1720

ESL 21a

Essay 1.2

814 words

Different Function of Symbols In Our Daily life

A symbol, in general, is something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. Could be a sign or object that represents something else with a short and simple method. You could notice many things relate to symbol everyday no matter in the field of study, medical or sport.

First of all, symbol can be used to represent some ideas, concepts, or other abstractions. This is important to know because when we see a symbol we now know that there is a meaning behind what is actually being shown since a symbol is "a visible sign of something invisible. Some symbols which are used in map to denote places of interest, then people could easily find out the detail of those place, which are placed in simply and convenient order. Also, symbols are important to all drivers, there will be tons of symbols in the street to indicate the circumstances of the road. A simply symbol could represent a long meaning in order to save time to let the drives easily know what are going on. And some symbols such as crossed sabers to indicate a battlefield, and the red cross used to represent medical.

Sometimes, objects and animals could symbolize some other things too. Such as the bear, it symbolizes man and stands for strength and courage, eagle is a symbol of strength, an eagle shown perched in a pine-tree is a suitable gift for an older man, wishing him strength of an Eagle and longevity of a pine-tree. Horse is a symbol of strength and speed. 8 horses in a painting represent the famous horses of King Mu from the 10th century BC. Moreover, individuals in positions of authority are associated with particular objects that become symbols of the office they hold. Such as a crown, or imperial regalia, which the officeholder alone may put on. In ancient China, yellow is the symbol of the king , then change in little by little it represent the a person's power and influence.

Moreover, a symbol is not only indicate another things, but also use in commercial purposeGood! or to launch a campaign of publicity for something. Corporations or organizations like to use symbol to represent themselves to attract public attention. People are used to memorize picture easier than memorize a line of words. Then they could make use of the symbol to earn more money. For example, Mcdonald are spread all over the world, wherever people notice the trademark symbol of "M", they will immediately associate with the delicious food of Mcdonald in thinking and go to buy their food. There are many organizations love to use symbol to propagandize some messages, such as a symbol " " in pink color represent a message of preventing AIDS and helping AIDS patient. No matter where people notice this symbol, they will start to consider to give those poor people a hand, not to discriminate against them but take account of them.

Not a picture of symbol could represent something, but could be some action or culture???. Eating is a metaphor that is sometimes used to signify marriage. In many New Guinea societies, like that of the Lesu on the island of New Ireland in the Pacific and that of the Troriand Islanders, marriage is symbolized by the couple's eating together for the first time. Eating symbolized their new status as a married couple. In U.S. society, it is just the reverse. A couple may go out to dinner on a first date. Different countries have different meaning in symbol.

Symbolism is important because " the human mind comprehends ideas better when they are expressed in visual and auditory symbols". Abstract ideas such as fear, hope, values, and goals are easier to feel and understand when there are gods, objects, and rituals to connect them with. In the ancient Roman religion, Venus was both a goddess and a symbol of love. In Chinese, red is a symbol of lucky. Such as people love to use the symbol of " " instead the word "I LOVE U". Because a symbol is a figure of something intellectual, moral or spiritual, a visible object representing to the mind the semblance of something which is not shown but realized by association with it.

There are a Masonic writer, Carl Claudy, mentions that there are secrets inside secrets in symbolism. He "cut through the outer she; and find a meaning; cut through that meaning and find another; under it if you dig deep enough you may find a third, a fourth - who shall say how many teachings?" Since symbol is somehow mysterious , but it has already become an important part of our life. The symbols are not used in the commonly accepting meaning, but it is one of suggestions or association in thought. Sometimes it is more important than words.