Types of Symbols in Your World

There are different types of symbols everywhere. Logos on electronics, circus clowns, the word “free,” snow-peaked mountains—these are all symbols with distinct meanings and significance. 

Symbols have the power to evoke specific emotions and memories. They shape and reflect our perceptions and beliefs. Symbols carry enormous cultural significance by helping us navigate our world by embedding unique messages and stories within them. Symbols run our lives.

Each symbol, whether a brand logo or a natural landscape, holds a message waiting to be interpreted. Its message can offer insights into our collective and individual experiences.

Symbols can also be deeply personal, like a wedding ring, or more abstract, such as a meaningful place or a significant event. Even language itself is symbolic, carrying layers of meaning and expression. 

In this article, we’ll explore the three basic types of symbols. We’ll also consider how various types of symbols inhabit our environment and stage it much like props in a theatrical production. 

Then there is an exercise to help you understand your own symbols and interpret them to help you see parts of your Authentic Identity and Life Theme.

By understanding symbolic language, we give our lives more meaning and depth and enrich our experiences and interactions. 

These Are Three Basic Types of Symbols

As a salesman, I noticed that all my potential clients’ objects were actually symbols representing their genuine Self, which I called their Authentic Identity. Symbols became the language I used to sell, and over the years, I became well-acquainted with symbols in an actionable way. 

While there are many books and articles on types of symbols, I’ve narrowed them down to three basic types: Universal, Conventional, and Subjective. In addition these are more abstract uses of symbols that include events, places, and people which we will discuss later in this article.

Universal Symbols

Universal symbols permeate our everyday lives, often without us realizing it. They are deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness and shape the way we interpret the world around us. 

Universal symbols have a natural relationship between humanity and world experience. Fire, water, air, and earth are good examples. A field of grass can symbolize life when it’s lush and growing. That same field of grass can signify death when it’s dry and fading. 

A blanket is universally recognized as a symbol of warmth and comfort. Dark clouds often symbolize impending rain or doom.

Archetypes are also universal symbols expressing the roles and stories of humanity.

Conventional Symbols

Conventional symbols conform to established practices or accepted standards within a community. These symbols are what most people think of when discussing symbols—logos for household appliances, fast-food chains, sports teams, national flags, or corporate brands. 

They are more than random designs; they carry significant meaning and recognition, serving as a visual shorthand for the entity they represent.

These symbols extend to alphabets and numbers, where each character represents a sound, value, or concept within a larger system of communication. For instance, a logo might represent an entire brand, and a single letter or number can embody a wealth of information. 

Subjective Symbols

Subjective symbols are deeply tied to our personal histories and emotions. These symbols can range from a piece of jewelry reminding us of a loved one to a song taking us back to a specific moment in time. They are rich with personal significance, allowing us to connect with our past, express our identity, and navigate our emotional world.

For instance, a key could be just a functional object to most, but for someone who has just bought their first home, it symbolizes achievement and independence. Receiving a gift that becomes a personal symbol of a relationship can be deeply meaningful, carrying shared memories and emotions.

Subjective symbols highlight the fascinating aspect of symbolism—its inherent personal significance and the diversity of meanings a single symbol can evoke. 

Places Are Symbols

Places are not just physical locations. They can hold deep symbolism. For example, the beach is more than blue waters and tranquility. It’s a place for relaxation and harmony with nature for some people. When a four-year-old hits the beach in many cases it becomes a symbolic playground. This diversity in perception shows how personal experiences shape the symbolic meaning of places. 

Mountains can symbolize strength and resilience, while a deserted island might invoke feelings of solitude or adventure. Every place speaks a unique language to different individuals.

In every situation, our experiences are created by how our mind and surroundings work together. While we all share the same social symbolic interpretations, we do so from a unique perspective. But each of us puts our own spin on it because we generate things from a highly unique worldview. It’s the unique symbolic interpretation/worldview that’s a window into who we really are and what our Authentic Identity is up to.

Rhythm and Atmosphere

The atmosphere of a place is shaped by its rhythm and pace. Fast-paced cities feel different from sleepy towns. Lighting and space also influence how we feel about a place. Smells can transport us to different times, evoking memories and emotions. 

The bustling noise of a market can symbolize vibrancy and life, contrasting with the quiet solitude of a library, symbolizing knowledge and introspection. 

Understanding these elements helps us decode the symbolism of places. Sensory elements and their impact on our psyche provides a deeper understanding of why we feel a certain way in different environments.

Stage and Props

Every environment serves as a stage with its own symbolism. A church with sacred relics evokes reverence, while a lively bar prompts conversation and dancing. The props in these places, from stained glass to bar stools, add layers to their symbolic meaning. 

Hospitals, with their sterile environments and medical equipment, might symbolize care and science, yet might also evoke anxiety. The interplay of these symbols creates a narrative unique to each space. 

