Symbols and Rituals
Symbols Observable physical realities that represent invisible qualities or elements. They help us to see beyond the surface of things, to search for the deeper significance and levels of meaning.
Symbols versus Signs The words sign and symbol are often used interchangeably but they do not refer to the same things! Signs refer to any object that represents something else. Simple signs are usually designed a person and given a straight forward meaning. They can only be interpreted in one way.
What are the 3 characteristics of SYMBOLS? Symbols have more than one meaning People cannot impose meanings on symbols, rather we discover meanings in symbols. Symbols tell us what they mean, Symbols have certain meanings associated with them by their very nature. Symbols evoke more than one kind of response from us. Symbols appeal to our minds, bodies, emotions, memories, senses and spirit. Depending on our experiences with certain symbols each of us can associate different emotional responses to different symbols.
Are the following Signs or Symbols?
Summary Whereas symbols are thought-provoking and stimulating and soul-stirring all at once, signs are rather one-dimensional You can prove that an object or image is a symbol using 2 out of the 3 characteristics. Symbols appeal to several human dimensions (mind, body, emotion, senses, memory, spirit) whereas signs only speak to one dimension of our being.
Different Kinds of Symbols Although communicating through symbols is something all people do, not all symbols communicate meanings that will be the same for all people in all places or times. For this reason there are 2 types of symbols: Universal Symbols Cultural Symbols
Cultural Symbols These symbols are closely dependent on a specific situation, place or group. Outside of this situation, a cultural symbol loses or changes meaning. Cultural symbols can also change their meaning, lose their meaning or die altogether over time.
Universal Symbols These symbols are clearly recognized throughout the world by people of many different cultures. They are not tied to a specific situation or group. Sometimes universal symbols convey complex or even contradictory meanings.
Contradictory Symbols
LITERAL VERSUS SYMBOLIC THINKING Communication by way of symbols is based on the human ability to think symbolically. However, for a variety of reasons modern Western people often have a hard time thinking symbolically. What do you think this represents? What it used to represent Heart Clouds Stars Oil
Instead of viewing the above objects in terms of symbols we tend to think about it in more literal obvious terms. When we only see things at their literal level we endanger out ability to recognize the deeper meanings they can convey to us. We endanger our ability to recognize the sacred.
Literal Thinking: That s all there is! Literal thinking involves considering something only at face value or just being concerned with the facts. The attitude behind literal thinking reduces all life to just the observable measurable things. Such an attitude is based on a belief that visible, measurable facts are the only valid foundation of knowledge. This attitude closes the door to the possibility of there being a deeper significance to something than just what our limited senses can detect.
Nonetheless, literal thinking is important in our lives. List an example in which literal thinking is necessary: Reading the newspaper Reading instructions on how to take your medication
Symbolic Thinking: There s more than meets the eye! The symbolic thinker sees things in relationship to all other things and as having meaning at several different levels. Symbolic thinking is very necessary. Without it we could not talk about our emotional, intellectual, moral and spiritual experiences all of which defy description in concrete terms.
Think of 2 statements that only have meaning when stated symbolically. Then think about how meaningless these statements are when interpreted literally. It s raining cats and dogs! I m so hungry I could eat a horse! When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
Use of Symbols Many different societies have used symbols to convey the purpose of certain organizations
Use of Symbols Symbols have been used by the church since the earliest ages for many reasons: As a secret form of communication between the faithful during times of persecution As a means of teaching biblical truths to those unable to read As a means of memorializing God s divine involvement on human history.
Common Christian Symbols This Christian symbol was created hundreds of year ago due to the threat of death when the church was under intense persecution. A believer would draw half of the fish in the dirt and another would complete the drawing in order to communicate their shared faith. The symbol itself may have come from the miraculous story of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. The story may be seen as a metaphor for the free gift of salvation given to us by Jesus through his death.
