Understanding Culture,

Society and Politics

Quarter 1 – Module 4:
Analyze the Significance of
Cultural, Social, Political, and
Economic Symbols and Practices
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 4: Analyze the Significance of Cultural, Social, Political, and
Economic Symbols and Practices
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education Secretary:

Leonor Magtolis Briones Undersecretary: Diosdado M.
San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Authors: Jenneth D. Dela Cruz, Jonathan F. Batac and Donna Marie Daya
Content Editor: Leuvina D. Erni
Language Editor: Dr. Myrna B. Martino
Reviewers: Librado F. Torres and Normina B. Hadji Yunnos
Illustrator: Edivin Kevin D. Abella, Mark Alvin D. Asis, Melvin G. Evardone Rene S.
Halos, and Benigno G. Surio
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Dennis M. Mendoza, Regional EPS In-Charge of LRMS Micah
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Librado F. Torres, CID Chief
Normina B. Hadji Yunnos, Division EPS In-Charge of LRMS
and Division ADM Focal Person

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Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
Quarter 1 – Module 4:
Analyze the Significance of
Cultural, Social, Political, and
Economic Symbols and Practices
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Understanding Culture, Society and Politics for Senior High School
Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Analyze the Significance of Cultural,
Social, Political, and Economic Symbols and Practices !

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both
from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping
the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming
their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Understanding Culture, Society and Politics for Senior High School
Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Analyze the Significance of Cultural,
Social, Political, and Economic Symbols and Practices !

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and
skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

This will give you an idea of the skills or

What I Need to Know competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.
This part includes an activity that aims to
What I Know check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
What’s In the current lesson with the previous one.
In this portion, the new lesson will be
What’s New introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of
What is It the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and
understand new concepts and skills.
This comprises activities for independent
What’s More practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.
This includes questions or blank
What I Have Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

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 This section provides an activity which will
What I Can Do help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.
This is a task which aims to evaluate your
Assessment level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.
In this portion, another activity will be given
Additional Activities to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned. This also tends retention of
learned concepts.
This contains answers to all activities in the
Answer Key module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
understand the culture, science and politics that will be beneficial for you not only
as a student but also as an individual and Filipino citizen. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow
the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to the textbook you are now using.

The module will focus on this week’s lesson about cultural, social, political and
economic symbols and practices.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify cultural, social, political, and economic symbols.
2. Discuss cultural, social, political, and economic practices.
3. Analyze the significance of cultural, social, political, and economic
symbols and practices.

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 What I Know

What a pleasant day to start! You are going to learn new

concepts again for this week. Before you start with the
discussion, notice the pictures below. Are you familiar with
some of Filipino symbols and practices? Identify them and
write down your answer below each picture. Try it!

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

If you identify all the pictures above correctly, congratulations!

It means you already have a prior knowledge about cultural
symbols and practices. Learning the lesson will be much easier for
you. If you did not get all of them correctly, do not worry because
as you proceed in this module, you will learn more about the
cultural, social, political, and economic symbols and practices. Are
you ready?

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 What’s In

On your last module, you have learned two concepts:

Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. Regardless of the cultural
universals that we have, cultural differences are still much more
widespread. Ethnocentrism also known as cultural superiority
complex, is a belief where your own culture over the other cultures
which results from judging other cultures by your own cultural
ideals. On the other hand, cultural relativism is the opposite of
ethnocentrism. It is the idea that every culture difference must be
understood and must not be judged based on one’s own culture as
there is no superior culture over the other. These two are part of our
cultural aspects which shapes the interaction of human within a
society and no matter how society perceived a culture, cultural
practices will remain to be practiced by the people.

DIRECTIONS: Write down your thoughts on which among the two social
symbols do you often see? Compare them and explain which of the two
should be more posted.

VS.

Part of this cultural universals is the use of symbols

in sharing same meanings to represent an idea or
ideology. Symbols enable people to go beyond what is
known or seen by creating a connection between
otherwise very different concepts and experiences.

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 What’s New

Activity 1.
DIRECTIONS: Give the meaning of each of the following symbols and practices.
Write your answer on the space provided.

