DENOTATION is the literal definition of a word Ex. dove: any of various birds of the family Columbidae, including pigeons Signs, words, phrases, images, or other objects that stand for or represent something else. (Timeless Themes, pg. 1225) CONNOTATION are the associations that a word calls to mind Ex. dove means innocence, peace, love
UNIVERSAL SYMBOL USUALLY REPRESENTS Water, rain Storms Weather (in general) Blood Swords Knives Flowers, cups caves Cleansing, life, baptism, purity Bad omen, storm inside character Reflects the character’s mental side Death, sacrifice, family Male power, honor, positive Male power, deceit, negative Womanhood, beauty, adventure
UNIVERSAL SYMBOL USUALLY REPRESENTS Wilderness /forests Mountains /Valleys Animals (various) Voyages Colors (various) Fire Ailments (mental or physical) Barbarism, primitive human nature God, supernatural, majesty, knowledge Death, descending, human failings Different animals can symbolism different ideas, ex. Eagle, chicken, fox Journey of discovery, quests Colors hold meaning, ex. Green is life, blue is coolness, black varies Destruction, hell, torment, but also life Outward physical appearance from injury or mentally unbalanced behavior represents the character within.
If you need a resource for looking up common universal symbols, check out this website from the University of Michigan’s Science Fiction Club: mproject/symbolism.html/ mproject/symbolism.html