What is Symbol:
A symbol is a sensitive and non-verbal representation of a complex idea, which results from a process of assimilation and synthesis of said idea in a culture. This sensitive representation may be a graphic, visual, auditory or figurative element. Therefore, a symbol arises from a process of conventionalization of a concept and the way of expressing it other than verbal language.
The word derives from the Latin term symbolumand this comes from the Greek σύμβολον (symbolon). It is formed from the root withoutwhich means ‘with’, ‘together’ or ‘united’, and of ballein, which means ‘throw’. Therefore, in an etymological sense a symbol is that which is thrown to unite.
This means that around a symbol there is a social convention which allows all actors to give the same meaning to the symbol.
In a figurative sense, it is said that when a person has consolidated great influence in the social environment, he or she becomes a symbol. For example: “The singer Madonna is a symbol of modern femininity”, a phrase attributed to the designer Donatella Versace.
Function of symbols
Symbols have the function of transmitting complex or abstract meanings, the density of which is difficult to summarize in everyday language. For example, feelings, religious values, social values, numerical values, cultures, nationalities, ideologies, danger and anti-values, among others.
They do not explain concepts as language does, but they allow these concepts to be communicable and understandable, since they do not operate at the logical level but rather at the unconscious and subconscious level.
Therefore, symbols allow us to mediate between the visible and the invisible, the concrete and the abstract. The symbol, furthermore, has a unifying force, that is, it manages to synthesize various levels of meaning in a single element.
Because they facilitate the processes of understanding reality, symbols have educational and even therapeutic importance.
Finally, understanding the symbol allows the individual to recognize themselves as belonging to a sociocultural group.
Symbol characteristics
They are part of the human way of existing; They are representative; They are indivisible; They are collective, not individual; They also have an aesthetic vocation; They are perceptible at a subconscious or unconscious level; They are significant. The effectiveness of a symbol depends on the validity of its use and meaning in a given culture. That is why it is possible: that the origin of a symbol is forgotten but it continues to carry the meaning of the concept (for example, the symbol of medicine); the meaning of the symbol is transformed due to a change in historical conditions (for example, the swastika).
Types of symbols
There are as many types of symbols as there are cultural expressions and social spheres of interaction. Thus, symbols can be classified according to their style, function or scope of circulation. We can mention here some of the most widespread symbols that we find in Western culture.
Graphic symbols
With graphic symbols we refer to the characters that represent sounds or ideas, depending on the type of writing. In the case of alphabets, each character represents a sound.
There are other types of writing in which each character represents concepts. For example, numbers, pictograms, hieroglyphs, ideograms, etc.
scientific symbols
It is a series of graphic representations of scientific notions that describe operations, abstractions, concepts, materials, etc. For example, symbols of international measurement systems (W, ºC, ºF, Hz), symbols of biology (♀, ♂, RH-, RH+), geometric symbols (º, π), mathematical symbols (+, -, ÷, x).
A very clear example is chemical symbols. They are made up of letters and numbers that are used to represent chemical elements. For example, H₂O is the representation of the chemical composition of water, composed of two molecules of hydrogen (H) and one of oxygen (O).
See also Medicine symbol.
religious symbols
It is about the entire universe of symbols, which vary depending on the confession. They serve to identify each religious community, as well as to communicate complex concepts and facilitate spiritual experience.
In Christianity, the Latin cross, the fish, the dove, the chrismon or monogram of Christ (XP), the monogram of the Virgin Mary (MA), etc. are common symbols.
In Judaism, the Star of David, the menorah (seven-branched candelabrum), the kippah worn by men, etc. are essential.
In Islam, the symbol of the crescent, the flag of Jihad and the eight-pointed star or star of Solomon, among others, are essential.
See also 8 symbols of Holy Week.
National symbols or national symbols
It refers to the repertoire of visual or auditory signs that express the concept and values of a certain nation. Among them are mainly flags, anthems and shields.
Brand symbols
Nowadays, thanks to the market culture, there is a great profusion of brands. Each brand designs and disseminates a symbol that identifies it to effectively convey the origin, quality and guarantee of the product.
The symbols used by a brand include:
logos, logos inserted in geometric figures, logo symbols, monograms and pictograms.
Difference between symbol, sign and icon
Symbols are visual or auditory representations that do not have a relationship of similarity with the idea they represent, but rather a conceptual and metaphorical relationship. For example, the anti-war symbol known as a symbol of peace, the symbol of justice, hearts as a symbol of love, etc.
Signs are strictly graphics that delimit ideas in a concrete, direct and immediate way. Therefore, the sign is utilitarian and subject to control. For example, words.
An icon is an image that directly represents the meaning to be conveyed. That is, the image that aims to be analogous to its meaning. For example, emoticons, icons of sacred characters, etc.
See also At symbol.