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    Conventional Symbols in Literature: 1 Symbolism Mr. Rose

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    Conventional Symbols in Literature: 1 Symbolism Mr. Rose

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    Gawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain Symbols

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    Gawain Symbols

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    Conventional Symbols in Literature: 1 Symbolism Mr. Rose

    Uploaded by

    critestach
    Gawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain SymbolsGawain Symbols

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    Conventional Symbols in Literature

    A symbol is a setting, object, character, or event in a story that carries more than the literal meaning and
    therefore represents something significant to understanding the meaning of a work of literature. In other
    words symbols always have a literal (concrete) meaning and a figurative (abstract) meaning. Conventional
    symbols have a previously agreed upon meaning. Example:

    SERPENT
    Literal meaning: A serpent is a slithering reptile that hisses
    Symbolic meaning: the devil, especially the devil’s aspect of deceit and deception
    Conventional source: Genesis, the Garden of Eden

    Some conventional symbols are as follows:

    COLORS
    Red: blood, passion, emotion, danger, or daring Pink : innocence, femininity
    Black: passivity, death, evil Purple : royalty
    White: innocence, purity, light Brown : earth, soil, humility and poverty
    Green: new life, fertility, hope Orange : heat, sun
    Yellow: caution, decay, decrepitude, old age Gold: riches, sacredness
    Blue: peace, serenity, eternity

    NATURE
    Spring: birth, new beginning Light: truth, safety, warmth, knowledge
    Summer: maturity, knowledge Darkness: evil, ignorance, danger
    Autumn: decline, nearing death, growing old Apple: temptation, loss of innocence
    Winter: death, sleep, hibernation, or stagnation Weeds : evil, wildness/outcasts of society
    Christmas season: birth, change for the better Flowers: beauty, youth, strength, gentleness
    Easter season: rebirth, enlightenment Rose: budding youth, romance
    Dawn: illumination, hope Water: purification, cleansing
    Evergreen tree: immortality

    WEATHER
    Fog/Mist: isolation; confusion, obscurity Morning : purity and promise
    Rain: sadness or despair Rainbows : heralds of good fortune, heaven
    Wind and storms: violent human emotions Thunder : God’s wrath, punishment
    Lightning : power and strength

    ANIMALS
    Dove : peace, purity, simplicity Hawk : sharp, keen eyesight
    Fox: slyness, cleverness Owl : wisdom
    Raven: death, destruction, impending doom Cats : cunning, forethought, and ingenuity
    Lion: strength, power, authority Lamb : sacrifice element, the children of God
    Peacock: pride, vanity Eagle: freedom
    Mouse : shyness, meekness Donkey: humility, patience, stupidity
    Buzzard/Vulture: warning of impending death

    CLOTHING
    Cape: withdrawal into oneself or into God. Mask: demonic tendencies
    Cloak: human trickery

    1 Symbolism Mr. Rose


    SETTINGS
    Forest: usually a place of evil or mystery Window: freedom or lack thereof
    Desert: isolation: alienation, loneliness Door: opportunity
    Garden: paradise of a haven Park: a place for retreat and renewal

    OBJECTS
    Skull: death Candle: light in the darkness
    Crown: wealth Circle: wholeness, perfection
    Ring: long-term commitment Fire: Hell; pain, death
    Axe: battle, work Pearl: incorruptibility
    Belt: protection, chastity Sword: protection, strength

    ACTIONS
    Kiss: friendship, fellowship, intimacy Journey: the call of fate, adventure

    NUMBERS
    Zero (0): the ultimate mystery; nothingness
    Three (3): tripartite nature of the world; signifies fulfillment
    Consider: Holy Trinity; 3: beginning, middle, end; past, present, and future;
    Five (5): human perfection
    Consider: Five senses, five fingers on each hand, five toes on each foot, five wounds of Jesus
    Seven (7): totality; divine abundance
    Consider: Seven days of creation, seven days of the week, seven sacraments, seven deadly sins
    Twelve (12) universal fulfillment
    Consider: Twelve tribes of Israel, Twelve Apostles, twelve days of Christmas, 12 months in a year
    Forty (40): penance, purification
    Consider: 40 days of lent, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, the Jews wandered the desert
    for forty years, Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai, the Great Flood was caused by 40 days of rain

    2 Symbolism Mr. Rose

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