Symbolising for Dummies

Symbolising is a way that we humans use to give meaning to things. Imagine you are telling a story to your friends, and you want to show them how brave your main character is. You might use a symbol, like a roaring lion, to represent courage. So when you mention the lion in your story, your friends will immediately understand that it stands for bravery. That's what symbolising is all about - using symbols to represent ideas or concepts.

Symbols can be objects, actions, or even words that have a special meaning attached to them. They help us communicate complex ideas in a simple and visual way. For example, have you ever seen a red stop sign? It's a symbol that tells us to halt, to not move forward. That's a very important symbol because it helps keep us safe on the road.

But symbolising goes beyond just objects or signs. Sometimes, in stories or even in real life, we use symbols to represent emotions or feelings. Let's say you're feeling so happy and excited after winning a soccer game. You might describe the feeling using a symbol, like "my heart was soaring like a bird." By comparing your happiness to a bird soaring high in the sky, you're using a symbol to make others understand just how joyful you were.

Symbols can also be found in art, literature, and religion. Artists use symbols to express deeper meanings and emotions. In paintings, for example, they might use a rising sun to represent hope or a broken chain to symbolize freedom. In literature, symbols can help us understand the author's message and connect with the characters on a deeper level. And in religion, people often use symbols to represent their beliefs and values, like the cross in Christianity or the Star of David in Judaism.

So, when we talk about symbolising, we're talking about using symbols to give meaning to our words, actions, or even objects. It's like having a secret language that helps us express ourselves in a unique way.