1. Symbolism in Literature

2. Images from:
wikipedia.org/

3. What is a symbol?
A symbol is something that stands for, or represents, something else. They are learned associations, arising mainly out of cultural traditions.

4. Symbols in literature…
Are shaped by our own associations as well as the author’s
Conventional symbols: those widely recognized by society
Contextual symbols: those whose meaning are determined mainly by the author
The lion is a symbol of bravery, strength, and power.
Moby-Dick, the white whale, is usually interpreted as a symbol of evil, God, or an indifferent universe. (

5. Symbols in literature…
Are related to the culture they come from. The ones here come mainly from a western/Eurocentric tradition
Can be recognized by the frequency an object or character is mentioned in a piece of literature
If it is mentioned often, it is probably important.
Also, look at how much detail is used in describing an object—objects that are described in more than one paragraph are important!!!
(“How to Understand Symbolism in Literature”,

6. Symbols in literature…
Symbols can stand for more than one thing.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: nothing clearly represents one particular thing—objects are generally contained in their individual episode. The garden may symbolize the Garden of Eden, an ideal space of beauty and innocence that Alice is not permitted to access. Also, the garden may represent the experience of desire, in that Alice focuses her energy and emotion on trying to attain it. The two symbolic meanings work together to underscore Alice's desire to hold onto her feelings of childlike innocence that she must relinquish as she matures. (

7. Common Conventional Symbols in Literature

8. Sun & Light Represents… Father principle (i.e. male)
Consciousness: thinking,
enlightenment, wisdom,
spiritual vision, awareness
Passage of time and life
Rising sun: birth, creation,
enlightenment
Setting sun: endings, death
Creative energy
Sun: Law in nature

9. Moon Represents… Mother principle (i.e. female) Cycles Resurrection
Madness

10. Night & Dark Represents… The mysterious
The unknown (e.g. to be “in the dark”)
Death
Evil, shadiness of quality (i.e. the darker the night, the purer the evil)
Darkness can also be calming,
restful, serene—much like still
being in the womb
Image from:

11. Water Represents… The mystery of creation Purification and cleansing
Redemption and rebirth (e.g. baptism)
The unconscious
Rivers: the flow of time, journeys
Lakes: the unconscious (“what lies beneath”)
Sea/Ocean: the mother of all life, spiritual mystery and infinity, timelessness and eternity, cycles (the tides)

12. Fire & Lightning Represents… Fire: associated with the sun and light
Purification
Destruction
Power
Passionate emotions: love, hate, rage, anger
Sexuality
Lightning: dramatic, instantaneous divine retribution and destruction

13. Flowers: The Rose Represents…
Traditionally (since the Victorian era, anyway), the
colour of the rose determines the kind of love:
Red = romance, beauty
Yellow = friendship
Deep pink = gratitude and appreciation
Light pink = sympathy and admiration
White = reverence, purity, innocence, remembrance (and, therefore, also death)

14. Noteworthy Plants Laurel = glory Oak = wisdom, strength
Acorn = potential, strength
Tree = fertility, life, growth, immortality or long life
Garden = paradise and unspoiled beauty, innocence, fertility

15. Circle / Sphere Represents… Wholeness, completeness Unity
Having no weak point
The feminine spirit

16. Triangle Represents… The masculine spirit (positive or negative)
The sky, the earth and the living creatures
The perfect union when two become one
In Christianity:
The father, the mother and the son
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
The power of the One to become All (
NB: Nazis used triangle markings in concentration camps to categorize prisoners

17. Animals: Serpent / Snake
Represents…
Energy and pure force
Evil and corruption
Sensuality
Destruction
Mystery
Wisdom
The unconscious
Primitiveness and origins
Includes worms, because of their resemblance

18. Animals: Eagle, Dove, Phoenix
Bravery, leadership
United States of America
Dove
Peace, hope for peace
Phoenix
Resurrection

19. Animals: Cat & Dog Cat Dog Independence
Meditation, mystery, and watchfulness
Cleverness and wisdom
Black cats = bad luck (superstition)
Dog
Loyalty
Guardianship (e.g.
Cerberus)

20. Numbers: One & Two One: the original, the creator
Two: duality/contrasts
Male and female
Good and evil
Night and day; hot and cold; etc.
Yin and yang: female and male
opposites

21. Numbers: Three Spiritual awareness Completeness and unity
Phases of life:
Past
present
future
Maiden
Mother
Crone
Father
Child
Christianity: The Holy Trinity
Buddhism: Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha
The three Fates; three Sirens; three Witches; three Furies; three Graces

22. Numbers: Four The earth (associated also with the square)
Cycles (seasons)
Four elements: air, water, fire, earth
Four directions: north, south, east, west

23. Numbers: Seven The union of three (spirituality) and four (earth)
Eternal life: human life linked with divine life
Completion of a cycle; perfect order (week, music scale, rainbow, etc.)
Wisdom

24. Colors Possibly the most important and most common of literary symbols
Shade is important—can show the strength of the symbolic meaning
Consider combinations of colors (separate or blended)
Many colors can be seen positively or negatively

25. Red Blood; life and death Energy
Violence, disorder, sacrifice, rage, danger
Warmth and heat
Passion
Lust

26. Green Fertility, growth, and the abundance of nature Hope Renewal Envy
Naïveté
Rottenness, decay, and death

27. Black Closely associated with darkness and night
Darkness, chaos, and emptiness
Mystery and the unknown
Primal wisdom
The unconscious
Evil
Melancholy

28. White Associated with light Purity, innocence, and virginity
Timelessness
Blinding truth
Death and the supernatural
Mirrors = reflection