Arikah Map

Symbol

This article presents the essential definitions. For links to more complete treatments of specialized meanings, see Symbol (disambiguation).

Symbols are objects, characters, figures, 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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Nature of symbols

Symbol:Various religious symbols
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Various religious 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.

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. What are the properties of a scepter? In practice, it 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 multitude.

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.

Etymology

The word "symbol" came to the English language by way of Middle English, from Old French, from Latin, from the Greek σύμβολον súmbolon from the root words σύμ- (sym-) meaning "together" and βολή bolḗ "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.

Reference

See also

Categories


Symbols | Typography

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