1 Symbolism Mr. Rose
Conventional Symbols in Literature
A symbol is a setting, object, character, or event in a story that carries more than the literal meaning and
therefore represents so mething significant to understanding the meaning of a work of literature. In other
words symbols always have a literal (concrete) meaning and a figurative (abstract) meaning. Conventional
symbols have a previously agreed upon meaning. Example:
SERPENT
Literal meaning: A serpent is a slithering reptile that hisses
Symbolic meaning: the devil, especially the devil’s aspect of deceit and deception
Conventional source: Genesis, the Garden of Eden
Some conventional symbols are as follows:
COLORS
Red: blood, passion, emotion, danger, or daring
Black: passivity, death, evil
White: innocence, purity, light
Green: new life, fertility, hope
Yellow: caution, decay, decrepitude, old age
Blue: peace, serenity, eternity
Pink : innocence, femininity
Purple : royalty
Brown : earth, soil, humility and poverty
Orange : heat, sun
Gold: riches, sacredness
NATURE
Spring: birth, new beginning
Summer: maturity, knowledge
Autumn: decline, nearing death, growing old
Winter: death, sleep, hibernation, or stagnation
Christmas season: birth, change for the better
Easter season: rebirth, enlightenment
Dawn: illumination, hope
Light: truth, safety, warmth, knowledge
Darkness: evil, ignorance, danger
Apple: temptation, loss of innocence
Weeds : evil, wildness/outcasts of society
Flowers: beauty, youth, strength, gentleness
Rose: budding youth, romance
Water: purification, cleansing
Evergreen tree: immortality
WEATHER
Fog/Mist: isolation; confusion, obscurity
Rain: sadness or despair
Wind and storms: violent human emotions
Lightning : power and strength
Morning : purity and promise
Rainbows : heralds of good fortune, heaven
Thunder : God’s wrath, punishment
ANIMALS
Dove : peace, purity, simplicity
Fox: slyness, cleverness
Raven: death, destruction, impending doom
Lion: strength, power, authority
Peacock: pride, vanity
Mouse : shyness, meekness
Hawk : sharp, keen eyesight
Owl : wisdom
Cats : cunning, forethought, and ingenuity
Lamb : sacrifice element, the children of God
Eagle: freedom
Donkey: humility, patience, stupidity
Buzzard/Vulture: warning of impending death
CLOTHING
Cape: withdrawal into oneself or into God.
Cloak: human trickery
Mask: demonic tendencies
