Symbols are objects, signs, images, colors, words, or characters used conventionally by a group of people to represent something else. They are metaphoric in nature and their meaning often confined to their origins or to those who use them. As such, different symbols could have different meanings to different cultures or groups of people. This could be a communication barrier to people who have little or no understanding of the symbols. The symbols could also be misinterpreted especially in cultures where they have completely different meanings.
Red is a color that symbolizes different things in many cultures. In Central Africa’s culture, the color represents life and health. In most African cultures, however, red symbolizes death and is often used during the mourning period. To the Chinese, the color is associated with positive things such as loyalty, fertility, courage, fortune, success, happiness and honor. Brides also wear red dresses in the Chinese traditional weddings.
The eye on the pyramid is a symbol whose meaning is not only widely different but very controversial in different parts of the world. It is a symbol in the United States dollar. According to the Americans, the pyramid symbolizes endurance and survival and the eye, the watchful eye of God. Some Americans, however, believe it means the government is always watching their moves. To many, the meaning is rooted in Satanism and they would rather avoid anything associated with it. It is also a symbol of the Freemasons that is believed to remind them to strongly keep their values, standards, and secrets from the general public since they are always being watched.
The heart symbol is widely used to symbolize love, joy, and compassion in the current world although it was used to represented sensuality in the ancient cultures. In some cultures today, the heart symbol also means a completely different thing. To them, it is used to symbolize the spiritual, moral, intellectual and emotional substance of a person.
The fish symbol bears different meanings to Christians and other pagan cultures. It is depicted using two intersecting arcs which extend on the right side to bear the profile of a fish. To Christians, it symbolizes Jesus Christ. The symbol was used as a code by Christian believers to express conviction in the times of persecution (SHEN P 19). To Neopagans, however, it symbolizes fertility. To them, the symbol is not a fish but a woman’s vagina. It was highly used to represent goddesses of fertility in the ancient times.
In conclusion, the above-mentioned symbols include just a fraction of the often controversial symbols in the world. The symbols can be highly misunderstood when used by people attributing different meanings to them. It is therefore wise to avoid jumping into conclusions when certain symbols are used before knowing the actual meaning they are intended to convey.
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