1. Jeepneys

2. Philippine National Flag

3. Bayanihan

4. Circumcision

5. Fiesta

6. Philippine Eagle

7. “L” hand gesture

8. clenched fist in the Philippines

9. yellow color

10. black color

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 What Is It

Cultural, Social, Political and Economic Symbols and Practices

Symbol is an object, word, or action that stands for something else, without
natural relationship, that is culturally defined. Symbols such as gestures, signs,
objects, signals, and words, help people understand the world. Symbols provide
clues to understanding experiences. They relay recognizable meanings that are
shared by societies. Symbolism, on the other hand, is when something represents
abstract ideas or concepts; it assigns names, denominations, and defines relations
between various elements (actors, actions, goals, means, objects, values, etc.)
articulated within a narrative.

Functions of Symbols and Symbolism

Social symbols are used to transfer culture, ideologies, or beliefs from group to
another group of people.

Symbols are also used to preserve traditions or beliefs of a certain group of

people.

All symbols contain the “face” and “hidden” values, the hidden value, in a
functional perspective, holds greater meaning and importance than the face value.

Symbols and symbolism have been used to create movements, spread ideas,
and share advocacies that surpasses time and distance.
Types of Symbols
Cultural Symbols – manifestation that signifies ideology of a particular culture that
has meaning within that culture.
Social symbols – relating to human societies and its modes of organization (i.e., social
classes, social problems, social issues, etc.)
Political symbols – used to represent a political standpoint; seen in various media
and forms such as banners, flag, motto, etc.
Economic symbols – used in production, distribution, and consumption of goods
and services like currency, market, labor, demands and other economic activities.
General Examples of Cultural Symbols and Practices
Objects, figures, sounds and colors
Facial expressions, word interpretations, or gestures such as handshakes and hand
signals, instead of symbols and signs

Cultural Practices are the manifestation of a culture or sub-culture, especially

concerning the traditional and customary practices of a particular ethnic or other
cultural group. Examples: religious and spiritual, medical treatment, forms of
artistic expressions, culinary, housing and child-rearing practices.

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A religious symbol is an iconic representation intended to represent a specific
religion, or a specific concept within a given religion.
Some Examples of Religious Symbols Around the World

Christian cross - The Christian cross has traditionally been a symbol

representing Christianity or Christendom as a whole, and is the best-
known symbol of Christianity.
Star and crescent - The star and crescent symbol was used as the flag
of the Ottoman Empire from 1844. It was only gradually associated with
Islam, in particular, due to its ubiquitous use in the decorations of
Ottoman mosques in the late 19th century. It was only occasionally adopted as an
emblem of Islamic organizations, such as the All-India Muslim League in 1940
(later becoming the Flag of Pakistan), and the US American Nation of Islam in the
1970s.
Jewish flags- featuring hexagrams alongside other devices appear from
As early as the 14th or 15th century CE. Use of the Star of David as
representing the Jewish community is first recorded in Vienna in the
17th century CE.

Some Examples of Cultural Symbols in the Philippines

The national items and symbols are used to create Filipino identity and to promote
solidarity and unity in the nation.

Philippines Flag Philippines Eagle Philippine National National Hero

Anthem

Some Examples of Cultural Practices in the Philippines

Traditional Medical Practices- belief in “albularyo”, herbal medicines, alternative
medicines, and other home remedies.
Religious/ Spiritual Practices – Obando Festival in Bulacan for fertility, Panaad
sa Camiguin as act of penance and pilgrim. Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila,
etc.
Culinary Practices- Rice 3 meals a day, Adobo, Sinigang, street foods, Balut, rice
cakes, etc. Child- rearing Practices- respectful (used of the words mano, po at opo ),
obedience to parents and elders, no talking back to elders, removing footwear
before entering the house, family mealtime, ninong/ninang, ate/kuya, punishment
using belt/tsinelas.

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Social Symbols and Practices
It is a visible, external denotation of one’s social position, indicator of one’s social
or economic status.
Status Symbol relates to how individuals and groups interact and interpret
various cultural symbols. It can be seen in clothing and possessions, societal
recognition, material possessions and other recognized symbols used worldwide
such as white dove for peace, red heart for love, etc.

