Cultural icon
 |
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (March 2008) |
A cultural icon is an object or person that is regarded as having a special status as particularly representative of, or important to, or loved by, a particular group of people, a place, or a historical period. Cultural icons may be national, regional or related to a city, or may relate to a specific grouping such as fans of a particular sport, a social group, a political party, or almost any social or cultural grouping.
John Wayne, Michael Jordan, Elvis Presley, Hulk Hogan Marilyn Monroe and Britney Spears are examples of broadly national American cultural icons, along with the game of baseball. Also, U.S. President John F. Kennedy has a political iconic status.
The symbols of popular culture have the power to captivate the imagination.[1] They not only affect people personally, but sometimes also have a massive impact and affect millions of people around the world. A cultural icon is also irreplaceable, incomparable and timeless. In many aspects, they represent a nation or a certain culture. Hollywood, McDonald's, Las Vegas, Barbie, Mickey Mouse, Disney, New York, Coca Cola, Levi's, etc. are cultural icons of the United States that have a major influence on the American culture and the world. Many movies have also achieved a great status as international cult films.
(Obviously the original author of this article sees the term 'Cultural Icon' as exclusively a product of the USA. The rest of us have neither culture or icons?)