wild lion is the type of the latent passions, the dangers of the Unconscious.

Your Symbol: § § So which animal is closest to your personality? Horse, Bird, Lion What qualities from the different meanings of that animal connect with your style? Find a picture of that animal (bird, horse, lion) that is a good representation of you (eg: animal relaxing vs animal jumping) Start a word document for your continuing symbolism assignment to submit by the end of the week.