Examples of Common Social Symbols Some social symbols are informative or

instructive like the following symbols.
Colors

Black- evil, death

White – purity, peace
Red – blood, war, possession, danger
Purple- royalty

Political Symbols and Practices

The artifacts or objectifications of different political meanings especially related
to power. Political symbols are usually used to embody an ideology, an advocacy, or
a group of people with same principles. Political practices are common things that
are done within a state or country. It is related to the practices done in the
administration, distribution and attainment of power, bureaucratic composition, etc.

Examples of Common Political Symbols (Colors)

Example of Common
Black- anarchism, fascism, Catholicism, Political Symbols in the
Christian democracy Philippines
Blue- conservatism, Judaism, men,
monarchism, liberalism
Brown- Nazism, fascism
Gold- capitalism, liberalism

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Political Practices in the Philippines

 Political Dynasties – it is the concentration, consolidation or

perpetuation of public office and political power by persons related
to one another.
 Filipino Clans
 Celebrities turned Politicians.
 Palakasan system – refers to a system of getting an advantage when
having or knowing someone powerful from the office that can
recommend you. This usually happens within government offices.
 Trapo ( Traditional Politics )
 Catholic Church Influence
 Power Revolt

Economic Symbols
This represents economic standpoint. It can be seen in various media
such as Stock Exchange, Money, and Currency, Gold and Petroleum, Life
Insurance, Banking, etc.
Examples:
New Zealand $ New Zealand dollar
Philippines ₱ Philippine peso
South Korea ₩ South Korean won
Thailand ฿ Thai baht

Philippine Economic Practices

In terms of savings, one of the traditional way of saving money in Filipino is
using “alkansya”. It is where they Filipino use bamboo as a vault to their money
until it becomes full and ready to be withdrawn by its owner. Another way of
economic practice of Filipino is “paluwagan”. It is a group savings where group of
people agrees to give money to a money manager who is also part of this group and
manages the money. The money will cycle throughout the group.
Significance of Symbols and Symbolism
As rational thinkers, we have been making and giving meaning to symbols for a
long time. Symbols have been part of our lives and growth as humankind. The
usage of symbols and symbolism have given mankind an avenue to communicate
with different groups of people, influence others of different ideologies, and preserve
values that were transferred from generations to generations.

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 What I Have Learned

Activity 2

DIRECTIONS: Compare and contrast the importance of cultural, social, political,

and economic symbols. Use the given graphic organizer.

Social Political Economic

Cultural

4-5 points 3-2 points 1 point

Compared and contrast Lack of comparison and Read again the
the importance of the contrast of importance. explanation of the lesson.
four types of symbols
completely and
reasonably.

What I Can Do?

Activity 3
DIRECTIONS: Examine the following symbolic interactions. Give the importance of
the symbols in the interaction that took place.
While Rina and Gregorio are strolling in the school, the Philippine national
hymn begin to play in the background. Rina suddenly stops and stand still while
putting her right hand on her chest. Gregorio saw what Rina did and do the same.
Significance:

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 In Tiktok community, there’s a specific trending hand gestures called “woah”
step. When Luis and his friends are reporting, they did the hand gestures and their
classmates laugh.

Significance:

A German tourist is strolling around Rizal park. In front of Rizal’s monument,

he stumbled across this beautiful young lady and as being felt sorry for he might
have hurt her, he combines his two palms, put it in front of his chest and repeatedly
bow his head to the young lady. The lady said that she is not Japanese.

Significance:

The day before Donna and Angelo’s wedding, their parents asked them that
they should not see each other as they should follow the elder’s beliefs that if a
couple see each other before their big event, accidents might happen that will lead
to cancellation of their wedding. But they did not listen. Instead, they go out and
have their bridal shower and stag party together with friends and as a couple.

Significance:

10 -8 7-5 4-2 1
The answer The answer was The answer lacks Answer is too
is complete not explained well explanation but vague. Suggested
and but still manages to to read again the
reasonable. reasonable. answer. given situation.

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 Assessment

DIRECTIONS: Analyze the following symbols and practices in the Philippines. Give
its importance to our society. Write your answer in two sentences.
1. Fiesta- Philippines celebration of patrons

2. White color to wear in weddings- white is believed to be sign of purity

3. Painting of fruits- believed to bring prosperity

4. National Flag- symbolizes Philippines as a country

5. Paintings in recycable masks- creativity of Filipinos

6. V sign hand gesture – means peace

7. Jeepneys- Philippines national trasportation means

8. Mall of Asia- Philippines Largest Mall

9. Color Yellow- In Philippines politics, this signifies liberal partylist

10. One peso coin- In Philippines currency, Rizal is in one peso coin.

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 Answer Key

often symbolize cultural ideas.

