The Components of The Components of Culture:Culture:SymbolsSymbols

Definition:Definition:

• A symbol is A symbol is anything that anything that represents represents something else.something else.

Symbols exist for Symbols exist for countries…countries…

• Each of the Each of the following symbols following symbols is associated with a is associated with a particular country particular country or region of the or region of the world.world.

• Do you know what Do you know what this is?this is?

How about this?How about this?

Or this?Or this?

Do you know where this is Do you know where this is from?from?

Or this?Or this?

Some symbols are widely Some symbols are widely recognized…recognized…

Others are common, but not Others are common, but not global.global.

Do you think someone who Do you think someone who wasn’t an American would wasn’t an American would understand these?understand these?

Do you, as an American, know Do you, as an American, know what these symbols represent?what these symbols represent?

Remember that the same Remember that the same symbol is rarely used globally.symbol is rarely used globally.

• For example, an For example, an American might American might say that this is a say that this is a symbol of prestige:symbol of prestige:

But in other parts of the world, But in other parts of the world, these are also prestige these are also prestige symbols.symbols.

How might these be signs of prestige?

Even a person can be a Even a person can be a symbol.symbol.

Sometimes a symbol seems Sometimes a symbol seems simple enough, such as a flag.simple enough, such as a flag.

What does this flag represent?

But even one symbol can have But even one symbol can have several different meanings.several different meanings.

SometimesSometimes

it it

dependsdepends

on theon the

situationsituation

in whichin which

the symbolthe symbol

is used.is used.

What do these flags What do these flags symbolize?symbolize?

Symbols can also be Symbols can also be controversial.controversial.

Why might this symbol be Why might this symbol be contested around the world?contested around the world?

What does this symbol represent?

Gestures are another type of Gestures are another type of symbol.symbol.

• How many gestures do you know for How many gestures do you know for the following ideas?the following ideas?

• ““We won!”We won!”

• ““You’re late!”You’re late!”

• ““Go away.”Go away.”

• ““I’m full.”I’m full.”

What ideas are being What ideas are being communicated by these communicated by these

gestures?gestures?Do

you

think

these mean

the same

thing in

all

places?

To Summarize:To Summarize:

• Symbols represent something else.Symbols represent something else.

• A symbol can be a sign, a place, a A symbol can be a sign, a place, a gesture, or even a person.gesture, or even a person.

• A symbol can be local, regional, A symbol can be local, regional, national, or international.national, or international.

• Each culture has its own unique Each culture has its own unique symbols.symbols.

• Symbols are often controversial.Symbols are often controversial.