Hello All,
Anthony Stevens (1998) explicates the relationship between symbols and archetypes when he writes "Symbols can thus be understood as metaphors for archetypal needs and intentions or expressions of basic archetypal patterns. Every individual, every family, every community, and every nation will produce symbols appropriate to its circumstances but, for all their apparent variety, they are based on similar structural configurations which are ultimately inherent in the human mind-brain" (p. 37).
Your assignment for today is to describe one of these symbols that plays a role in your life; choose a significant photograph, artwork, or item on a shelf in a room of your house. This image or item should be significant to you. Next, describe what this image/item symbolizes in general and then what it symbolizes to you.
I'll give you an example.
Here is a painting that hangs above the fireplace in my home: it is a nightscape with a full moon. According to Anthony Stevens, the moon is "our primordial clock" and "represents the consciousness that comes to us in dreams" (p. 136). However, this moon comes with a label that reads "this is not your moon," which implies some sort of exclusion.
This is meaningful to me in that it is one of my first oil paintings, and the line comes from a poem I wrote (called "Where the Jackalope Roam" and published in Pacific Review) in which I criticized our human tendency to try to possess and own things that should not (or cannot) be possessed. Thus, I have this painting on my wall to try to motivate me to be more actively creative in my life and to remind me to be humble, to not try to control life too much.
I am often lazy, and I often try to plan my life too much in advance, so I need all the help I can get with these reminders.
In my room hanging above my desk, I have a photograph by Harvey Edwards entitled "Legwarmers". The photograph shows the calves and feet of a woman clothed in torn legwarmers and old, well-worn ballet shoes. This image is a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and passion.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I took ballet classes for many years. I was not good at it, but I loved it and stuck with it until I fractured my ankle. I saw this same image in my ballet studio every day. I have my own copy now as a reminder to always choose to spend my time doing things I am passionate about. In addition, it encourages me to keep working and pursuing these endeavors, despite any discomfort I might feel along the way.
Kristen Perez
I have a collage of colorful pictures in my room. Most of them consist of crazy makeup models that stand out of the ordinary. This collage symbolizes freedom to me. All the colors in disarray, the collection of pouting, full lips, and the crazy updos help me remember to let loose and be fun. I'm generally an uptight person that sticks to order; so hanging the opposite of that on my wall helps me balance my anal side out!
ReplyDelete~Cassie Marchman
I am going to get a tattoo on my arm of a tribal panther, which represents freedom of oppression and rules. I feel that I am a free spirit that is not tied down to many rules.
ReplyDelete~Kenneth Clark
In my room, there is a GIGANTIC poster of the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I see it every morning when I walk out of my room. The poster reminds me to be an adult, but to still be a little kid at heart, and to never lose my imagination.
ReplyDelete-Sergio Espain
On my room I have a neck brace. This neck brace reminds me that I should live everyday to the fullest. That I should not leave anything for tomorrow because maybe, I would not wake up to see another day. Once already I saw death call me, but I wasn’t ready to leave this world. I had many things unfinished and unaccomplished. So being able to wake up every day, I thank God; seeing the neck brace, reminds me that I have to live everyday as if it were the last one, and most important, let everyone know that I love them. Because maybe next time my life will be taken away by the wheel.
ReplyDelete**Edith Bejar**
In my livingroom there is a Plaque of a man praying with a scripture of Jeremiah 29:13 siting on the coffee table. The image of the man is the reminder to our family of the power of prayer when it is done with all of our heart. The man is kneling on a chair praying ( seeking God by having a personal conversation with him) This position is done seldomly by me, I usualy pray when I get up, go to sleep, drive, walk, ect... but when I am on my knees, it means business. this is the time when I really need to hear from him!
ReplyDeleteThe griffin was used in Greek mythology for the united power over the earth and the sky. The embodied characteristics represent power. The Devine and the earthly combine for the completeness of superiority from each representation of the Lion, Eagle. This image is present in Greek buildings to show the public and everyone who visited was aware of the symbolism of their art. as opposed to the graffiti, where it is able to travel long ways with the message of art and symbolism.
ReplyDeleteI don’t have many paintings or sculptures in my house, but the one that I do have is in my living room. It is a painting called Midsummer Eve by Edward Robert Hughes. It is one of my favorite paintings, and has been since I was a little kid. The painting takes place in the woods, and there is a woman, who I used to picture as the queen of the forest, who is bending down to all the little fairies below her. When I see this painting I am reminded of the innocence of childhood. Not only because this was one of my favorite paintings when I was younger, but because it is typical of every child to dream. I used to wish that I lived in the forest with the queen because I thought she was so beautiful, and the scenery was so calming and peaceful.
ReplyDelete--Rachel Sterling
Brittany Stevens
ReplyDeleteIn my room on my desk I have a globe. The Earth symbolizes life and death and can symbolize fertility. To me, my globe has a totally different meaning. It was a present from my grandpa before he passed away. Now it is a reminder to me of my grandpa and the relationship I had with him.
