Symbolism

Symbols, as such, represent ideas. They can be abstract ideas, so in a sense they can simplify.  But, they also can be used to describe things hard to express, or things not fully known. They can also have several meanings.

A sun, for example, can symbolize the day, but it can also mean life and lots more. Symbols are means to express, and we should understand they have great influence on us.

It can be everything, a picture, a person (e.g. Martin Luther King), a sound (soundtracks can also represent something, can't they?), an object, and lots more. I have mentioned a symbol already, the sun. What is interesting is, there exists symbols that can be found all over the world, meaning the same or something similar, and even looking alike. There are probably more, but my example is the Swastika.

Now, some of you may say that is the symbol of the Nazis, from the times of the NS. What they did was terrible, but if anyone says they created the symbol: It is not. They used it and defiled it, but it is one of the oldest symbols of the world. Generally, it refers to the sun, but it can also be translated as everything positive. And the interesting part is it can be found anywhere, from Europe, to Asia, to Australia.

This mainly shows that, no matter where we come from, our minds think alike, and that symbolism is part of our thinking, no matter how we were raised.

If you think about it, letters are symbols. An example might be runes, which also have several meaning. Or, the Asian languages, like Chinese; they are pictures themselves. Well, interesting and all, but what does this have to do with us, you may ask now.

Now, think about it: aren't symbols a way we express ourselves, even how our minds work? They are used for influence; they can assimilate or reject; they can create and shatter. Symbols are structures our minds use.

"Yes, we can!"

Does that ring something? I am sure you have associated that with Barack Obama now. In a sense, he made that sentence into his symbol. And see how it worked? It may not be the only reason, but it is one of the reasons.

We should open our minds to find the symbols surrounding us every day. We normally do not see them, or rather do not notice. Symbols that influence us can be helpful, but they can also be used in a negative way. Whether we notice is up to ourselves. However, we should think about whether the symbol we follow is really worth following.