Signs and Symbols In Art
This article will help you understand the purpose of symbolism in art and how to “read” the story that is being told by the artist.
Art history can be extremely fascinating if you know what to look for and have a basic knowledge of what’s going on.
What Is Symbolism In Art?
The use of metaphors or symbols to represent a subject matter that would otherwise be difficult to illustrate. Using symbols in art can produce a larger impact or make it more significant.
Common examples of symbols used in art are a four-leaf clover to symbolize good luck. Or a rose to symbolize romance or love.
There are many other commonly used symbols and we’ll explore those in this article.
How a particular piece of art is interpreted will depend primarily on the viewer and their background. The artist’s intention and the viewer’s interpretation may not be the same. And that’s perfectly ok
The Importance of Symbolism in Art
When symbols are used in art, the work becomes much more interesting and impactful. There’s more to interpret, and a bigger impact can be made. Have you ever gone to an art museum and seen people standing in front of a painting for what seems like hours? They are interpreting the meaning of the painting or work of art.
Art tells a story, and the symbols included are like a treasure hunt. They can spark your imagination and creativity. When you know they’re there, you can look for them in every work of art. They make it so much more fun!
Commonly Used Symbols In Art
The following is a list of commonly used symbols in art. One thing to keep in mind is that there are multiple meanings for just about every symbol. And, these meanings have evolved over time.
There are many more than what is here, but the goal is to get you used to the idea that symbols have been used in art for a very long time. And to understand that there may be more going on in a painting than what you realized.
Skulls – as I’m sure you have already guessed, a skull represents death.
Purple Clothing – this represents royalty or wealth.
Candles – a lit candle symbolizes truth and knowledge. And an extinguished candle represents loss and death.
Candles represent the passing of time and can also be used to show a timeline. This is accomplished by how far down the candle has burnt.
Books – as you can imagine, books represent a higher educational status, knowledge, and learning.
Flowers – a symbol of growth and life. A blooming bouquet of flowers can symbolize power and growth. Wilting flowers, on the other hand, signify loss.
Individual types of flowers have their own meaning. A red rose signifies love and romance. While a white flower represents purity and forgiveness.
Palms – symbolize victory and peace.
Musical Instruments – often used to show off the wealth of a patron, but they also represent celebration and leisure. This is no surprise since music is usually a big part of any celebration or party.
Shells – oysters, scallop shells, and seashells were often seen in Dutch still life paintings. They were used to symbolize good fortune and purity. Seashells are used to represent love and fertility.
They are often referred to as the blessed gifts of the sea.
Mirrors – these were often used to show self-admiration or vanity. Especially since they were typically found only in the homes of the wealthy. The reflection seen in a mirror can reveal a hidden truth or expose a lie.
A broken mirror is a sign of bad luck, much like how we feel about them today.
Butterflies – because they undergo metamorphosis, butterflies represent resurrection, hope, life, and transformation. They can also symbolize joy and freedom.
Dragonflies – these are the opposite of the butterfly and are used to symbolize death.
Insects – used to depict decay and death. They have also been used to show greed.
Eagle – they symbolize strength.
River – eternal change and flowing
Sun – life and strength
Final Thoughts
Now that you have a better understanding of how symbols are used in art and what some of them mean, you’ll probably view artwork in a different way. Viewing and analyzing the meanings of famous works of art is quite enjoyable.
Give it a try the next time you go to an art museum.
More Art Tutorials
- Gift Ideas for Artists
- Why Art for Art’s Sake is An Amazing Concept
- Inspiring Art Themes to Spark Your Creativity
- Form, an Element of Art
