This document discusses symbolism and common symbolic archetypes. It explains that symbolism uses something to represent another meaning beyond the literal. Common symbolic archetypes evoke strong associations because of their familiarity, such as light representing hope while darkness implies mystery or despair. Other examples of symbolic archetypes provided are water symbolizing fertility versus a desert representing loss, and fire bringing life versus ice creating death.

1. Symbolism

2. What is Symbolism?
Anything that stands for something other than
its literal meaning.
Example:
Literal meaning: organ in the body
Symbolic meaning: love, passion, romance

3. Symbolic Archetypes
Symbols that are most commonly used and
evokes strong associations to the reader or
observer because it is familiar.

4. Symbolic Archetypes:
Light vs. Darkness
Light suggests hope, renewal, or
enlightenment
Darkness implies mystery, ignorance, or
despair

5. Light vs. Darkness
Example:
’

6. Symbolic Archetypes:
Water vs. Desert
• Water appears as a symbol of fertility and
birth
• Water may symbolize a spiritual birth or
the beginning of something
• A Desert typically represents a loss of life,
hope, or faith

7. Water vs. Desert
Example:
Water brings about hope for new
life and spirituality.
A desert might bring about
loss of life, faith, or hope.

8. Heaven vs. Hell
Example:
Typically Heaven is also
associated with light and
nature.
Hell is often associated with
fire, demons, evil, and the
unknown places of earth.

9. Symbolic Archetypes:
Fire vs. Ice
• Typically, fire represents knowledge, light,
life, fertility and (re)birth
• Ice will usually represent a deserted place,
ignorance, sterility, and death

10. Fire vs. Ice
Example:
Fire and Ice constantly battle for life…or death.

11. Death & Rebirth
Examples Continued
Winter, cold, and night suggest old age
and the idea of death

12. Death & Rebirth Examples

13. Symbolic Archetypes
• Let’s Review. Symbolic •
Archetypes represent a
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specific person, act,
deed, place or conflict. •
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• Symbolic
Archetypes •
Include: •
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