Symbol 37673 225782386 2008-07-15T11:11:05Z Ainlina 4847042 {{dablink|This article presents the essential definitions. For links to more complete treatments of specialized meanings, see [[Symbol (disambiguation)]].}} :''The musical instrument is spelled [[cymbal]].'' [[Image:Religious syms.svg|thumb|right|200px|Religious symbols]] A '''symbol''' is something --- such as an [[entity|object]], [[picture]], written word, or particular mark --- that represents (or stands for) something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible. Symbols indicate (or serve as a sign for) and represent [[ideas]], [[concepts]], or other [[abstractions]]. For example, in the United States, Canada, Australia and Great Britain, a red [[octagon]] is the symbol that conveys the particular idea of (or means) "STOP". Common examples of symbols are the symbols used on maps to denote places of interest, such as crossed sabres to indicate a battlefield, and the [[numeral]]s used to represent [[number]]s. Common psychological symbols are the use of a gun to represent a [[penis]] or a tunnel to represent a [[vagina]]. <ref> David G. Myers, ''Psychology'', Worth Publishers; 7th edition (June 6, 2004) ISBN 0716752514 ISBN-13 978-0716752516, p. 282 </ref> See: [[phallic symbol]] and [[yonic symbol]]. ==Language and Symbols== All languages are made up of symbols. In his work, '''On Interpretation''', Aristotle teaches that '''''"Spoken words are the symbols of mental experience, and written words are the symbols of spoken words."''''' The word "cat", for example, whether spoken or written, is not a literal cat but a sequence of symbols that associates the word with a concept. Hence, the written or spoken word "cat" represents (or stands for) a particular concept formed in the mind. Another example of the symbol "cat" would be an object, such as a stuffed animal, that is referred to as a cat. The stuffed animal resembles (or exhibits similarity) to a real cat. One can view the object and see the semblance to the real creature that is known to have fur, is soft to the touch, and purrs. The study or interpretation of symbols is known as '''''symbology''''', and the study of signs is known as [[semiotics]]. ==Etymology== The word "symbol" came to the [[English language]] by way of [[Middle English]], from [[Old French]], from [[Latin]], from the [[Greek language|Greek]] σύμβολον (''sýmbolon'') from the root words συν- (''syn-'') meaning "together" and βολή (''bolē'') "a throw", having the approximate meaning of "to throw together", literally a "co-incidence" (''[[:de:Zufall|zu-fall]]''), also "sign, ticket, or contract". The earliest attestation of the term is in the [[Homeric Hymns|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]]. ==The symbolate== A technical term for an object that serves as a symbol is a symbolate. For example, a scepter[http://www.british-towns.net/britain/monarchy/orb_and_sceptre.htm] is a material object that serves as the symbol of royal power. In addition to being a symbol, a scepter can be picked up and wielded. However, the scepter fulfills its symbolic purpose when it is wielded by a [[monarch]]. Objects have physical properties; a scepter is essentially a rod with ornamentation. The rod only becomes a symbol of power when people (1) view a scepter held by the hand of a monarch and (2) accept the monarch's authority (or right to use power). An alien from outer space might describe a royal audience as follows: A ''[[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 say that the monarch dressed in a purple robe waved the scepter to silence the crowd. What is the difference between these two meanings? [[Leslie White]] approached the question in an effort to define [[culture|cultural objects]], such as a law, a constitution, a marriage ceremony. All the nouns in the paragraph above are cultural objects: the monarch, the robe, the scepter, the language, and the subjects. {{col-begin}} {{col-3}} * [[Alchemy]] * [[Applied Drama]] * [[Asemic writing]] * [[Check (mark)]] * [[Computer icon]]s * [[Dramatic symbol]] * [[Emblem]] * [[Font]] * [[Glyph]] * [[Grapheme]] *[[Icon]] (religious) and [[secular icon]] {{col-3}} * [[LGBT symbols]] * [[Letter frequencies]] * [[List of common symbols]]<!--temporary--> * [[List of symbols]] * [[Logo]] * [[Logotype]] * [[Map-territory relation]] * [[National symbol]] * [[Religious symbolism]] * [[Punctuation]] * [[Representation (arts)|Representation]] {{col-3}} * [[Second-order simulacra]] * [[Semiotics]] * [[Sign (linguistics)]] * [[Siglas poveiras]] * [[Symbol rate]] * [[Symbol grounding|Symbol Grounding]] Problem * [[Table of mathematical symbols]] * [[Typography]] * [[Unicode symbols]] {{col-end}} ==References== ===Notes=== <div class="references-small"><references/></div> ===Other references=== * ''Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language, Second Edition, Unabridged'', W.A. Neilson, T.A. Knott, P.W. Carhart (eds.), G. & C. Merriam Company, Springfield, MA, 1950. * ''The American Heritage Dictionary'', 3rd Edition == External links == *[http://www.symbols.com/ symbols.com] *[http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/blsymbols.htm Religious and Cultural Symbols] [[Category:Symbols]] [[Category:Greek loanwords]] [[af:Simbool]] [[ar:علامة]] [[ca:Símbol]] [[cs:Symbol]] [[da:Symbol]] [[de:Symbol]] [[et:Sümbol]] [[el:Σύμβολο]] [[es:Símbolo]] [[eo:Simbolo]] [[fa:نماد]] [[fr:Symbole]] [[gl:Símbolo]] [[ko:기호]] [[id:Lambang]] [[it:Simbolo]] [[he:סמל]] [[hu:Szimbólum]] [[mk:Симбол]] [[nl:Symbool]] [[ja:シンボル]] [[no:Symbol]] [[nn:Symbol]] [[pl:Symbol]] [[pt:Símbolo]] [[qu:Sanancha]] [[ru:Символ]] [[simple:Symbol]] [[sk:Symbol]] [[sl:Simbol]] [[sr:Симбол]] [[fi:Symboli]] [[sv:Symbol]] [[th:สัญลักษณ์]] [[vi:Biểu tượng]] [[uk:Символ]] [[zh:符号]]