Religious symbolism
Row 1: Bahá'í Faith, Buddhism
Row 2: Christianity, Chinese folk religion, Hinduism, Islam
Row 3: Jainism, Judaism, Paganism, Shinto
Row 4: Sikhism, Taoism
Religious symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork, events, or natural phenomena, by a religion. Religions view religious texts, rituals, and works of art as symbols of compelling ideas or ideals. Symbols help create a resonant mythos expressing the moral values of the society or the teachings of the religion, foster solidarity among adherents, and bring adherents closer to their object of worship.
The study of religious symbolism is either universalist, as a component of comparative religion and mythology, or in localized scope, within the confines of a religion's limits and boundaries.
Religious symbolism is effective when it appeals to both the intellect and the emotions. The choice of suitable acts and objects for symbolism is narrow enough that it would not be easy to avoid the appearance of an imitation of other traditions, even if there had been a deliberate attempt to invent an entirely new ritual.[1]
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Religious symbols[edit]
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A number of these are represented in Unicode.
See also[edit]
- Religion in national symbols
- French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools
- Religious symbolism of unity of opposites
- United States military chaplain symbols
References[edit]
- ^ Baer, Hans A. (1998). William H. Swatos, Jr, ed. Encyclopedia of Religion and Society - Entry for Symbols. Walnut Creek, CA, USA: AltaMira Press. p. 504. ISBN 0761989560. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
External links[edit]
Media related to Religious symbol at Wikimedia Commons
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