FIRE Passages in the bible where it can be found Moses and God in form of burning bush God leads the Hebrew slaves out of the desert as a pillar of fire Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles as tongues of fire on Pentecost day Fire used to represent Hell MEANING Awesome power A calling
WATER Passages in the bible where it can be found Noah and the Flood Baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana Jesus walks on water Parting of the Red Sea MEANING Purification, cleansing Passage from something old into something new
WHEAT/BREAD Passages in the bible where it can be found Jesus feeds 500 by multiplying 5 loaves of bread Jesus transforms bread into his body at the Last Supper Israelites make unleavened bread before leaving Egypt MEANING Spiritual Nourishment which will bring us eternal salvation
WINE Passages in the bible where it can be found Jesus transforms water into wine at the wedding at Cana Jesus transforms wine into his blood at the Last Supper MEANING Spiritual nourishment which will bring us eternal salvation
KEYS Passages in the bible where it can be found Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of Heaven when Peter answered Jesus question with the correct answer You are the Messiah, the son of God MEANING Authority to open and close
OIL Passages in the bible where it can be found When Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel When a female sinner anointed Jesus feet with oils and washed his feet with her hair. MEANING Anointing Healing
DOVE Passages in the bible where it can be found Dove delivered olive branch to Noah so that Noah could realize that the flood had ended. Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles as tongues of fire on Pentecost 5o days after Jesus rose form the dead. MEANING Peace New Life
CHI RHO Significance The chi rho is formed by superimposing the first two capital letters X = Chi and P = Rho of the Greek word for Christ XP ITO The A represents alpha and the upside down horseshoe represents omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. MEANING Priesthood of Jesus Recognition of Jesus as God who is the beginning and end of all.
INRI Passages in the bible where it can be found These Latin letters stand for the inscription that Pontius Pilate placed on Jesus cross: Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum MEANING Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews
LAMB Passages in the bible where it can be found Blood of the lamb placed on the door posts of the Israelites so that the Angel of Death would pass over their house and spare their first born children from death. MEANING Represents Jesus, who sacrificed himself for our sins
RITUALS: Actions Serving as Symbols Rituals are symbolic actions that help us to physically express our beliefs and values. Like symbols, rituals help to express those things which are difficult to put into words. Humans do not need rituals in order to survive. The importance of rituals stems from the fact that the activity binds its participants together and gives expression to their identity as a family, community or as a people.
RITUALS VS ROUTINES The term ritual is often confused with the term routine because an action that is repeated often is usually called a ritual. Routines are one-dimensional in meaning whereas rituals have deeper, multilevel meanings. Example: which can be considered a ritual? Blinking your eye or winking your eye?
Why are Rituals Important? Rituals are a celebration of life. They are a break from the mundane world. Sometimes a ritual must be taken away in order for us to realize just how important it really is. List some important rituals:
Unfortunately many gestures and actions that people perform regularly as rituals become so familiar that the distinction between the practical (routine) and the symbolic (ritual) can be blurred. Of the rituals listed on the previous page, which ones can become routines if we let them?
CHARACTERISTICS OF RITUALS In order to consider a particular event or celebration as a ritual it must at least possess 4 out of the 8 following characteristics: Use the following characteristics to prove that a birthday is a ritual.
1. Rituals display symbolic movements and gestures Rituals involve movements and gestures which convey meaning. Ex. Shaking hands Kissing Waving goodbye Clapping hands
2. Repeated Action Rituals are often repeated mostly because, as symbolic actions rich in meaning for us, they are worth doing more than once. Sometimes the meaning of the ritual is in the repetition itself.
3. Symbolic Actions/Gestures Many rituals consist of symbolic images and gestures that are connected to the deeper significance of the ritual itself
4. Important Event Rituals are usually connected to important events in people s lives. Many rituals formalize our firsts. Other rituals such as anniversaries, graduations or award ceremonies are done to induct someone into a community.
5. Significant Words Rituals often include words that explain the significance of the action. In rituals words are said to support the actions. Because a ritual is a physical activity that engages the senses, its power can be diminished by wordiness or excessive explanation.
6. Linkages to the Past Certain rituals speak to people about their past, reminding them of who they are. Certain rituals are performed in an attempt to relive the event (ie. Passover)
7. Communal Actions Rituals involve a whole group of people at once. In rituals people come together to celebrate being a community with an identity.
8. Participation not Observation People make rituals happen by participating in them. A sports event wouldn t be the same without a crowd cheering.