Symbols Of Contention And Culture
This is an introduction
This essay will explain that symbols are not something to be considered in isolation. Instead, the meaning of symbols is tied to their cultural beliefs and practices. I will then explain that symbols can be used to invoke fears or represent well-being. But, the cultural interpretation of these symbols can have a completely new meaning. I will then show you that symbols can have different meanings in different cultures. This isn’t always true. The snake and the swastika are two of my controversial symbols. We will examine the connotations of these symbols and how they are used.
50, 000 year ago, symbols first began to be used. This then became a’symbolic bomb’ that spread worldwide, including symbols as dance, song, art and ritual. Symbolism, an activity that involves enunciation, assigns, categorizes the elements of a narrative and gives them meaning. Pierre Bourdieu (1977), said that symbolism aims to give meaning to reality, creating reality. The culture that created the symbol would now be the realisation of this reality. Symbols form the basis of culture. A symbol can be defined as any object that conveys a specific meaning that is easily recognized by people from the same culture. The symbolic interpretation of symbols can be used to communicate ideas and qualities. Although symbols can be in many forms, they are usually objects that represent something else. This gives the symbol a deeper meaning and is more significant. The symbolic use images allows for the expression of abstract or mystical ideas. Complex symbols can be used in language, gestures and other ways. This is a human characteristic. These symbols were created through social processes. They then became the representation of that process, after which a strong idea/meaning had been developed. Humans are symbol creatures. This is what makes us different from other animals. According to Sherry Orner (1979), any symbol can be used as a vehicle to convey cultural meaning. Symbols are then combined to enable language communication. Clifford Geertz: A religion is a set of symbols that act to establish powerful, persistent and long-lasting emotions in men. They create general orders of existence and dress those concepts with such an aura or factuality that they make their motivations and moods seem incredibly real. My argument is that the symbolic meaning behind objects can have many meanings within and between cultures. One culture’s beliefs can immediately place judgments on another by referring to symbols they believe are relevant to their culture/religion. The symbolism of snakes in different cultures is an example. Many religions, cultures and traditions have significant use of snakes. In western religions like Christianity, snakes have an unfavorable connotation. This is due to the story of Adam/Eve and how the snake/devil tempt them to consume the forbidden fruit. Both Christianity and Hinduism have completely different views of the snake. Although this has created conflict among the religions, it is more of a misinterpretation. According to my personal experience, Christians can refer to Hindus “evil” because they engage in devil worship activities. Since the serpent is the devil’s form in Bible narratives, this could be an indication that Christians are not referring to Hindus. Snakes in old Eastern religions like Hinduism Buddhism, Ancient Egypt and Buddhism are positive symbols and can be used to symbolize heightened awareness, rejuvenation, keepers or knowledge of the celestial realms, celestial beings hiding behind disguises, and celestial beings. This makes it difficult to tell the difference between the symbols of the snake in Western and Eastern cultures.
Today, snakes are used in Western culture as a symbol for a mixture of motifs. The westerners have more exposure to Eastern religions. While the stereotype of the snake as the evil serpent has been discredited, there is still a negative connotation. For example, Anaconda Snakes on a Plane depicts snakes in a movie that portrays them as deadly creatures and brings death to people. Film and TV shows about snakes, religions, and other topics offer viewers more information. This increases understanding and awareness. However, it is not yet a complete solution.
Let me now discuss the controversial symbol of the Swastika. The reason it is such a unique symbol is that it held the same meaning culturally from ancient times until World War Two, when Nazi Germany Party used it for their own purposes. This section will further explain why it is so fascinating. The swastika, or Wan ), (Sanskrit pronunciation: svstik), can be found on all continents. This symbol has been used for thousands of centuries in hundreds of cultures and conveys positive feelings. Incorporated in many ancient buildings, churches and temples worldwide. It is one the most ancient sacred symbols on earth, which symbolizes good fortune, peace, light and prosperity. It is more common to associate it with Hindus and Jains than with Buddhists. This is especially true for the millions of people who live in Asia. The symbol dates back to around 10, 000 B.C. although no one is certain about its creator. However, the English name is derived from the Sanskrit words “su”, “asti” and “ka”, which have been translated to “making of goodness” and “marker for goodness”. It also unites in the case where the original meaning and purpose of the swastika was that it symbolically represented the same thing. Although it had different visual variations, it still had the same shape. This is an interesting fact. These cultures, which were located on different continents, used the symbol. But that’s a topic entirely. Since Adolf Hitler overtook the swastika a century ago, this symbol now has a negative connotation. This symbol can be used to create conflict between east and west today. This frustrates Easterners, particularly those in America. Although there have been no rallies or marches to explain the symbol’s true meaning to the majority west-cultured population, it is still a very sensitive topic. These marches have seen people arrested for carrying the symbol on a poster, but not for any violent acts.
The symbol was banned in Germany. The vast majority of American and European citizens don’t have any knowledge of ancient history, ancient cultures, or other cultures. Because of this, the symbol is often linked to the Nazi party. The symbol can be summarized as a sign of good fortune, long-life, love and prosperity. Although the Japanese Samurai were not peaceful, their armoury had swastika-warriors. It was possible that the villain believed that they were the hero, wishing them good fortune for their mission and believing that killing certain individuals would make them more successful in their goals.
Sherry Orner (1979) explained that Key symbols can be divided into summarizing and elaborating. Her readings lead me to believe that both the snake (original meaning), and the swastika are summarizing symbols. They are sacred symbols, which can be used in tradition and culture and are not scary in Christianity.
Conclusion. In this essay, I argue that symbols cannot be used alone and explain how the meanings of certain symbols are influenced by the cultures in which they were created. Examples were used to illustrate how the meanings of symbols can differ within cultures and across cultures. This information supports my argument that symbols are representative of cultural beliefs, values, and traditions.
