OF SYMBOLS…
Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws.
-Confucius
The term ‘symbology’ seems to have gained popularity in 21st century lexicon with the release of Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (2003) , and has continued to stoke interest ever since, despite the vehement pronouncements by pundits that ‘semiotics’ , and not symbology was the correct term for the study of symbols.
Nonetheless, the work alerted even the layman ‘to stop and stare’ at the plethora of symbols strewn all around in the daily life and try to make more sense of them.
Though defined as- a mark, sign or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object or relationship- a symbol seems to be omnipresent. Hieroglyphics, narrating the story of times long long ago, are actually the accepted symbols of that age carved in stone for posterity to decipher- a symbol seems to be omniscient.
At a very basic level, even the words are symbols, i.e. representative of a thing. By the same logic, the body language is also in many ways a kind of symbolic language- hinting at deeper connotations and open to a personal interpretation. The native wisdom relies heavily on symbols. For a farmer, a star constellation sighting is a sign to crop or harvest . It is so for the mariners too. Symbols galore for professionals too. For a cartographer , the beauty and functionality of the symbols pins the whole world onto a sheet of paper. It is the humble yet omnipotent symbol that forms the basis of communication algorithms. The symbols are rooted in all the cultures of the world. If the Orient has ever reverberated with the profoundness associated with the signs, symbols and codes, in the Occident, they are still honoured by selective cultures.
In a sense, symbols actually are triggers which allow people to tap into what is known to them, with alacrity. Obviously, there are objective and subjective linkages attached to a symbol. No wonder , they are supposed to assist as ‘channels of interpretation’ for all personal knowledge. Actually symbols are simple ways of transmitting complex information. In a different culture or a new land, it’s the universality of symbols which provides courage to a traveler to navigate the unknown. Anthropologist believe that the meaning of a symbol is not inherent but is culturally learned. It is due to this reason that each generation invents its own symbols. When existing symbols fall short of conveying the modern intent, the new symbols have to be coined and then gain currency according to the trending context - a case in point is the ‘No war’ sign. Designed by Gerald Holtom, it was originally commissioned by ‘Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament’ group, but caught on as the anti-war symbol.
And then, it is a small leap from symbols to symbolic- from a thing to a gesture.
A ribbon on the sleeve, a hand sign or simply brandishing a colour , all build up on the potent power of symbols.
The symbols are the building blocks of mathematics, of communication algorithms, of ideologies, of religions, and of non-verbal human communication. Inhabiting every corner of the earth they are probably the language of the universe. That makes one wonder whether putting out many more positive symbols out there in the universe, would ultimately lead to more positivity in the lives here.