Symbolism in Literature

These flashcards provide definitions for various symbols and their meanings in literature and culture.

Snake

Represents evil, temptation, hidden danger, and slyness.

Lamb

Symbolizes innocence and sacrifice.

Bear

Represents financial losses in economics/finance.

Bull

Symbolizes bravery and financial gain in economics/finance.

Butterfly

Represents change, life cycle, death, and temporality.

Eagle

Symbolizes power, freedom, and valor.

Birds

Represent freedom, hope, and transcendence.

Caged birds

Symbolize imprisonment, confinement, entrapment, and oppression.

Elephant

Represents memory and the Republican Party in politics.

Owl

Symbolizes wisdom and keen perception.

Donkey

Represents stubbornness and the Democrat Party in politics.

Fox

Symbolizes slyness, cleverness, and intelligence.

Lion

Represents courage and authority.

Monkey

Symbolizes silliness and fun.

Dragons

Represent evil and magic.

Raven

Symbolizes death.

Vulture

Symbolizes death.

Hawk

Symbolizes war and aggression.

Mouse

Represents shyness.

Stars

Symbolize fate, the future, hope, and magic.

Rivers

Represent the passage of time.

Ocean waves/Tides

Symbolize the passage of time, constancy, and regularity.

Mountains

Represent a challenge.

Seed

Symbolizes growth, possibility, and a beginning.

Stone/Rock

Represents endurance, stability, and strength.

Moon

Symbolizes madness, wildness, and magic.

Rose

Represents beauty and love.

Four-leafed clover

Symbolizes luck.

Water

Represents purity, life, and cleansing.

Wind

Symbolizes change.

Sunshine/Sun

Represents hope and optimism.

Storm

Symbolizes trouble and danger.

Tree

Represents knowledge, life, and family roots.

Forest

Symbolizes danger and the unknown and not seeing the entire picture.

Light

Represents knowledge, awareness, goodness, and safety.

Darkness

Symbolizes ignorance and hidden danger.

White

Represents surrender, peace, innocence, and purity.

Black

Symbolizes evil, danger, and the unknown.

Red

Represents passion, love, and anger.

Blue

Symbolizes sadness, loneliness, and calmness.

Yellow

Represents cowardliness and fear.

Green

Symbolizes envy, growth, and sustainability.

Purple

Represents royalty.

Circle

Symbolizes unity and infinity.

Spring

Represents rebirth and new beginnings.

Summer

Symbolizes youth.

Fall

Represents adulthood.

Winter

Symbolizes old age.

Night

Represents evil, danger, and the unknown.

Sunrise

Symbolizes possibility, hope, and new beginnings.

Sunset

Represents the end, death, and closure.

Light bulb

Symbolizes an idea and intelligence.

Eyes

Represent knowledge and true identity.

Mirror

Symbolizes self-knowledge.

Clock

Represents temporality, aging, and fate.

Candle

Symbolizes hope, memory, and peace.

Glasses

Represent knowledge, understanding, and clarity.

Skeleton

Symbolizes death and danger.

Road

Represents a journey.

V sign

Symbolizes victory and peace.

Skull and crossbones

Represents danger and poison.

Triangular interlocking arrows

Symbolizes environmentalism and conservation.

Peace sign

Represents nuclear disarmament.

Ying-Yang

Symbolizes balance and complementarity.

Dollar Sign

Represents money and prosperity.

Lemniscate

Symbolizes infinity and endlessness.