AP English Lit - General Symbolism

Flashcards about Symbolism in Literature

Spring

A season between winter and summer characterized by warmer temperatures, longer days, growth of plant life, and rain. Figuratively, it represents rebirth, renewal, and youth.

Summer

The warmest season with the longest days between spring and autumn. Figuratively, it represents young adulthood, passion, and young romance.

Autumn

A season between summer and winter, marked by cooling temperatures. Figuratively, it represents change, foreshadowing of turmoil, reflection, and maturity.

Winter

The coldest season of the year. Figuratively, it symbolizes death, the end of a cycle, internal struggle, sadness, and sorrow.

Easter

A Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Figuratively, it symbolizes resurrection, new life, and the triumph of life over death, hope of salvation.

Christmas

A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Figuratively, it is a symbol of generosity, kindness, and hope.

Light

A form of illumination. Figuratively, it represents knowledge, truth, hope, happiness, goodness, life, and enlightenment.

Darkness

The full absence of light. Figuratively, it represents evil, ignorance, death, mystery, chaos, fear, despair, and depression.

Apple

A rounded, edible fruit. Figuratively, it symbolizes temptation, knowledge, the fall of man, and sin.

Weeds

A valueless plant growing wild. Figuratively, it symbolizes neglect, devastation, disorder, resilience, and bravery.

Flowers

The bloom or blossom of a plant. Figuratively, it mirrors human life and can represent innocence and purity.

Rose

A prickly bush or shrub that grows fragrant flowers. Figuratively, it symbolizes love, royalty, beauty, passion, romance, and mystery.

Ocean/Sea

Large bodies of water. Figuratively, it symbolizes formlessness, the unfathomable, chaos, stability, boundlessness, and journeys.

Willow Tree

A deciduous tree with slender, drooping branches. Figuratively, it symbolizes grief, mourning, spirituality, rebirth, and vitality.

Fog/Mist

A thick layer of cloud at the surface. Figuratively, it symbolizes confusion, disorientation, mystery, uncertainty, obscurity, hidden truths, and a sense of being lost.

Rain

Water falling in drops from clouds. Figuratively, it symbolizes renewal, cleansing, fertility, abundance, sadness, and grief.

Wind/Storms

Weather event with strong winds. Figuratively, it symbolizes intense emotions, significant change, turmoil, or turbulent situations.

Lightning

A large spark of electricity. Figuratively, it symbolizes sudden revelation, divine power, transformation, and punishment.

Thunder

A sound caused by lightning. Figuratively, it often represents the voice of God, divine power, and judgment.

Dawn

The first appearance of light in the morning. Figuratively, represents a new beginning, hope, renewal, and spiritual awakening.

Dusk

The transition from day to night. Figuratively, it symbolizes transition, uncertainty, impermanence, and reflection.

East

The direction from which the sun rises. Figuratively, it symbolizes new beginnings, wisdom, and mystery.

West

The direction of a sunset. Figuratively, it symbolizes endings, adventure, and the unknown.

Sun

The star at the center of the solar system. Figuratively, it represents life, energy, enlightenment, and renewal.

Moon

Earth's only natural satellite. Figuratively, it symbolizes mystery, feminine energy, time, reflection.

Mountains

Rock landforms that rise above their surroundings. Figuratively, they represent constancy, eternity, firmness, stillness, challenges, and the quest of life.

Dove

Smaller members of the pigeon family. Figuratively, they symbolize hope, peace, and love.

Lamb

A sheep that is less than one year old. Figuratively, it symbolizes innocence, purity, and sacrifice.

Fox

Omnivorous mammals in the canine family. Figuratively, they symbolize cunning, trickery, playfulness, adaptability, and intelligence.

Raven

A large, glossy-black bird. Figuratively, it symbolizes transformation, prophecy, wisdom, and guidance.

Lion

A large, powerful cat. Figuratively, it symbolizes invincibility, courage, nobility, royalty, justice, power, and might.

Forest

A large area of land filled with trees. Figuratively, they symbolize mystery, spirituality, the unconscious, healing, and transformation.

Desert

A dry region of land with little rainfall. Figuratively, it symbolizes transformation, isolation, and the search for meaning.

Window

An opening in a wall that lets light and air pass through. Figuratively, it symbolizes freedom, exploration, and the transition between worlds.

Door

A barrier that opens and closes. Figuratively, it symbolizes transition, choice, protection, and new beginnings.

Candle

A cylinder or block of wax with a wick that is lit. Figuratively, it symbolizes hope, light, and spiritual connection.

Circle

A round-shaped figure. Figuratively, it symbolizes wholeness, unity, perfection, infinity, and the cycle of time.

Fire

A process of combustion that gives off light, heat, and flame. Figuratively, it symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, power, purification, rebirth, and destruction.

Clock/Time

The progression of events from past to future. Figuratively, it symbolizes mortality, the passage of life, change, and the struggle between control and fate.