Symbolism is when something represents something else. It is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Writers use symbolism to add deeper meaning to their work without making it too obvious or heavy-handed. Symbolic writing requires the reader to be an active participant, connecting the dots through the clues the writer provides. Some key things that can be represented through symbolism include ideas, emotions, traits, events, places, and characters. There are many classic examples of symbolism found in literature, film, art, and everyday life.
Colors as Symbols
One of the most common forms of symbolism across various genres and cultures is color symbolism. Different colors can invoke certain ideas, moods, or emotions for people based on their associations and meanings. Here are some examples of colors that are often used symbolically:
| Color | Common Symbolic Meanings |
| Red | Love, passion, danger, aggression, energy |
| Blue | Calm, stability, wisdom, confidence, truth |
| Green | Nature, growth, life, fertility, harmony |
| Yellow | Joy, happiness, positivity, optimism, idealism |
| Purple | Royalty, luxury, ambition, power, magic |
| Black | Death, darkness, mystery, evil, formality |
| White | Purity, innocence, safety, simplicity, perfection |
Writers can use these symbolic color associations creatively in their works. For example, a character who is always wearing red may be passionate and aggressive. A dark, gloomy house may symbolize mystery and evil lurking inside. Green plants sprouting up through the ground can represent natural new growth and life.
Weather as a Symbol
Weather is commonly used as symbolism as well. Storms, rain, sunshine, and other weather can mirror the emotions or themes in a story. Here are some examples:
| Weather | Symbolic Meaning |
| Sunny | Happiness, hope, positivity |
| Rainy/stormy | Sadness, emotional turmoil, inner conflict |
| Foggy | Confusion, unclear truths |
| Snowy | Isolation, coldness |
| Lightning/thunder | Sudden realization, shock |
| Tornado | Chaos, upheaval |
For example, a writer may set a pivotal romantic scene in the story during a rainstorm to represent the inner turmoil and conflict the characters feel. Or they might establish an ominous tone using fog and dim lighting. The weather often parallels the characters’ mindsets and developments.
Nature as Symbolism
Natural elements like plants, water, deserts, and animals also appear frequently as symbols. Here are some symbolic meanings associated with nature:
| Nature Symbol | Symbolic Meaning |
| Flower | Beauty, life, youth |
| Rose | Love, romance |
| Tree | Knowledge, life, family tree |
| Oak tree | Strength, endurance |
| Willow tree | Sadness, grief, weeping |
| Ocean | Power, vastness, unpredictability |
| Desert | Isolation, spirituality, desolation |
| Snake | Deception, evil, temptation |
| Butterfly | Transformation, change, hope |
| Seasons | Cycles of life, change |
For example, a lonely character looking out over an empty desert landscape may represent their isolation. A blossoming flower can symbolize the character achieving their potential. Changing seasons can parallel the character’s own life stages and transitions.
Objects as Symbols
Everyday objects can also carry symbolic weight based on their perceived qualities and associations. Here are some examples:
| Object | Symbolic Meaning |
| Mirror | Vanity, self-examination |
| Mask | Hidden identity, pretense |
| Key | Freedom, answers |
| Candle | Hope, guidance |
| Bridge | Transition, overcoming obstacle |
| Necklace | Admiration, commitment |
| Ring | Wholeness, unity |
| Water | Cleansing, renewal |
| Clock | Passing of time |
A character who constantly looks in the mirror may symbolize someone vain or too self-involved. A bridge allows characters to cross into a new stage of life or emotional development. A ticking clock reminds the reader that time is running out for something important. Almost any ordinary object can represent something deeper in the hands of a skilled writer.
Symbols from Myth and Folklore
Many symbols used in literature stem from ancient myths, legends, and folklore. Their meanings have evolved over time through the collective unconscious. Common symbolic archetypes from myth include:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Light vs. darkness | Good vs. evil |
| Serpent | Evil, deception |
| Apple | Forbidden fruit, temptation |
| Sun | Glory, power, life |
| Moon | Mystery, fertility, change |
| Fire | Destruction, passion |
| Phoenix | Renewal, rebirth |
| Unicorn | Purity, innocence |
These symbols resonate subconsciously, adding depth and layers of meaning that go beyond the literal. An author can leverage readers’ associations with these myths and archetypes to enrich a story. For example, a moonlit night may unleash a character’s passionate or mysterious urges. Or the phoenix represents the character rising again after failure.
Symbols Unique to a Work
In some cases, writers invent their own symbolic meanings that are unique to their story. This allows them to assign new symbolic associations at will and develop them over the course of the narrative.
For example, a repeated motif of caged birds could represent the theme of freedom vs. confinement. Or a particular character’s habit of counting bottles could symbolize their struggle with addiction. Inside jokes between characters act as symbols encoding aspects of their relationship. Writers can plant symbolic seeds that grow in significance as the reader gathers more clues.
By creating their own symbols, writers make the reader an active decoder of the text. The reader must pay close attention to how the writer introduces and develops these symbols over time. When done skillfully, invented symbols feel meaningful and organic rather than forced.
Using Common Symbols Creatively
While some symbolic associations have become common or even cliche, in the hands of a talented writer even timeworn symbols can be used innovatively. For example, the rose as a symbol of love and romance may be predictable, but it can acquire new shades of meaning depending on the context. Consider:
– Wilted roses symbolizing a dying love affair
– Sending black roses conveying darkness and forbidden love
– Roses placed on a grave representing grief and remembrance
– A delicate white rose suggesting innocent, new love
– A crown of roses symbolizing achievement and fleeting glory
In this way, putting an original spin on recognizable symbols breathes fresh life into them. The symbolic meaning blooms anew when the writer combines familiar symbols with inventive contexts and descriptions.
Conclusion
Symbolism is a powerful literary device for adding depth, nuance, and wider significance to writing. Symbols function as coded language imbuing the text with layers beyond surface appearances. From colors, weather, and natural objects to archetypes drawn from myth, symbolism allows writers to subtly communicate atmospheres and subtexts using things already laden with associations. Masterful writers utilize symbols creatively and originally, prompting readers to discover deeper resonances within the work. The symbols speak to our shared consciousness but open up new vistas for imagination at the same time.