Chinese culture is one of the most ancient and complex ones in the world. Even today, many Chinese values are derived from Taoism, Confucianism, and other ancient Chinese philosophies. As a result, Chinese history is riddled with innumerable symbols that carry multiple meanings and have profound influence in the culture. Below is a list of …
Ancient Symbols
Throughout history, symbols have served as a vehicle for humankind to better facilitate their understanding of the wilder world around them. Each civilization, culture, and time period has brought with it its own symbols representing various concepts, ideologies, and natural phenomena. Among these have been those symbols associated with positive human traits. In this article, …
It is said that that a picture is worth a thousand words. In an attempt to better and more quickly convey complex abstracts, ideas, and concepts, people of various cultures have made use of signs and symbols. And this too goes in the case of emotions such as joy, merriment, and happiness. In this article, …
The entire history of humankind can be best summed up as a dialectic of control and helplessness. People have always sought to control others and nature, but have never really managed success in this pursuit. In their state of helplessness, they have sought refuge in the supernatural as a means to regain a sense of …
Perhaps the most popular mythical creature, the dragon is a highly complex symbol with various meanings in different cultures. Typically depicted as a large beast with serpentine and reptilian traits, the dragon may also have features of other animals as well as humans. In Christianity, the dragon is a symbol of evil and sin. In …
In ancient times, the concept of religion was widely different from what is considered religion today. Religion did not have a separate and distinct role and people did not operate independently of their religious beliefs in a secular society. Instead, religion was fully integrated into the lives of the commoners, gentry, nobility, and even the …
It is estimated that in only 8 percent of recorded history have humans been entirely free of conflict. (1) Yet, the concept of war and aggression as we know and understand could not have existed without us having first conceptualized peace. Throughout the ages, various cultures and societies have come to employ different symbols to …
Natural disasters, diseases, vicious wildlife, and conflicts – humans have always known the world to be a dangerous and frightening place. Where physical protection could not be guaranteed, people have often come to seek safety in the supernatural – rituals, incantations, and symbols. The third, being the oldest practice and most universally featured in all …
Throughout history, humanity had made use of analogies and symbols as a better means to communicate complex ideas and concepts. By associating the intelligible or incomprehensible with what is already known, the former became easier to interpret. Such has been the practice with societies trying to define human traits as well. In this article, we …
Symbols can serve as powerful visual means to communicate and link various ideas and concepts. Since the beginning of mankind’s history, symbols have served as evocative vehicles of the conception of all human knowledge. Strength and power, the capacity to exert great force or resist it, has been among the most primordial of understood concepts …
The theme of rebirth always surrounds us. Over time, through cultivation, we learned that plants that die in winter come alive in spring, symbolizing death and rebirth. Our ancient ancestors have also recognized themselves in this pattern of nature, believing that human beings, too, are reborn in some form when they die. Below are 14 …
Throughout history, symbolism has been used as a means to convey meaning and instill emotions in a way that an outright explanation cannot achieve. Across ancient cultures, we can find a plentitude of engagement in symbolism, including in the depiction and means of acquiring wisdom. Presented below are some of the most well-known and important …