HUM 6930 Creative Practice #5

Symbols

Symbols are a language that has been with us for thousands of years. The first of which include those of the animals and hunters seen on the cave drawings. In fact, the cave drawings at Maros on the island of in Indonesia, were dated in 2014 to be more than 35,000 years old. These are believed to be the earliest known cave paintings/drawings of animals. No one really knows why they were made, but it is believed that they may have been used in rituals or as maps for where the big game could be found.

As mankind evolved more and more symbols would come into use as a means of communication, ritual and to provide understanding. Symbols are everywhere today. From the stick figure men and women indicating which is the right bathroom for each to logo designs for product and businesses.

A pervasive symbol in our culture is the cross, which indicates the sacrifice of Christ to Christians. However, it is also the symbol of the cosmos, the intersection of East, West North & South. In China it represents the number 10 as well as a heavenly ladder. The cross tipped with arrows was used as the symbol for the fascist Hungarian National Party. And it can also be found on more than 300 heraldic crosses which have symbolic meaning  (Tresidder, 2005).

Numbers are symbols we use everyday. Letters are also symbols which stand for a sound. Wedding rings are symbols of commitment and love. A circle with a line through it is universal for no. The flags of every country, state and city are all symbols. Money is a symbol for a value of something. There is no escaping symbols. There is a symbol or dozens of symbols in your life every single day. 

For my compassion symbol I created this piece showing hands holding a heart against the backdrop of the globe. Our hands can create love, harmony and peace if we love our neighbors no matter where they live as we would want to be loved. It is up to each of each to remember that we have the power in our hands and heart to make the world a compassionate place to live in. 

Practice random acts of kindness. You just never know how a simple act of kindness can change someone's world.

 

Tresidder, J. (Ed.). (2005). The complete dictionary of symbols. San Francisco : Vancouver, B.C: Chronicle Books ; Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books.