Meaning of Symbol (What it is, Concept and Definition) - Meanings

Symbol Meaning

What is a Symbol:

A symbol is a sensible and nonverbal representation of a complex idea, and that results from a process of assimilation and synthesis of said idea in a culture. This sensitive representation can be a graphic, visual, auditory, or figurative element. Therefore, a symbol arises from a process of conventionalization of a concept, and the way of expressing it is different from verbal language.

The word derives from the Latin term simbŏlum, and this comes from the Greek σύμβολον (symbolon). It is formed from the root sin, which means 'with', 'together' or 'joined', and from ballein, which means 'throw'. Therefore, in an etymological sense, a symbol is that which is launched to unite.

This means that around a symbol there is a social convention that allows all actors to give the same meaning to the symbol.

In a figurative sense, it is said that when a person has consolidated great influence in the social environment, he becomes a symbol. For example: "The singer Madonna is a symbol of modern femininity", a phrase attributed to the designer Donatella Versace.

function of symbols

The function of symbols is to convey complex or abstract meanings, the density of which is difficult to summarize in everyday language. For example, feelings, religious values, social values, numerical values, cultures, nationalities, ideologies, danger, and anti-values, among others.

They do not explain the concepts as language does, but they allow those concepts to be communicable and understandable, since they do not operate at the logical level but rather unconsciously and subconsciously.

Therefore, symbols allow us to mediate between the visible and the invisible, the concrete and the abstract. The symbol also has a unifying force, that is, it manages to synthesize various levels of meaning in a single element.

Because they facilitate the processes of understanding reality, symbols have educational and even therapeutic importance.

Finally, understanding the symbol allows the individual to recognize himself as belonging to a socio-cultural group.

Characteristics of the symbols

• They are part of the human way of existing;
• They are representative;
• They are indivisible;
• They are collective, not individual;
• They also have an aesthetic vocation;
• They are perceptible at the subconscious or unconscious level;
• They are significant.
• The effectiveness of a symbol depends on the validity of its use and meaning in a given culture. That is why it is possible:
  • forgetting the origin of a symbol but still carrying the meaning of the concept (for example, the symbol of medicine);
  • that the meaning of the symbol is transformed due to a change in historical conditions (for example, the swastika).

Symbol types

There are as many types of symbols as there are cultural expressions and social spheres of interaction. Thus, symbols can be classified according to their style, function, or scope of circulation. We can mention here some of the most widespread symbols that we find in Western culture.

graphic symbols

With graphic symbols, we refer to the characters that represent sounds or ideas, depending on the type of writing. In the case of alphabets, each character represents a sound.

There are other types of scripts in which each character represents concepts. For example, numbers, pictograms, hieroglyphs, ideograms, etc.

scientific symbols

It is a series of graphic representations of scientific notions that describe operations, abstractions, concepts, materials, etc. For example, international measurement system symbols (W, ºC, ºF, Hz), biology symbols (♀, ♂, RH-, RH+), geometric symbols (º, π), mathematical symbols (+, -, ÷, x).

A very clear example is chemical symbols. They are made up of letters and numbers that are used to represent chemical elements. For example, H₂O is the representation of the chemical composition of water, made up of two molecules of hydrogen (H) and one of oxygen (O).

religious symbols

It is about the whole universe of symbols, which vary according to the confession. They serve to identify each religious community, as well as to communicate complex concepts and facilitate the spiritual experience.

In Christianity, common symbols are the Latin cross, the fish, the dove, the Chrismon or monogram of Christ (XP), the monogram of the Virgin Mary (MA), etc.

In Judaism, the Star of David, the menorah (candelabrum with seven branches), the yarmulke is worn by men, etc. are essential.

In Islam, the symbol of the crescent, the Jihad flag, and the eight-pointed star or Solomon's star, among others, are essential.

Patriotic symbols or national symbols

It refers to the repertoire of visual or auditory signs that express the concept and values ​​of a given nation. Among them are mainly the flags, the anthems, and the shields.

brand symbols

Today, thanks to the market culture, there is a great profusion of brands. Each brand designs and disseminates a symbol that identifies it to effectively convey the origin, quality, and guarantee of the product.

The symbols used by a mark include:

• logos,
• logos inserted in geometric figures,
• logo symbols,
• monograms and
• pictograms.

Difference between symbol, sign, and icon

Symbols are visual or auditory representations that do not bear a resemblance relationship with the idea to represent, but rather a conceptual and metaphorical relationship. For example, the anti-war symbol is known as a symbol of peace, the symbol of justice, heart as a symbol of love, etc.

The signs are strictly graphic that delimits ideas in concrete, direct, and immediate ways. Therefore, the sign is utilitarian and subject to control. For example, the words.

An icon is an image that directly represents the meaning to be conveyed. That is the image that pretends to be analogous to its meaning. For example, emoticons, icons of sacred characters, etc.

 

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