MODULE 3

Cultural, Social, Political and Economic Symbols

and Practices

Let’s Take A Look

Our society is composed people who has their culture to follow and on
the side note, these cultures are represented with symbols. Symbols help people
understand situations even without a word being spoken.
Symbols are the basis of culture. A symbol is an object, word, or action
that stands for something else with no natural relationship that is culturally
defined. Everything one does throughout their life is based and organized
through cultural symbolism. Symbolism is when something represents abstract
ideas or concepts. It might be color, language or even just gestures.
Symbols may also represent pride of a certain culture or its unique
identity. And as an individual, we need to be oriented with these symbols
especially that it varies from one to another. May it be in politics or economy,
these symbols exist as a way of achieving practices.
In this module, we going to be oriented with the different symbols
present in our society and how useful are these symbols in our society.

Let’s Work It Out

In this module, you will learn about culture, social, political, and
economic symbolism and how it is practiced in the society. Below is the lesson
and its unpacked learning competencies for you to fulfill.

Lesson I-
Learning Competency:
Analyze the significance of cultural, social, political and economic symbols and
practices

-
Specific Objectives:
  Determine the cultural, social, political and economic symbols and
practices;
 Explain the significance of cultural, political and economic symbols and
practices.

Let’s Think First

Activity 1
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the answers on a
separate
sheet of paper.
1. A mansion, apartment, a trophy wife, fashionable clothes, jewelry or
a luxury vehicle are example of what social symbol?
a. Societal Recognition c. Social Status
b. Material Possession d. Material Recognition
2. Symbolism uses the following except ________________.
a. Object b. Language c. Color d. Thought
3. The following are the characteristic of symbolism except __________.
a. Symbol introduces unknown to familiar.
b. It stands for the good and not the bad.
c. It unveils from mysterious to understanding. Language
d. It provides models to guide.
4. Which of the following symbols are used by Filipinos?
a. A cross represents Christianity c. Wearing thick clothes
b. We take a bow to show respect d. Red represents peace
5. The use of colors as symbol is more common in ____________.
a. Cultural Symbols c. Political Symbol
b. Social Symbol d. Economic Symbol
6. The use of religious symbols is part of __________.
a. Cultural Symbols c. Political Symbol
b. Social Symbol d. Economic Symbol
7. The following are reasons why symbols are necessary except
_______________.
a. Symbolism acts as a medium for the transmission of culture;
b. It secures the preservation of the group;
c. It promotes social harmony, and social discord;
d. Promotes those social sentiments and ideals which are at the basis
of
 organized group life from becoming vague and lifeless
abstractions.
8.  L – labour,  Ln - land ,  K – capital,  T - taxes , and  G -
government
Expenditure are symbols used in _____________.
a. Cultural Symbols c. Political Symbol
b. Social Symbol d. Economic Symbol
9. A uniform symbolizes membership in an organization, and may
display additional symbols of rank, specialty, tenure.The following
are under __________________.
a. Societal Recognition c. Social Status
b. Material Possession d. Material Recognition
10. Star of David, also known as "the Shield of David," a hexagram has
been used as a symbol in _________________.
a. Christianity b. Islam c. Hinduism d. Judaism

A B
____1. a. Stop

_____2. b. Revolution

_____3. c. Islam

_____4. d. Dangerous

_____5. e. Love & Peace

_____6. f. Health & Medicine

_____7. g. Infinity
_____8. h. Love

i. Negativity
_____9.

_____10. j. Christianity

k. Recycle

Let Me Catch You

Activity 2

Directions: Match the symbols on Column A to meaning in Column B according

to your own knowledge.
Guide Questions:

1.How did you identify the correct answers? What did you use?
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

2. Are these symbols common? In what way?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. Do you know other symbols except those above? Give an example.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
4. How significant are these symbols?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

5. Can the society exist without these symbols? Why?

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Let’s Have a Tour

Activity 3
Directions: Study the picture below and write a poem about what you have understood.

