Symbolism

A symbol is something that represents something else, either by association or by resemblance. It can be a material object or a written sign used to represent something invisible.
Language itself is a system of spoken or written symbols by which we communicate. Every word is a symbol; the five letters that form the word 'chair' represent a sound as well as a physical object.
In writing, symbolism is the use of a word, a phrase, or a description, which represents a deeper meaning than the words themselves. This kind of extension of meaning can transform the written word into a very powerful instrument.
On this page we'll first describe some common types of symbols that illustrate how symbols can be used, and then we'll show you how symbolism is used in writing with some familiar examples.

Religious Symbolism
Religious symbolism is the use of text, images, procedures, or actual physical objects to represent an idea or belief. The most common example is the use of objects to symbolize the faith itself, as in the use of a cross to represent Christianity, or the Star of David to represent Judaism.

There are many more symbols used in religion. For example, in Christianity the sacraments (holy communion, baptism, ordination and marriage) are symbols of spiritual change in the participants. In communion, the bread and wine are symbolic of the body and shed blood of Jesus, which are themselves also symbolic of the salvation of the recipient.
Other Christian symbols include the dove (symbolic of the Holy Spirit), and the sacrificial lamb (symbolic of Christ's sacrifice).
Mathematical Symbolism
Symbols used in mathematics can represent numbers, operations, sets, or many other things. This is perhaps the simplest kind of symbolism. Some common mathematical symbols include+for the operation of addition, or pi for the transcendental number 3.14159... , and a host of others. You can see a list of the most widely used ones here.
Political Symbolism
Political symbolism is often used to represent a political standpoint. It can take the form of banners, acronyms, pictures, flags, mottos, and many other things.


For example, the Canadian flag contains a maple leaf, which has long been a symbol of things Canadian. The two bars represent both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans which bound the country on either side, and the two founding cultures, English and French.

The mid-20th century German Nazi Party made extensive use of graphic symbols. These included the swastika, the eagle, the iron cross, and the dual lightning bolts (the symbol of the SS) pictured at the left.

It should be obvious from these two examples that symbols can also evoke strong emotions, be they feelings of patriotism, as in the case of a flag, or anger, hatred and fear in the case of Nazi symbolism.
Colour Symbolism
Simple colours can also be symbolic, depending on your location, or the context in which they are used. Red, white and blue are symbolic of all things American. Green has come to represent anything which is environmentally friendly.
Colours can represent different things depending on where you live. For example, in Asian countries, red symbolizes happiness, marriage, and prosperity; in some countries the colour of mourning is white.
Architectural Symbolism


The design of some buildings is meant to be symbolic. The building in the picture at the right is the CanadianWarMuseum. The front of the building represents the bow of ship, symbolizing our navies and the role they played in wartime.
The windows on the this roof are also symbolism, albeit in a more subtle form; they spell out, in Morse Code, the English and French phrases "Lest we forget" and "N'oublions jamais".

Advertising Symbolism
Just as in any media, symbolism is used extensively in advertising. A good example, with which you are certainly familiar, is the use of actors dressed in white lab coats who are discussing the merits of a product in a laboratory setting. These symbols of the medical profession are meant to imply that the product has been approved by and has the support of doctors or medical scientists.
Symbolism in Writing
In literature, symbolism is used to provide meaning to the writing beyond what is actually being described. The plot and action that take place in a story can be thought of as one level, while the symbolism of certain things in the writing act on another level to enhance the story.
Symbolism can take place by having the theme of a story represented on a physical level. A simple example might be the occurrence of a storm at at critical point, when there is conflict or high emotions. The storm might symbolize these. Similarly a transition from day to night, or spring to winter, could symbolize a move from goodness to evil, or hope to despair. A river in a scene could represent the flow of life, from birth to death. Flowers can symbolize youth or beauty.
Not everything in a story is necessarily symbolic. A garden landscape is just a garden ... until it is contrasted with a bustling city, at which point the garden could symbolize tranquility, peace, or escape.
Let's look at some actual examples of symbolism used in literature and other media, with which you might be familiar.

  • In Citizen Kane, a child's sled symbolizes the lost innocence of childhood ... although you don't realize this until the end of the movie.
  • In the novel Animal Farm, the entire story is a symbol for the evils of communism, with the main animal characters representing key figures in the Russian revolution. The novel can be read entirely as a children's story, but when you come to realize what the various elements and characters in the story symbolize, the novel takes on a whole new meaning. That's why this particular work has become such a classic. This kind of story is called an allegory.
  • In The Lord of the Flies, Ralph with his conch shell represents order and democracy, while Jack symbolizes savagery and anarchy. The island itself symbolizes the world in which we live, and the actions of the characters are symbolic of the way different people conduct their lives. The beast represents the darker side of human nature.
  • The movie series Star Wars has been described as symbolic of faith and religion in our world overcoming evil.
  • The song I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack is full of symbolism. The song isn't really about dancing at all ... dancing is a symbol for getting the most out of life. When she sings '"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance", the mountains symbolize our fears about the future, or obstacles in life we must overcome.
  • The play MacBeth by William Shakespeare uses blood, both real and imagined, as a symbol of guilt, both of MacBeth and Lady MacBeth. Another symbol used in the play is a raven, which usually represents ill fortune.
  • The Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling could be seen as containing a lot of symbolism, although there are as many interpretations as there are creatures in the books! (The author isn't saying). One clear example is a commonly used one; the use of a snake to represent evil. It is no coincidence that the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent.

Using symbolism in a story you write can be as simple as inserting something into the story that symbolizes what's happening in the plot (as in the example of the storm, mentioned above). But while this kind of symbolism is easy to incorporate into your writing, it's not very subtle, and overusing it can turn a good story into a series of way-too-obvious clichés.
A better approach is to plan the symbolism you intend to use ahead of time, so that it becomes an integral part of the writing, instead of an obvious add-in. For example, if you were writing a story about how an old man suffering from a terminal disease lives out the last few months of his life, you might make the setting of your story autumn in a city, where the onset of winter has obvious (and not very pleasant) effects on the surroundings. The cold winds, shortening days, and lowering temperatures all could symbolize the drawing to a close of the man's life.

When learning to write well, it is important to read a lot. Read short stories, novels, and classic works of literature. The more you read, the better able you will be to create something unique of your own; this is especially true when learning to use symbolism. It also helps to have someone explain the symbolism in what you're reading. That's where your English teacher can help.

Language Arts | Worsley School