Religious symbolism

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 symbols

A number of these are represented in Unicode.

Evolutionary perspectives

Religious symbolism may have a long history that could be over 100,000 years old. Ritual burials with grave goods are often interpreted as early human use of religious symbolism.

See also

• French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools
• Religious symbolism of unity of opposites
• Symbolism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• United States military chaplain symbols

References

• United States Veteran's Administration approved religious symbols for graves

External links

Media related to Religious symbol at Wikimedia Commons