| Symbols are pictures, objects, sounds, written words or something like that and imply ideas, thoughts, notions, feelings and beliefs. Some symbols are very common, like white rectangle on the red background signifying “Stop”, others have particular meaning and provoke deep emotions. For example, such symbols are the crucifix in Christianity or Judaic Star of David.
We're surrounded by symbols. Every day we face with something that has a symbolic sense. You will see symbols on money, in books, music compositions, commercials, politics and so forth. To realize the significance of a symbol a person should know what this symbol stands for. For instance, the Chinese symbol of yin and yang looks like an amusing picture with white and black colors for people that do not know the secret significance of this sign. They can enjoy its design, but they don't see more than that. On the contrary, if a person knows the origin of the symbol he sees not a simple image, but an idea of deep intercommunication of things in our living.
During the whole history of humankind symbols were vastly used in art. This way, one item on a painting can speak volumes about the situation, the ideas of the painter, his views on life and aspirations. To understand the secret significance of a music composition or a book we should pay special attention to details. Sometimes we have to read critics on a certain work of art in order to get the idea of the author. This is due to the complication of the language of symbols.
So what are the most popular symbols in art and what do they signify?
Amongst the most common symbols applied in pieces of art are books, candles, clocks and mirrors. A book generally implies transmitting of knowledge and learning. If you see a lightened candle on a picture it's in the majority of cases a symbol of faith in God or time passing. From the other side, an extinguished candle refers to mourning and death. A clock refers to the time passing. On this point the world-famous painting of Salvador Dali known as “Melting clocks” signifies an idea that nothing in our life complies with some rules. And finally, a mirror signifies efforts to find the truth, but in some cases it just stands for the vanity.
This way, symbols are everywhere around us. We just need to pay a little more attention to details to see them. |
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