6. Peso sign are linked, and physical objects
Eukaristiya culture of aspects nonmaterial
and Material society.
5. Misa/Banal na ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a
4. National Hero of the consists contrast, in
worship. Nonmaterial culture,
3. Philippines Eagle
people where structures
2. Folk Dance physical the and stores,
1. Mano po automobiles, are as culture,
bus tokens are part of material
What I Know
and passes Metro of people.
objects or belongings of a group
to the refers culture Material
capacity). seating and trains,
and tangible things (bus stops,
example) for space, personal
about (expectations thoughts
of consists culture Moreover,
after the end of the colonial era.
World Third a and World First
the globe became divided into a
Monetary Fund to examine how
International or the Nations
United the like agencies
international of the history
study might sociologist fourth
A time. over changed and
spread language way in which
the determined how migration
another sociologist might study
are run. Yet way organizations
the changed have messaging
instant and email how see to
representative sample of people
a interview might sociologist
Another cultures. world
different from conversation
of polite rules the study
to conversations everyday
on carry as they societies
different from of people video
analyze might One sociologist
artifacts. and norms beliefs,
values, practices, shared
group’s the A c ultur e inc ludes

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References

Pictures Credit https://www.google.com/search?

q=pagmamano&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjXk5uc1K7vAhXi JqYKHW7DA3UQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=pagmamano&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgBMgQIABBDMgUIABCxAzIFCAAQs
QMyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADIECAAQQzIECAAQQzoHCAAQsQMQQ1Co5wxYs_wM
YNeSDWgAcAB4BYAB8gKIAdMUkgEHMC44LjUuMZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nsAEAwA
EB&sclient=img&ei=UWpNYJenEeLNmAXuho-
oBw&bih=657&biw=1366#imgrc=WSiImlHJ8NBxqM
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/301459768805655599/ https://www.google.com/search?
q=obando+festival&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiBqNOl1q7vA hVJUpQKHf6-DzAQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=obando+&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAy
AggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADoECAAQQzoHCAAQsQMQQzoFCAAQsQNQ2GVYxZ4DYJa
sA2gAcAB4AIABuQKIAcAIkgEHMC42LjAuMZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nsAEAwAEB&scli
ent=img&ei=fWxNYMH1Ocmk0QT-_b6AAw&bih=657&biw=1366#imgrc=FV9rfPN-HSSReM
https://www.google.com/search?q=philippine+eagle&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjnn8zB1q7vA
hVUTZQKHQ5iCaIQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=philippine+eagle&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIFCAAQsQMyAggAMgIIADICCA
AyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAA6BAgAEEM6BwgAELEDEENQ-
5kIWN3BCGDOxAhoAHAAeACAAYkBiAGhDpIBBDIuMTSYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ7AB
AMABAQ&sclient=img&ei=uGxNYOfjIdSa0QSOxKWQCg&bih=657&biw=1366#imgrc=IJ2n0JI0z
RbZbM

https://ph.asiatatler.com/society/family-matters-the-aquino-and-cojuangco-aquino-clans
https://www.wsj.com/articles/catholic-church-in-china-ordains-first-bishops-with-approval-of-
both-rome-beijing-11567006006

http://talkingpinoy.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-to-type-peso-sign-symbol.html
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/675540012839045249/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP%E2%80%93Laban
https://www.amazon.com/Covid-Entry-Poster-Laminated-Extra/dp/B086QKMDWY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_symbol#/media/File:Christian_cross.svg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_symbol#/media/File:IslamSymbol.svg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_symbol#/media/File:Star_of_David.svg
https://primer.com.ph/tips-guides/2017/04/15/learn-about-the-philippines-national-symbols/
https://www.pinoywit.com/official-national-symbols-of-the-philippines/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaca%C3%B1ang_Palace
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Party_(Philippines)
https://wise.com/gb/blog/world-currency-symbols

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