Symbolism in ArtSymbolism in Art

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Creative people often hide the Creative people often hide the meaning of their art so that you meaning of their art so that you have to ‘work out’ the meaning like have to ‘work out’ the meaning like a puzzle.a puzzle.

Using symbols in your work makes Using symbols in your work makes your work intelligent and thought your work intelligent and thought provoking.provoking.

Look at the painting on the next Look at the painting on the next slide. It appears to very straight slide. It appears to very straight forward doesn’t it?forward doesn’t it?

Symbolism

Skull = Life and deathSkull = Life and deathViolet; wisdom, self-mastery and Violet; wisdom, self-mastery and

spiritual attainment. spiritual attainment. Water = lifeWater = lifeMusic = pleasure, happinessMusic = pleasure, happinessBook = knowledgeBook = knowledgeSea shell = wealthSea shell = wealthSword = Struggle, battlesSword = Struggle, battlesCrucifix = faithCrucifix = faith

But the painting is hiding some other meanings

Here are some more symbolsHere are some more symbolsBlack BirdsBlack Birds = unbeliever; death = unbeliever; deathFlowersFlowers = passion (red); purity = passion (red); purity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); (red and white = death)(yellow); (red and white = death)CatsCats = spiritual power and freedom or = spiritual power and freedom or love of libertylove of libertyEggsEggs = creation = creationFishFish = Immortality and the source of = Immortality and the source of life. life. FlamesFlames = fires of hell = fires of hellEarsEars = gossip = gossipFruitFruit = carnal pleasure = carnal pleasureDogsDogs = loyal, faithful, honest, fight = loyal, faithful, honest, fight injustice.injustice.BooksBooks = Learning, knowledge = Learning, knowledgeKnivesKnives = punishment of evil = punishment of evil

Sea-ShellsSea-Shells = Wealth, protection = Wealth, protection against evilagainst evilOwlOwl = great learning = great learningPigPig = Gluttony = Gluttony Mirror Mirror = Truth or Vanity = Truth or VanityRatRat = Lies or wisdom = Lies or wisdomCandle or ClockCandle or Clock = Time, faith in God = Time, faith in God DoveDove = Love and peace. = Love and peace. HorseHorse = willingness to work and = willingness to work and independence. independence. SnakeSnake = danger, charm and sexual = danger, charm and sexual energy energy SpiderSpider = creativity and the linking of = creativity and the linking of past and future. past and future. TreeTree = Life, earth, = Life, earth, wisdom, hope, wisdom, hope,

Colours have meaning too!!!Colours have meaning too!!!

Red; The color meanings of red includes Red; The color meanings of red includes passion, pleasure, desire, danger, violence.passion, pleasure, desire, danger, violence.

Orange; The color meanings of orange are Orange; The color meanings of orange are creativity, creativity, confidence, intuition, friendliness, intuition, friendlinessYellow; The color meanings of yellow are Yellow; The color meanings of yellow are enthusiasm, cheerfulness, sense of humor, fun, enthusiasm, cheerfulness, sense of humor, fun, optimism and intellectuality.optimism and intellectuality.

Green; The color meanings of green are Green; The color meanings of green are patience, growth and healing. patience, growth and healing.

Blue; The color meanings of blue are freedom, Blue; The color meanings of blue are freedom, strength and new beginnings. Blue skies mean strength and new beginnings. Blue skies mean optimism and better opportunities. Blue is optimism and better opportunities. Blue is cooling and relaxing. Blue symbolizes water, the cooling and relaxing. Blue symbolizes water, the source of life. source of life.

Can you think of any modern symbols Can you think of any modern symbols that relate to YOUR life? Write them that relate to YOUR life? Write them down.down.

ActivityActivity

Create a piece of art that Create a piece of art that incorporates signs and incorporates signs and symbols in it. symbols in it.