Write your poem here!

___________________________________

Title

Guide Questions:
1. What symbols have you seen from the picture?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
 _________________________________________________________________

2.Did these symbols helped you in making the poem? Why?

________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3.What is the message of the picture above?
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

4.How important are symbols to your daily activities?

________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

5. What are symbols that you commonly see every day? List down examples.
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Let’s Talk And Tell

Lesson I- Cultural, Social, Political and Economic Symbols and Practices

By 50,000 years ago, the effects of a ‘symbolic explosion’ – an
efflorescence of human art, song, dance and ritual – were rippling across the
globe. Applied to archaeological evidence, standard neo-Darwinian theory offers
new understandings of this improbable event. Symbolism is an enunciation
activity: it assigns names, denominations and defines relations between various
elements articulated within a narrative. In this sense, symbolism aims at
providing a meaning to reality, constructing reality (Bourdieu, 1977).

Definition of Symbolism
Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by
giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.
Symbolism can take different forms. Generally, it is an object representing
another to give it an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more
significant. Sometimes, however, an action, an event or a word spoken by
someone may have a symbolic value. For instance, “smile” is a symbol of
friendship. Similarly, the action of someone smiling at you may stand as a
symbol of the feeling of affection which that person has for you.
Symbolism is to express mystical or abstract ideas through the
symbolic use of images. It is the practice of representing things by symbols, or of
investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. For instance, making “
mano “ to elders in the Philippines is a gesture of respect. Without the need to
tell that you respect your elders, this symbolic gesture would send the message
to everyone.

ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SYMBOLISM

From time immemorial, symbolism has played a significant role in the life of
men. In fact, it will not be far-fetched to say that man has grown with the
symbols. Since ‘mind’ is the prime quality of homo-sapiens, it acquires some
distinct features of its own and the role of symbols fills the bill perfectly as one of
them.

Dr. Nandkumar states it nicely, “the symbol, it would appear then, is a

natural starting point of a journey of discovery and realization: the starting point,
the face set towards the goal, the ardor of the journey, all are somehow implied in
the symbol”.

With the development of thought process, there was also a progressive

development in the usage and application of symbols by men. Toys become
symbols for the children. Now, the world has come to such a state, that it has
become well-nigh impossible to dissociate symbols from any field of work and
profession. The media savvy and high tech world uses symbols in all their
ramifications. Institutions have grown up because of their symbols. There are
healing symbols in Reiki for good health, and Feng shui symbols for better
quality of living. In terms of colors red warns of danger. Green is for prosperity.
There are safety symbols in industries and for roads and other means of
transport.

Characteristics of Symbols

The English word ‘Symbol’ owes its origin to the Greek word,
‘Symbolon’ meaning ‘a sign’ by which one knows or infers a thing. Human beings
use symbols so much so that it has become an innate tendency in them. In due
course, symbols began to be used to interpret more and more abstract things,
thoughts, human virtues, beliefs, and faiths and so on.
Another significant characteristic of symbols is its concurrence with
religion. Since religion itself is based on a belief in the supernatural power or
God, symbolism started playing a significant role in trying to explain the different
aspects of their respective reavatarligions. To quote once again, Swahananda,
“religious truth being intangible, has given rise to symbology. Every religion has
its own body of symbols which suggests the ultimate reality, the deity and other
spiritual truths.”

Major Characteristics of Symbolism:

1. Symbolism is understood as well as believed.

2. It holds a comprehensive view and carries the value of the whole.
3. It translates the abstract to concrete. [e.g. red light.]
4. Symbol translates the complex to simple.
5. It is frontless to front.
6. Symbol introduces unknown to familiar.
7. It unveils from mysterious to understanding.
8. It stands for both good and bad.
9. It provides models to guide.

