5277

ESL 21A

Essay 1.2

673 words

Symbolic Systems and Meaning

In our living life, a symbol is served with a significant function which works as a sign or object representing the physical characteristics and the meanings. There are some kinds of symbolic concepts such as metaphor which is used to represent another set of ideas, and metonym, similar to metaphor but the symbol in this case only stands for something else is one of the things that constitute the something else. Moreover, uncountable symbols are differently being represented and functioning in various arenas as well as in the world's traditional culture.

In food culture, the kind of food or the method of eating habit determines social units as well as the characteristics and meanings of one's own food culture. As an example, the nuclear family which is the unit that the family members usually have meal together, and in England, Sunday meal is only served for relatives and cocktail parties only for acquaintances. However, in some societies like New Guinea and America, the nuclear family is not the one who regularly eats together. There are also food prohibitions and rank by the kinds of food such high ranked people can only eat but then the lowly ranked people are not allowed to eat the high rank food. And in some societies particular foods are prohibited to eat because of the tradition of society in which eating the particular food is considered to cause the harm of the society such as disaster from their ancestors or their worshiped god. However, an object seems having the same title can stand for various meanings depending on different areas and characteristics of societies. .

When you drive on freeway or local, you always see the golden "M" arch which stands for McDonnell'sSpl, the symbol of success. One of the strategies of McDonald's corporation is spreading the company's franchises worldwide so everyone in the world can easily notice when they see the yellow M sign. And the corporation used the strongest side of the symbolical function that made the corporation one of the most successful companies. Not only McDonald's sign, a huge number of companies in this world are trying to invent unique symbols that can make consumers attracted and easily remembered by one sight. Today's aspect of business industry does not require good quality of products but a symbolical logo that may work the main part of the business.

In politics and empires, symbols are used to represent the absolute power and authority. As an example of showing combat between the united states and the former soviet union, when the United States and the former Soviet Union had the conflict in Cold War, political cartoonist used the eagle and the bear to portray the cold tension between the two countries. In addition to the symbolic meanings in politics and empires, the kinds of objects that king or queen hold represent their power and authority. The curved staffs of the pharaoh of Egypt and the crown of Queen Elizabeth of England symbolize each one's office. Sometimes, symbols are used politically used in some other areas as though it is not related to empires or governments. Such as the symbol for the racism back in the past decades, when African Americans were prohibited to seat in the front on the public bus and forced to seat in the back or not to enter certain restaurants. And in schools, groups of the same races are usually seen talking and standing together at lunch time. Symbols in politics are ultimately used to portray the main points of political matters and views.

Through generations, numerous symbols have been made and used to represent its symbolical meanings and physical characteristics. Because of using symbolic functions, our ancestors were well able to keep their traditions generation by generation. And also, we can represent ourselves and our society in various ways which also helps us understand the diversity of individualism and importance of unity. In these days, the functions of symbolism are still being served in various arenas of everyday life.