Interpretation of Symbols

Symbols And The Interpretation of Symbols Two wileicles by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy Reprinted from Studies in Comparative form religion* Symbols SYMBOLS1 and signs, whether verbal, musical, dramatic or plastic, be means of communication. The references of tokens are to ideas and those of signs to things. iodine and the same term may be image or sign according to its context: the cross, for example, is a symbolization when it represents the construction of the universe, but a sign when it stands for crossroads. Symbols and signs may be each inhering (true, by innate propriety) or schematic (arbitrary and accidental) traditionalistic or private. With the expression of signs, employed indicatively in risque language and in realistic and negligent art, we sh wholly have no really concern in the present connection. By abstracted art we mean such modern art as will respectabley avoids recognisable representation, as distinguished from principial art, the course exemp lary language of tradition. The language of traditional artscripture, epic, folklore, ritual, and all the related to craftsis symbolic; and being a language of natural symbols, neither of private invention, nor established by conciliar agreement or mere custom, is a universal language.

The symbol is the material embodiment, in sound, shape, likeness or gesture as the case may be, of the imitable fix of an idea to be communicated, which imitable form is the formal pay off of the fit of art itself. It is for the sake of the idea, and not for its own sake, that the symbol exists: an true(a) form much be either symbolic - of its reference, or merely an unintelligible shape to be lik! ed or disliked according to taste. The greater part of modern esthetics assumes (as the words aesthetic and empathy imply) that art lies or should live solely of such unintelligible shapes, and that the appreciation of art consists or should consist in appropriate emotional reactions. It is further assumed that some(prenominal) is of imperishable value in...If you want to get a full essay, point it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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