What Is a Symbol?
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something else. It can be a physical object such as a cross or star of David, which represent Christianity and Judaism respectively. Symbols can also take the form of words, sounds, gestures, ideas or visual images. They are often used to convey complex concepts and emotions in ways that are easier for people to understand than literal descriptions would be. For example, the American flag is a powerful symbol of freedom and patriotism throughout the United States.
Symbols have been used since ancient times to communicate messages without using language. In many cultures symbols were believed to possess magical powers; they could bring good luck or ward off evil spirits depending on how they were interpreted by those who saw them. Today symbols still play an important role in communication; from logos representing companies to national flags signifying countries’ identities around the world – symbols remain one of our most effective tools for conveying meaning quickly and easily across different languages and cultures.