Understanding Symbolism

What Symbolism “Is” and “Is Not”

Introduction

Over the years, I have invested a lot of time in understanding symbolism.

However, I’ve come to the conclusion, through the help of others, that most people don’t really understand symbolism. Some people write off symbolism as something that’s “woo-woo” or arbitrary, but I’ve come to learn that it isn’t. It’s as objective as the thing itself

On Metaphors & Symbols

Symbolism is not metaphor. A metaphor is when ”this” stands is for “that.” Metaphors can be very arbitrary because you can draw a comparison between anything.

For example, a some well known metaphors are “time is money” and “Juliet is the sun.” Time stands in for money, and Juliet stands in for the sun, drawing a comparison between the two things.

A symbol (and symbolism), on the other hand, doesn’t work this way. A symbol is the union between heavenly meaning and earthly matter, and is not arbitrary.

For example, communion is a symbol, but not a metaphor. There is no 1 to 1, horizontal connection between “this and that.” Rather, communion, as a symbol, participates in earthy matter (bread and wine) and heavenly meaning (body and blood). You cannot substitute the heavenly meaning of the earthly matter with something else without destroying the symbol.

Symbols also have power because they participate in and mediate to the world the thing they symbolize. Metaphors do not work this way, and it’s important to hold that distinction in mind. This is why the church has historically confessed the real presence of Jesus in, with, and under the earthly elements of communion. This is also why Saint Paul cautioned the Church at Corinth to examine themselves at the Lord’s Table because some were ”falling asleep” because they were guilty concerning the body and blood of Christ.

Conclusion

We live in a symbolic world, and symbols are powerful. That’s just how it works, folks. Symbols participate in earthly and heavenly things

It’s the reason why a police officer (earthly matter) who wears a “star” badge has the authority to arrest those who violate the law (heavenly meaning). It’s the reason why marital relations (earthly matter) produces offspring (heavenly meaning). It’s the reason why food (earthly matter) provides nourishment (heavenly meaning). It’s the reason why earthly kings are anointed with oil (earthly matter) and the Spirit of God rushes upon them and empowers them to expand the paradisal reign of God (heavenly meaning).

Now, there’s more to interpreting symbols than just understanding this. You need to also understand “space” and “time” as well. But, I’ll get to that some other time.

But, suffice it to say that symbols are powerful and they’re not arbitrary. The person who ventures into “woo-woo” interpretations of symbols typically doesn’t know how symbols work and you should ignore their interpretations because they’re typically treating symbols as metaphors, arbitrarily inputting whatever they “feel like” as the target image for comparison.

Now, I’m not saying metaphors are bad. I love metaphors in poetry as much as the next person. I love Dante and his poetic, metaphorical walking in a “dark wood” that leads him to hell. It lands with me and I know what he’s saying. But, we need to be clear. Symbols and metaphors aren’t the same, and confusing the two will land you in some weird places in the midst of a dark, disenchanted, flat, 2D reality where there is no “overlap” or participation between heaven and earth.