| Symbols are objects, pictures, written words, sounds or something else and signify thoughts, ideas, notions, feelings and beliefs. A number of them are commonly used, such as a white rectangle on the red background standing for “STOP”, others have special significance and evoke deep emotions. For instance, such symbols are the Judaic Star of David and the crucifix in Christianity.
We are surrounded by symbols. Every day we face something that has a symbolic meaning. You can find symbols on money, in music compositions, books, commercials, politics and so on. To realize the meaning of a symbol a person needs to know what this symbol signifies. For instance, the Chinese symbol of "yin" and "yang" seems an amusing picture with black and white colors for people who don't know the underlying meaning of this sign. They may enjoy its aesthetic side and design, but they do not see more than that. Quite the contrary, in case a person knows the origin of the symbol he sees not a simple image, but an idea of deep correlation of things in our life.
During the history of mankind symbols were widely used in art. In such a way, one item on a painting can tell volumes about the situation, the concepts of the painter, his views on life and aspirations. To understand the secret significance of a music composition or a book we should be very attentive to details. Every now and then we have to learn the specialists' point of view on a definite piece of art so as to get the idea of the author. This is because the symbols language is rather complicated.
So what are the most popular symbols in art and what do they imply?
Amongst the most common symbols used in pieces of art are a book, a candle, clocks and a mirror. A book as a rule refers to learning and transmitting of knowledge. In case you see a lightened candle on a picture it is in the majority of cases a symbol of religion or time passing. From the other side, a put-out candle represents death and mourning. A clock refers to the time passing. On this point the world-famous painting of Salvador Dali called “Melting clocks” represents an idea that nothing in our living is in line with some rules. And at last, a mirror represents attempts to get the truth, but in some cases it just represents the vanity.
This way, symbols are everywhere around us. We just should pay a little more attention to details to see them. |
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