The Social Function of Symbolism:

The symbol may play in the mental life of the individual, and further
that, whether they deal with the individual life, or with the influence of symbols
upon social activities, they should be largely preoccupied with problems of
interpretation. When we have learned what a symbol stands for, however, even
more important questions concerning what it actually does, both within the
personality and within the group remain to be considered. It is obvious that
nearly all social products-fashions, folk tales, customs of all kinds, institutions
and traditions-are apt to contain much symbolism.

 The first of the functions of the social symbol is to facilitate the transmission of
culture from group to group.

 The second great function of the social symbol is to facilitate the preservation
of groups. In all social regressions symbols are apt to play a very great part.

 The third great social function of the symbol is, then, to promote the harmony
of the group.

There are two important things: their double or multiple significance, and their
close relation to the development of sentiments that give to them some of their
most important social functions.

Firstly, Symbols must be distinguished from mere signs. Anything that

stands for something else is a sign, but a symbol must possess at one and the
same time a double or multiple significance. All symbols possess both a "face"
and a "hidden" value, and it is one of the great achievements of psychology to
have shown how the "hidden" value is generally, from the point of view of
function, the more important.
 A flag, for example, is a very common symbol. Whenever we see a flag
we see it in a particular perceptual setting, and this contributes a part of its face
significance or value, the rest coming from other circumstances of the moment,
and from a more or less vaguely realized relationship between the colored
buntings that we see and certain ideas concerning group ascendancy or peculiar
group functions.

Secondly, it is important to notice that the hidden values of symbols

constantly tend to become less and less capable of exact definition. There is a
natural history of symbols. Its starting-point is when certain material of cognition
appeals at one and the same moment to more than one reaction tendency.

Necessity of Symbolism:

There are four important social functions which are possessed by

symbols. They all spring directly from those two outstanding psychological
characteristics of the symbol that were considered as the basis of symbolism in
some concrete event or situation of which it is a picture, and from the duality or
multiplicity of signification which gives to symbols their enduring influence, and
renders them at once apparently definite and clear, and yet abstract to a
considerable degree. For the symbol is tied on the one hand to the concrete and
particular image, and on the other to the more general sentiment and ideal.

There are no doubt many other ways in which symbols influence the
nature and development of social organization and the growth of culture. These
four, however, all alike affect the social character of the group considered as a
whole:

1. Symbolism acts as a medium for the transmission of culture;

2. It secures the preservation of the group;
3. It promotes social harmony, and social discord;
4. Prevents those social sentiments and ideals which are at the basis of organized
group life from becoming vague and lifeless abstractions.

Enlistment of Symbolic Practices

Everywhere we look in society we see forms of symbolic representation

which identify and illustrate our cultural ethos. Symbols that we use, as distinct
from signs, carry multiple meanings depending on the context and culture in
which they appear. A symbol can be a gesture, an object or a ritual that informs,
solidifies, and influences our social interactions. There are some major symbolic
uses discussed in below:

Religious Symbolism:
Religious symbolism is the use of symbols, including archetypes, acts, artwork,
events, or natural phenomena, by a religion. Religion 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.

Symbolism in Muslim World:

The name "Allah” is very important in Islam. Certain words in Arabic script or
characters can be regarded as visually representing Islam, such as "Allah." When
used as a symbol, the script appears decorated.
 Kaaba in the city of Mecca is the ritual cornerstone of the Muslim world.
 The Black Stone inside Kaaba, the cubical structure at the heart of Islam
to which all Muslims must pray and visit once in their lifetime. The colour
green has a special place in Islam. It is used in the decoration of mosques,
bindings of Qur'ans, the silken covers for the graves of Sufi saints, and in
the flags of various Muslim countries. Green has been associated with
Islam for many centuries. The colour green was the colour used by
Muhammad’s tribe on their flags. According to Muslims the colour green
symbolizes nature and life. In the Qur'an (Surah 76:21), it is said that the
inhabitants of paradise will wear green garments of fine silk.
 Star and Crescent is the best-known symbol used to represent Islam. It
features prominently on the flags of many countries in the Islamic world.
Islamic architecture may also incorporate such symbols in the decoration
of religious edifices such as mosques, khanqahs, and dargahs.