On my mantle is a family photo. This photo is a symbol my support system and gives me the strength I need to succeed. I usually do my homework and study in the living room where I see this picture, it helps me stay concentrated because I know that I need to make the people in the picture proud.
ReplyDeleteKari-Lyn Doria
In my room, I have a single picture frame that holds twelve different pictures. The pictures are of myself And others during various times of my life. The various photographs are a symbol of my freedom out side of work and school. I work two jobs and attend school so i forget at times that it is important to think of myself and enjoying my youth. I work sevene days a week and forget that I need time for myself to do things that make me happy. The pictures are a symbol of love, happiness, fun, and a life without worries...even if its for just a few hours. It is my time to escape the pressures of everyday life and enjoy life.
ReplyDelete-Jenna Ortiz-
In my living room there is a gigantic clock that my mom used as a decoration. The clock has been in the living room for quite a long time. The clock is significant to me because I use it every day to tell the time of the day and because I see it every day of the week. In general everyone uses the clock to tell time, but for me the clock also symbolizes something else. For me the clock in my living room symbolizes the past because one is unable to relive the past. The clock also symbolizes one's proximity to death because every time the hands in the clock shifts from second to minute to hour are times that one will not be able to live again and stay in the past. Even though some like to think that at some time a time machine will be invented to control time it has not happened yet and I believe that before, now, and in the future a clock will always symbolize the past and one’s proximity to death.
ReplyDeleteNancy Sanchez
In my room I have a photograph of my two brothers and my little sister, ive had this picture of them together since I graduated from high school. Im the first one in my family to attend college, and everytime I wake up and I look at it gives me the strengh to set a good example for them. This picture means alot to me because I feel supported, stronger,happy, and loved because they are the ones that can someday depend on me, besides that I want them to feel proud of to her big sister and follow my example to continue with their education.
ReplyDeleteElvira Alvarez
In my room i have a cork board fill with many pictures and cut outs of various magazines. Each picture tells an important moment or occasion that i lived. To me taking pictures with my friends symbolizes that i have such great people in my life that i wouldnt trade. They are people that have been there for me in the good times and bad times. I also have pictures of places that have a significant meaning in my life. As for the cut outs, they are pictures of what describes me and who I am.
ReplyDeleteRosio Sanchez
In my living room I have a picture of my grandfather over my fireplace. I have that picture in my living room to remind me why I need to continue to be successful. My grandfather passed away this past February and he was the one who taught me that without an education nothing is possible.So everytime I look at his picture reminds me to continue on with school and continue to work hard at whatever I do.
ReplyDeleteTimeshia Womack
In my room I have a canvas painting made by my deceased older brother. This painting is of a burning heart pierced by a sword. There is an eye on the top handle of the sword. Around the heart is a crown made of thorns. The heart seems to be bleeding slightly. On the bottom of the painting is a single word "Truth". This canvas painting is very symbolic to me because it not only has a religious meaning but it makes me think that even though the truth is hard to handle or to live by, one must do it. The eye on the sword reminds me of the all seeing eye found in a dollar bill. Although at first, this painting may frighten some, once one observes it, they become entranced and fascinated by it. The crown of thorns has a religious meaning because it reminds me of Jesus. Overall, this painting strongly influences me to tell the truth and it constantly reminds me that even at times when I do not tell the truth, God will know.
ReplyDeleteFatima Lucio
Since I was in 9th grade I started to collect shot glasses from different trips I would make, and over the year my shot glass collection has grown. My family and friends know of my collection that they even have bought me shot glasses as a souvenir. My shot glass collection has a huge significance to me because each shot glass has its own story. I have shot glass for the first time i rode an airplane from going to theme parks like Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Sea World. For going to baseball stadiums: Anaheim Angels, LA Dodgers and SF Giants. For traveling to different colleges UCSB, Cal Poly Pomona, plus many cities I've visited. Its nice to go back and remember the memory each shot glass has. I just hope to continue my collection as I live.
ReplyDeleteVicky Aguirre
In the kitchen my mom has a plate that has a painting of Jesus Christ knocking on a door. This painting is important to me because I remember that when I was very little I always asked my mom who was the man in the painting and whose house he was knocking on. She always told me the painting was Jesus knocking on the door of mankind, because he wants to be part of our lives. When I was younger I didn’t understand her explanation but now I do and I understand that the door represents Jesus is always ready to come into our lives, families, homes and our hearts.
ReplyDeleteCamila Ramirez
This is a little weird but, i barely started designing my house after a year. i wasnt as decorative as i am now. So i guess that alone is symbolic for how i am growing. Now, i deocroate with pieces from my passed, or i collect random pieces from antique shops, i collect peacock feathers, i have alot of candles, incents, i try and create my home to seem more of a reminder that i am of this world than the modern life.
