Symbolism 101

By Allison Jones

Symbolism is something that often goes over our heads in this modern age.  We tend to expect language to always be literal.  But literature, both secular and religious, from earlier times is full of symbols.  One of these books that is still read by millions is the Bible.  Most of its stories are better understood and new layers of meaning are exposed if the symbols employed by the authors are recognized.  The myths of many cultures make more sense when one considers what the events and characters may have symbolized to their adherents.

Alonzo L. Gaskill has written a book to help us understand what some of these symbols meant when they were used.  His focus is on symbols in the Bible, but the Bible has greatly influenced western society.   The book is The Lost Language of Symbolism: An Essential Guide for Recognizing and Interpreting Symbols of the Gospel.  It is available through Deseret Book and there is a copy in the public library.  Gaskill has also written several other books on symbolism.

In this book he looks at symbolic meanings of body parts, clothing, colors, numbers, people, names, and animals.  The symbolism behind many of the Mosaic laws is fascinating.  I had never before thought of the dietary requirements as being more than arbitrary.  But a look at what the different animals may represent reveals a new level of meaning.  For quick reference there is a table in the back for a summary of all the symbols discussed in the book.

Gaskill received a Master’s Degree in theology and a Ph.D. in biblical studies and has taught religious education classes at the University of California and Idaho State University.  He is currently assistant professor of church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University.  While he is a professional scholar, he uses language that is easily understood by everyone and uses footnotes to refer the reader to more detailed works or other supporting works by other scholars.  One that I was interested in was on the symbolism of hands.  Gaskill wrote that the different parts of the hand and the position that they are also have more specific meanings but he didn’t go into them.  Instead he referenced the work of another scholar who wrote about that topic.  

Symbolism is an intricate part of communication.  It adds depth to writing and allows one to say much with fewer words.  It was common in the past, but modern people don’t use it as much.  Metaphor is still used and it is symbolic language.  The only difficulty is understanding the associations those of the past connected with the things used as symbols and this book is a beginning to understanding.