Events

Events, like places, are symbolic. Weddings symbolize love, funerals symbolize transition. Personal events, such as selling a business can carry deep emotional weight as a symbol. Cultural events, like parades, symbolize unity and celebration, while protests might symbolize resistance and a call for change. 

Sharing significant events during the ALTA assessment helps me understand a person’s Authentic Identity. Events that cause great happiness and anger represent emotional extremes, revealing our Authentic Self. 

People as Symbols

People, too, are symbols based on their roles and appearances. These symbols reflect societal norms and personal interpretation. Understanding this helps us see beyond stereotypes. People can symbolize different values and expectations, influencing our perceptions. 

A figure like a teacher symbolizes knowledge and stability, while a rebel might symbolize change and defiance. Roles within family structures also carry symbolic weight, with parents representing authority and nurturance, and children embodying potential and continuity. Recognizing these symbols in people enriches our understanding of social dynamics and interactions.

Language As Symbolic and the Mother of Meaning

Language bridges the gap between the physical and the abstract. Words are symbols that convey complex ideas. Understanding language helps us uncover Authentic Identity. A single word like “home” can evoke a plethora of meanings, from comfort to longing. 

Words like “justice” carry deep meaning and reflect human experiences and societal values. Language allows us to connect our internal thoughts with external reality. It is through language that we shape and express our identity, articulate our dreams, and convey our deepest emotions, making it the quintessential symbol of human experience.

The Types of Symbols That Reflect My Identity

Knowing what symbols and places provide us with comfort and a sense of safety are clues for great self-understanding.

For me, a room filled with shelves of well-written books on psychology, archaeology, philosophy, and the humanities immediately puts me at ease. The intellectual richness and the promise of endless learning within such a space resonate deeply with me. 

I prefer warmer colors that evoke a sense of coziness and security, paired with a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. The presence of interesting and unusual items from around the world adds an element of wonder and curiosity. This makes a space not just a refuge but a place of discovery and reflection. A space like this reflects my Wisdom Life Theme Archetype.

The books symbolize a deep-rooted thirst for knowledge and a penchant for understanding the world through various lenses. The warm colors and calm environment indicate my need for emotional comfort and stability, providing a safe harbor amidst life’s storms. The eclectic items sourced from diverse cultures symbolize an appreciation for the multifaceted nature of human experience. 

By recognizing and deliberately decorating spaces filled with these symbols, I can create a place where I have a deeper connection with my inner self. This helps my life have more authenticity in it by having this alignment between external environment and internal identity.

Exercise: Discovering Your Types of Symbols and Ideal Space

Take a moment to reflect on the symbols and spaces that resonate deeply with you. Grab a journal or a piece of paper, and follow these steps to uncover the symbols and environment that reflect your Authentic Identity and Life Theme Archetype.

List Your Symbols:

Think about the symbols that have personal significance to you. These could be objects, images, or elements of nature. Write down at least five symbols and a brief description of what each one represents to you.

Example: A seashell may symbolize tranquility and the vastness of life’s journey.

Describe Your Ideal Space:

Envision a physical space where you feel completely at ease and authentically yourself. Consider details such as colors, lighting, furniture, and items present in this space. Write a detailed description of your ideal space.

Example: A sunlit room with large windows, filled with plants, a soft rug, and a comfy chair for reading.

Reflect on Your Life Theme and Authentic Identity:

Analyze the symbols and the elements of your ideal space. Consider how they relate to your values, beliefs, and aspirations. Write a short reflection on how your choices reflect your life theme and Authentic Identity.

Example: The seashell and the sunlit room with plants and books may indicate a need for growth, and connection to nature, mirroring an Authentic Identity rooted in harmony and personal development which is Justice Life Theme.

By engaging in this exercise, you will uncover the deeper meanings behind the symbols and spaces that resonate with you. This understanding will help you align your external environment with your inner self, enabling a life that truly reflects your Authentic Identity and guiding you with greater wisdom and clarity.

Our Symbolic World

Symbols, whether universal like fire and water, conventional like logos and flags, or subjective like personal mementos, provide us with a framework for interpreting our experiences. By recognizing symbols in places, events, people, and language, we unveil the deeper meanings of the world that surrounds us. 

This symbolic understanding enhances our ability to communicate, empathize, and connect with others on a profound level as we look at the use of symbols in other people and other cultures.

Symbols are also guides to our Authentic Self. Each symbol acts as a mirror, reflecting aspects of our inner world, beliefs, and experiences. 

Recognizing and interpreting these symbols allows us to explore the depths of our psyche, uncovering truths about who we are and what drives us. 

As we decode the language of symbols, we gain the tools to navigate our lives with greater purpose and fulfillment.