Symbolism Seems Silly
Junk: 08.01.07 
Culture
The other day I was thinking how symbolism is just silly. With the obvious exception being symbolism related to matters of faith, where things that are not tangible must be believed. I wonder how can something that is symbolic have an emotional connection or be so important to someone? Our culture has too many meaningless symbols. Take for instance the Christmas tree, what the current meaning is behind this symbol is not universally clear. And yet we all must have one in our homes at Christmas time because it’s part of “getting into the Christmas spirit,” which is some emotional whimsical feeling I guess. “Your just a grinch,” I hear you saying. Well, how about the NAACP having a symbolic burial for “the n word.” Tell me that isn’t silly. Somehow this symbolic act for a word will mean so much to people and establish the end of racism… does this symbolism really DO anything? I think not. In the wise words of Garth Algar, from Wayne’s World, “LIVE IN THE NOW!”
In ancient times symbols had more meaning, now a days it just seems our culture’s “important” symbols relate to some feeling as apposed to any deep meaning. We even have post-modern thought where meaning is given to something by any individual’s interpretation. Symbolism without meaning is just worthless.
9 comments ↓
whew. that was too deep for me, Kerrin. All I know is that when I was little, it was a lot easier to draw a Christmas tree as a symbol for Christmas, than to try to write out a paragraph describing Christmas.
brittany,
ok. i’ll give you that. symbolism is good for kids.
to summarize this post: “symbolism is bad except when it’s good.”
wow that didnt make much sense at all.
Kelly, for the simpletons you could summarize that way, but why not switch “bad” to “silly”? the last sentence of the post is a more accurate summary.
Kenzie, this blog may not be for you.
thanks kerrin.
it’s Kelley. speaking of simpletons.
oh sorry Kellie, you don’t like when you name is spelled wrong?
Leave a Comment