SymbolismA 7th Grade Presentation

Symbols have multiple layers of meaning. On one level, they have a literal meaning—they describe an actual thing or type of thing in the world.For instance, what is the literal meaning of the word “lion”?

Symbolism

Lion, literally

A large heavily built social cat (Panthera leo) of open or rocky areas chiefly of sub-Saharan Africa—though once widely distributed throughout Africa and southern Asia—that has a tawny body with a tufted tail and a shaggy blackish or dark brown mane in the male

Symbolic meaning

But “lion” has another layer of meaning, a symbolic meaning. It can also refer to abstract qualities or concepts—things that aren’t physical.

What qualities or concepts can “lion” suggest?

Or: if I call a person a “lion,” what am I saying about that person?

Lion, symbolically

Courage Leadership Ferocity Nobility Strength

Atticus as a lion

I could draw a lion on my Atticus body biography because I believe that Atticus displays courage and leadership when he defends Tom Robinson even when most of Maycomb is against him. The lion symbolizes the qualities—courage and leadership—that Atticus embodies.

More symbols

Dog Cat Owl Fox Eagle

Symbolism

Symbolism

Symbolism

Symbolism

Symbols are tangible objects representing intangible ideas.

Here is a fun website: http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolism

project/symbolism.html/

But it is important for you to create symbols yourself (after all, you need to explain the meaning of them so they should be something of your own creation)

When in doubt….