What Is Symbolism? | Definition & Examples
Symbolism involves using a word or object to represent something beyond its literal meaning. For example, a light bulb is an electric device that can also stand for sudden insight or innovation.
We encounter symbolism in various aspects of life, including literature, art, and everyday experiences.
What is symbolism?
Symbolism is a literary device in which a writer uses one thing to represent another (usually a more abstract concept). In prose and poetry, symbolism can help provide a deeper meaning to a text.
Symbols can be universal and easy to identify (like Yorick’s skull, which symbolizes death in Shakespeare’s Hamlet) or more subtle, without any predetermined meaning. In this case, they get their meaning only as parts of a specific story. For example, in the movie Citizen Kane, the protagonist’s childhood sled (named “Rosebud”), is a symbol of the happiness and innocence he lost along the way. However, in contrast to a skull, this meaning is particular to the context.
Symbolism is not only found in art and literature. Symbolism helps us navigate our environments (e.g., a red light means “stop”) or convey complex ideas (e.g., a flag represents a specific country).
How is symbolism used in writing
Symbolism is a versatile tool that adds complexity to literary works. It allows authors to communicate abstract ideas, paint vivid images, and engage with readers on a deeper level.
Symbolism can be used to:
Build themes
Symbols often tend to recur in stories, becoming motifs and reinforcing the central themes of a literary work.
Create imagery
Because symbolism relies on images, it makes descriptions more memorable and evocative.
Define characters
Symbols can represent the development of a character or mirror their traits.
Convey abstract ideas
Writers use symbolism to provoke thought and express ideas that may be too complicated to express through words.
Symbolism examples
Flowers, animals, and colors carry various symbolic meanings depending on cultural, religious, and literary contexts. Interpretations may also vary based on personal experiences or preferences.
Flower symbolism
Below is a table listing the symbolic meanings associated with various flowers.
| Flower | Symbolic meaning |
|---|---|
| rose | love, passion, beauty |
| sunflower | longevity, happiness, good fortune |
| daisy | innocence, loyalty, simplicity |
| lily | affection, purity, fertility, renewal, rebirth |
Animal symbolism
Below is a table listing the symbolic meanings associated with various animals.
| Animal | Symbolic meaning |
|---|---|
| dragonfly | change, self-realization |
| hummingbird | joy, good luck |
| owl | wisdom, intelligence |
| snake | transformation/rebirth, health, death, destruction, evil |
| crow/raven | magic, mystery, transformation, death/the afterlife |
| moth | vulnerability, transformation, the soul |
| hawk | clarity, intuition, freedom/independence, power |
Color symbolism
Below is a table listing the symbolic meanings associated with various colors.
| Color | Symbolic meaning |
|---|---|
| red | passion/love and anger, good luck and prosperity, danger/warning |
| yellow | energy, warmth, optimism, cowardice, envy, royalty |
| green | nature, freshness, paradise, envy, prosperity, and goodness |
| blue | serenity, stability, spirituality, and melancholy |
| white | hope, purity, cleanliness, innocence, simplicity, optimism |
Frequently asked questions about symbolism
- What is the difference between symbolism and metaphor?
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Symbolism and metaphor are easy to confuse. However, they are distinct literary devices.
- Symbolism relies on symbols (objects, persons, or situations) to represent abstract ideas or concepts. A strong symbol is usually related to whatever it is meant to symbolize and often recurs throughout a literary work as a major part of the theme. For example, the raven in Edgar Allan Poe’s eponymous poem symbolizes the narrator’s grief.
- A metaphor, on the other hand, compares two seemingly unrelated things, stating that one thing is another. Metaphors are often brief, like the phrase “Time is a thief.” The purpose is to create vivid imagery, exaggerate a trait, or express a complex idea.
In short, while both symbolism and metaphor involve using one thing to represent another, symbolism relies on recurring symbols to convey deeper meanings, whereas metaphors make a direct comparison to highlight a specific idea.
- What is the difference between allegory and symbolism?
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Allegory and symbolism are related literary devices, but they should not be confused.
- An allegory is a narrative that can be understood both literally and figuratively. It is a complete story that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning. An allegory employs symbols and metaphors to convey a deeper moral or philosophical concept.
- Symbolism, on the other hand, is the use of words, images, or objects in a text to represent a concept or idea. Symbols are often more open to interpretation and may have multiple meanings.
For example, Plato’s allegory “The Cave” illustrates the philosopher’s journey from ignorance to wisdom. To convey this abstract idea, Plato uses symbols like the cave (the world of illusion), the light (knowledge), and the chains (the senses).
In other words, an allegory encompasses an entire text, whereas symbolism uses symbols that contribute to the overall meaning of a text.
- What is an example of symbolism in literature?
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An example of symbolism in literature is the recurrence of the blood image in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, symbolizing guilt and violence.
For example, in Act 2 Scene 2, Macbeth, shocked by the murder he committed, believes his hand has been irreversibly bloodstained. Similarly, in Act 5, Scene 1, Lady Macbeth becomes delusional from guilt and sees a bloodstain on her hand.
