Bell Ringer #2- Symbolism Permissions slips due to basket & phones in the vault!! A symbol is often an ordinary object, event, person, or animal to which we have attached extraordinary meaning and significance. What are some (3+) important symbols to you? What do they symbolize and why are they important to you? Describe. Must be between 25-50 words with word count.

Symbolism and Individuation A Brief Introduction to Myth

What is Mythology? Mythology is the most archaic and profound record we have of mankind's essential spirit and nature. The fundamental language through which man relates to life's mystery and fashions meaning from his experiences. Concepts and facts that make logical sense, we find patterns of irrational imagery whose meaning must be discerned or experienced by the participant-observer. These patterns of meaning is what Jung (more on him later) meant by the symbolic approach to religion, myth, and dream. Mythology comes from the word “Mythos” or “great lie”…but are stories lies? Are what they teach unimportant?

What’s the difference? Let’s compare: ■Logo: Word or words in type. Identify company, brand, project and group. (Nike) ■Symbol: Marks without type used to identify a corporation, agency or institution. (Nike Swoosh)

Why are symbols important? We use a picture of a skull and crossbones to symbolize poison or danger… So you don’t die! We send red roses as a symbol of love… or apologies. How might colors Factor into these meanings?

Where Do Symbols Come From? Symbols can be public and inherited (ancient) or invented and personal; sometimes a combo of two…or more! The most familiar symbols have been inherited, meaning, they have been handed down over time.

Universal and Inherited Symbols For example: no one really knows who first thought of using a lion as a symbol of power, courage and domination Once these qualities were associated with the animal, images of lions appeared on flags, banners, coats of arms and castle walls The lion became a universal symbol that shows up in art and literature, even today! Inherited symbols tend to stay with a small group (family) or culture.

Ancient Symbols still seen today People throughout history have endowed ordinary objects with meanings far beyond their simple meaning, changed them and combined them Ancient Symbols still seen today Melusine (Alchemical Siren, Twin-tailed Mermaid) A typical illustration of a twin-tailed siren or mermaid. This creature is associated with numerous stories and legends, and is imbued with symbolic meaning in alchemy. The most common iteration of the siren is as Melusine, a creature from medieval legend. Melusine (sometimes, Melusina) was, according to legend, beautiful woman with a disturbing tendency to transform into a serpent from the waist down while bathing; it is the discovery of this nature that triggers calamity.

Invented symbols Writers often take a new object, character, or event and make it the embodiment of some human concern. Some invented symbols in literature have become so widely known that they often have gained the status of public symbols. For example: Peter Pan is a symbol for eternal childhood; ie: “Peter Pan syndrome” Personal Symbols-Symbols we invent to identify ourselves and distinguish us from others. These can be a combination of the other types or unique, like a fingerprint or signature.

Why Create Symbols? You may ask why myths don’t just come right out and say what they mean. Symbols allow storytellers to suggest layers and layers of meaning-possibilities that a simple, literal statement could never convey. A symbol is like a pebble cast into a pond: It sends out ever widening ripples of meaning. It takes you on the journey.

How do I know if it’s a symbol? Repeat appearance – sometimes across stories Seems to be connected with a character or event Author spends a long time on description

Learning Target Check Take a few minutes and think of three symbols that represent the following: Your Past Goals for near future (this year) A personal symbol

Individuation and Symbols Individuation is a process of transformation whereby the personal and collective unconscious are brought into consciousness (e.g., by means of dreams, active imagination, or free association) to be assimilated into the whole personality. It is a completely natural process necessary for the integration of the psyche. The major symbols for connecting oneself and everything else are various forms of the Coniunctio Oppositorium (combination/union of opposites) also known as a Mandala in which the original wholeness is now re-established but on a higher, more differentiated level. Ex: geometrical opposites paradoxically united

The rectangle theory How many rectangles do you look at, and through, every day? Learning comforting

Mandalas Sanskrit, "magic circle." An archetypal image representing contact with, or a presentiment of, the Self. The basic mandala is a circle with a square or other fourfold structure superimposed. Mandalas are found in cultural products of all races. They seem to represent a central integrating principle which lies at the root of the psyche.

Examples

Man and Nature Symmetry doesn’t have to mean same…

Escher and Aliens?

Buddhist Mandala

1st assignment- Mandalas Create a Mandala out of your own material or one of the provided templates. Incorporate your three symbols! On the back, write about your three symbols and the meanings behind them. (don’t use dark pens since they may bleed through the paper and ruin your lovely Mandalas) DUE: this Friday- Sept 1!!