Lesson 4: Cultural/Social Symbols and Practices

Flashcards covering vocabulary, types of symbols, and specific Filipino cultural, social, political, and economic practices as outlined in the module.

Culture

Defined as a society’s way of life.

Society

An organized group of interdependent people who share a common territory, language, and culture.

Symbol

Anything that meaningfully represents something; an object, word, or action that stands for something else without a natural relationship.

Practices

To carry out or perform a particular activity, method, or custom habitually or regularly.

Symbolism

When something represents abstract ideas or concepts; it assigns names, denomination, and defines relations between various articulated elements.

Cultural Symbols

Manifestation that signifies ideology of a particular culture that has meaning within that culture.

Social Symbols

Related to human societies and its modes of organization, such as social classes, social problems, and social issues.

Political Symbols

Used to represent political standpoint; seen in forms such as banners, flags, and mottos.

Economic Symbols

Symbols used in the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services like currency, market, labor, and demands.

Christian Cross

Traditionally a symbol representing Christianity as a whole and is the best-known symbol of Christianity.

Star and crescent

Symbols used in the flag of the Ottoman Empire from 1844, gradually associated with Islam in the late 19th century.

Star of David

A symbol representing the Jewish community, first recorded as such in Vienna in the 17th century CE.

Status Symbol

A visible, external denotation of one’s social position or indicator of one’s social or economic status.

Political Dynasties

The concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation of public office and political power by persons related to one another.

Palakasan system

A system of getting an advantage when having or knowing someone powerful from an office who can recommend you.

Trapo

A term referring to Traditional Politics.

Alkansya

A traditional Filipino way of saving money using bamboo as a vault until it is full.

Paluwagan

A group savings practice where people agree to give money to a manager who cycles the funds throughout the group.

Albularyo

A practitioner in traditional medical practices who uses herbal medicines and home remedies.

Mano po

An honoring-gesture used as a sign of respect to elders and as a way of requesting a blessing.

Bayanihan

The spirit of helping one another, especially in times of need, without expecting anything in return.

Pasaguli

A Palawan courtship practice where parents deliver love riddles to assess sentiments and settle a dowry.

Harana

A courtship practice where men woo a lady by serenading underneath her window at night.

Paninilbihan

The act of giving presents to a woman's family and visiting consistently as part of courtship.

Kamayan

The act of eating food with your hands with other people, also known as salu-salo.

Pasalubong

A quasi-sacred ritual involving a gift brought home from a journey.