How to Identify a Symbol

Symbols can be identified by people's actions, such as saluting the American flag.

Symbols represent more than their initial appearance indicates. The physical shape and design of an object does not signal what this item represents to a certain culture, group of people or person. You must have knowledge of the culture underlying the symbol to interpret what it means. If you are not part of that culture, typing key words into a search engine can lead you to the meaning of an object.

Things You'll Need

• Internet

Instructions

1. Look at the object you think might be a symbol, and gather information about it. Note the object's color, size, shape, words and orientation. Also notice where the symbol is displayed, what surrounds it and whether people treat this object in a certain way. Symbols can be sacred (significant in a religious way) or secular (non-religious). Sacred symbols are often worshipped, respected and treated with care. For example, after being blessed, the holy wine in Catholic mass represents the blood of Christ and cannot be wasted.

2. Research the area and context in which you saw this object. If you are in a building or populated place, ask the staff to explain the significance of the item. There are often plaques to describe the history of important events and the objects involved in them. You will be able to tell that the object is a symbol from the importance the people around it give to the object. If it is displayed in a case, roped off, respected or admired, the item is likely a symbol. If the symbol is in a book, reference the glossary or dictionary for the symbol's meaning.

3. Type a description of the object into a search engine. Results will show not only what the object is named, but articles relating to its meaning. For example, you see the outline of a bird with a branch in its mouth, and you are not sure of the significance of this image. Typing the description into a search engine will yield results about peace and Christianity. The dove with an olive branch is commonly found in churches and organizations that advocate peace.

References

• Missouri University of Science and Technology: Definition of Symbols