What are the symbols in literature?

Can you list some common symbols in literature and what they represent?

• Answer:

  A symbol can be a whole range of things: colors, objects, seasons, elements, places (natural or man-made), the weather, and even whole people (sometimes characters in novels are solely there for symbolism). Some general symbols used in literature are: Rose: which symbolizes love, beauty, romance and sometimes youth Sun: symbolizes strength, life and often related to masculinity Dove (bird): symbolizes peace Eagle (or imagery of a bird in flight): symbolizes freedom, liberty and strength Mountain: symbolizes resiliency, stability and sometimes human pride Skulls and bones: symbolize death Forests/ woods: the human subconscious, the mind and thoughts - often used in novels during times of "self-discovery" or difficult decisions etc. Bridges: often symbolizes a new beginning or change. It can represent moving forward from an event or certain time in life. Apples: symbolize temptation and the loss of innocence. Color white: innocence, purity, peace etc. Color brown: relates to the earth and hard work. Also humility and poverty. Season Spring: symbolizes new beginnings and birth Season Winter: symbolizes death, old age, weariness and sometimes hopelessness. Crow: death, impending doom. Oftentimes used for prophecies and foreshadowing. Lion: power, strength and pride Owl: wisdom and rationality Cats: ingenuity, cunning and forethought a wall: might represent a barrier, obstacle or difficult task or issue. Of course there are a large variety of symbols used, some more obvious and all with completely different meanings; it's difficult to simply state what a symbol represents as most often there are endless possibilities. It also depends on the context and events of the time. Other factors which affect the meaning, in the case of a novel, are the events of the novel and how they may be represented through a symbol, if at all symbolized. An example of something which could have multiple meanings is: Fire; thinking back to 'witch burning' this can represent cleansing and the ridding of evil. However it can also represent passion, sexuality and also something which is consuming or untamed. In this case, the meaning behind this symbol would depend on the rest of the story/ poem/ or whatever, for you to be able to decipher it's actual meaning.