ReplyDeleteSarina
I have a room that is filled with videos and music. Which symbolizes for me the variety I have in my life. Just like me there are different types of movies and music that represent a part of me. The sci-fi genre represents the part of me that is optimistic and always wanting to explore new options. While the comedy genre represent my sarcastic personality that I assume so well. Rock music helps to show my more outgoing side. All of these genres help to make up myself as a whole.
ReplyDelete-Joel P.
In my room, there is a hanging portrait of mekkah full of millions of religious worshippers. This symbolizes for me unity amongst all cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds. Such unity is significant to the muslim religion because one of the principal teachings of islam is everyone is created equal and there is no diferrence bteween man and women and there is no differnce between black or white. This encourages and motivates me to treat everyone equally no matter what or how you look like.
ReplyDelete~Ali Zanial
Within my room I have a large portrait hung on my wall of Tupac Shakur. This large portrait represents various of things to me. It symbolizes the archetype of the outlaw. He represents the inner outlaw that all of us have that is repressed. Although he was an outlaw in some of the things he did the portrait also embodies and presents another side of Tupac a side that many did not know. The side of warmth and tenderness within. In the portrait there is a poem written by him; the poem illustrates through rhythmic rhyme scheme his inner most feelings. Feelings often not shown through his music; in which he shows his macho persona as an outlaw. Tupac demonstrates the archetype of the outlaw but he also embodies much more than just that.
ReplyDeleteRicardo Razo
Above the desk in my room a have a picture of me driving driving my baja bug in the Sierra Nevada mountains. I am far away from any towns or other people. For me it represents a place that is calm but exiting. When i look at the picture i can sort of go there to that stress free place.
ReplyDeleteCory Brown
ReplyDeleteOn my shelf there is a porcelain figurine of a dog hand painted in green and blue. It was given to me by my friend upon her return from Poland a few summers ago. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of what a close friendship we have and how much she means to me. It represents our strong bond and our careing for one another.
ReplyDeleteTracy Slegers
In my room, I have a model of the USS Hornet, decked with fighters. It is symbolic of freedom, strength, discipline, and self-sacrifice. The model possesses special value to me, even though I didn't build it, because I have had it in my possession since I got my own room, and even more, because my Mom's birth father served aboard the USS Hornet.
ReplyDeleteIn my living room I don't have very many hanging on the walls or sitting on the coffee table. On the entertainment center I have a small statue of a woman with two small boys. It shows that the woman is nurturing, loving, and caressing her children. In return the children love her and caress her face. The woman and her children have no faces but just the way they are positioned, to me, the love and nurture is interrupted. It is significant to me because I have two young boys and when it was given to me the boys were about that age. It shows my love for my children as well as their love for me. I believe it captured us at that time in our lives perfectly. Every time I look at it it reminds me of the boys when they were small. Priscilla Caraballo
ReplyDeleteIn my living room we have a large scorpion hanging on the wall. I always thought this was very random to have hanging on the wall but then I realized why it was important. This is a symbol for strength, determination and also imposes fear on many of the people who see it. This scorpion is very important to my parents because it is a reminder of their native home, which is Durango, Mexico; this particular state happens to be known for the many scorpions that are found there. Whenever I look at the scorpion it symbolizes family and unity. My parents are very proud of their backgrounds and therefore I am proud of where they came from as well.
ReplyDeleteCindy Astorga
In my room I have my El Salvador Flag. I love my flag because represents where I am from. It is especially important to me because it reminds me of all the hard work and challenges my parents have had to face to raise me. Every time I see my flag it gives me motivation to keep going and to become someone in life since my parents have worked so hard in this country to get me this far. It keeps me working hard so I can graduate from college and become someone in life.
ReplyDelete-Maritza Ayala
I have a picture of Ottoman coat of arms in my living room. it is the representation of Turkish history. all the values that can help to describe turkish people are fit in this coat of arms. whenever i look at it, i remember what it means to be turkish.
ReplyDelete---Mustafa---
I do not have any paintings in my house or room, but I do have a cross that hangs between my two closets. The cross was used when I got married and it symbolizes unity in a marriage. I am catholic and this is a really strong in our religion. When I am going through a hard time or arguments with a family member or my husband I often turn to it to guide me and it reminds me that unity is very important in a family, and that when you make a commitment to someone else unity plays a big role in how you accomplish that commitment.
ReplyDeleteHanging on my wall, I have a flag of my country, Uzbekistan. The flag symbolizes the unity of a country. For me, the flag of my country symbolizes love to my country. When I really miss my home town and my family, I spend long time staring at the flag. It gives me strength and belief in myself. I feel that I am a citizen of my country. Sometimes when I want to do something wrong or crazy, I look at it, and it seems like to remind me who I am, my traditions, and that I should not step out of my traditions.
ReplyDelete_Nigina Boltaeva
I have a flag in my room, it symbolizes unity of a country. For me it symbolizes my love to my country, Uzbekistan. Whenever I feel bad or miss home, I look at the flag, and I feel better.
ReplyDeleteNigina Boltaeva