Symbol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The musical instrument is spelled cymbal.
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, sounds or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. A symbol, in its basic sense, is a conventional representation of a concept; i.e., an idea, object, quality, quantity, etc. In more psychological and philosophical terms, all concepts are symbolic in nature, and representations for these concepts are simply token artifacts that are allegorical to (but do not directly codify) a symbolic meaning, or symbolism.
From the most general systemics perspective, as used on maps, a symbol is a communication means: it is a graphical, written, vocal or other physical object which, usually in a syntetic sense, is used to the representation of another, more complex, physical or abstract object, or an object property. It is also used in various metaphoric notions.
Fundamental application domain of symbols are languages, mathematics and cognitive sciences.
Spoken language, for example, consists of distinct auditory tokens for representing symbolic concepts (words), arranged in an order which further suggests their meaning.
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[edit] Nature of symbols
The nature of the symbol and the process of symbolization are deeply rooted in the human nervous system. The relationship of that system to consciousness, thought and subjectivity is not understood, although there are some theories of partial explanation.
[edit] The symbolate
For example, a scepter[1], or sceptre, is a symbol of royal power. A scepter is an object which can be picked up and wielded, although it fulfills its symbolic purpose only if wielded by a monarch.
Objects have chemical and physical properties and behave in certain ways. In practice, a scepter is essentially a rod, with ornamentation; but essentially anything accepted as a scepter is a scepter.
An alien from outer space might describe a royal audience as follows: A human homo sapiens wrapped in fibers reflecting light at the high end of the visible frequency range moved an ornamented rod against gravity, at which time other individuals ceased emitting complex sound waves. A human would just say that the monarch dressed in a purple robe waved the scepter to silence the crowd.
What is the difference between these two meanings? Leslie White approached the question in an effort to define cultural objects, such as a law, a constitution, a marriage ceremony. All the nouns in the story are in this category: the monarch, the robe, the scepter, the language, the subjects.
The essence of a cultural object is that it is a token in the process of symbolization. White therefore defined the symbolate as an object created by the act of symbolization, just as an isolate is created by the act of isolation. The scepter stands for royal power, but before this act of symbolization it did not exist. It was created by its use as a symbol. We are conscious of the symbol, but not of the symbolate.
Symbolates are real objects. The act of symbolization endows the rod with a power it did not possess previously. Ordinary rods have no effect on audiences, but scepters do. However, the power does not reside only in the scepter. Its location is diffuse, some in the people, some in the king, some in the audience. Humanity lives in a world of diffuse powers and possibilities and therefore creates symbolates to describe and manipulate it. yes yes
[edit] Etymology
The word "symbol" came to the English language by way of Middle English, from Old French, from Latin, from the Greek σύμβολον (sýmbolon) from the root words συν- (syn-) meaning "together" and βολή (bolē) "a throw", having the approximate meaning of "to throw together", literally a "co-incidence" (zu-fall), also "sign, ticket, or contract". The earliest attestation of the term is in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes where Hermes on seeing the tortoise exclaims συμβολον ηδη μοι "symbolon [symbol/sign/portent/encounter/chance find?] of joy to me!" before turning it into a lyre.
[edit] Reference
- Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language, Second Edition, Unabridged, W.A. Neilson, T.A. Knott, P.W. Carhart (eds.), G. & C. Merriam Company, Springfield, MA, 1950.
[edit] See also
- Alchemy
- Applied Drama
- Asemic writing
- Check (mark)
- Computer icons
- Dramatic symbol
- Emblem
- Font
- Glyph
- Grapheme
- Icon (religious) and secular icon
- List of common symbols
- List of symbols
- Logo
- Logotype
- Map-territory relation
- National symbol
- Religious symbolism
- Punctuation
- Representation
- Semiotics
- Sign (linguistics)
- Siglas poveiras
- Symbol rate
- Symbol Grounding Problem
- Table of mathematical symbols
- Typography
- Unicode symbols
- Tasmanian emblem
[edit] External links
- Symbol search engine
- Religious and Cultural Symbols
- Charged religious symbols, and the challenge of symbolism to those who insist on literal interpretation of sacred texts
- Scientific American Magazine (August 2005 Issue) Mindful of Symbols
- Simboli, multi-linguistic site over symbols
- Symbols On Stuff