Symbolism in Hinduism:

 “Aum”, also spelled "Om," in Hindu thought this image represents a

sacred sound.
 Linga, this is the symbol of the god, Shiva.
 The lotus flower represents beauty in Hinduism, and can also carry other
meanings.
 Pratik, this symbol combines two triangels, a rising sun, and a swastika
 Swastika, the connotations of the swastika in the Western world isn’t the
same as those in the East.

Christian Symbolism:

 The Crucifix, a cross with corpus, a symbol used by the Catholic Church,
in Lutheranism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism, in contrast with
some Protestant denominations, which use only a bare Cross.
 The Chi Rho is one of the earliest cruciform symbols used by Christians. It
is formed by superimposing the first two letters of the word "Christ" in
Greek, chi = ch and rho = r.
  Ichthys or chthus (ikh-thoos) is the Greek word simply meaning “fish”. The
English translation is IXOYE. The five Greek letters stand for the words
meaning, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”
 Dove the symbol of the Holy Ghost and used especially in representations
of our Lord's Baptism and the Pentecos.

Confucianism Symbolism:
 The yin yang symbol is common in many kinds of Chinese thought. It is
especially prominent in Taoism, but it is also used in Confucianism. There
are variations to its meaning depending on which school of Chinese
thought is using it. In general, the circle represents a whole, while the
halves and dots depict opposites, interactions, or balance.

Jewish Symbolism:

 Star of David, also known as "the Shield of David," this hexagram has been
used as a symbol in Judaism since the 17th century. The symbol may have
derived from the use of protective amulets that pre-date the 17th century.
A blue-colored Star of David is presently displayed on the flag of Israel.
Religion in national symbols: Religion in national symbols can often be
found in national anthems or flags. This has led to controversy in some
countries in regard to the separation of church and state, when the
national symbol is officially sanctioned by a government.

Political symbolism

Political symbolism is symbolism that is used to represent a political

standpoint. The symbolism can occur in various media including banners,
acronyms, pictures, flags, mottos, and countless more.

For example, Red flags have traditionally been flown by socialists, left-wing
radicals, and communist groups to represent the "blood of the workers". Many
groups use the political colour associated with their political philosophy, for
example blue, particularly dark blue, is often associated with Conservative
parties.

This is a partial list of symbols and labels used by political parties and groups
around the world. Some symbols are associated with a worldwide ideology or
movement, and used by many different parties that support that ideology. Others
are country-specific.

Political Colour [Worldwide]

Black — anarchism, fascism, Catholicism, Christian democracy, blacks

Blue — conservatism, Judaism, men, monarchism, liberalism, libertarianism
Brown — Nazism, fascism, Hispanics
Gold — capitalism, liberalism, libertarianism
Green — environmentalism, Islam, capitalism, agrarianism
Lavender — homosexuality
Orange — Christian democracy, populism
Pink — homosexuality, feminism, women, social democracy
Purple — centrism, monarchism
Red — social democracy, democratic socialism, socialism, communism
White — monarchism, pacifism, whites, anti-communism, Italian democracy
Yellow — liberalism, libertarianism

Economic Symbolism

Economic symbolism is symbolism that is used to represent a

economical standpoint. This symbolism can occur in various media including
Stock exchange, Money and Currency, Gold and Petroleum, Life insurance,
Banking, Budget etc.

Different Economical symbols:

 Q – output
 Y - income
 r - interest rate
 π - abnormal profit (micro), inflation rate (macro)
 L – labour
 Ln - land
 K - capital
 T - taxes
 G - government expenditure
 X - exports
 M – imports
 PED - price elasticity of demand
 YED - income elasticity of demand

Social Symbols

A social symbol is a perceived visible, external denotation of one's

social position and perceived indicator of economic or social status. Many luxury
goods are often considered status symbols. Status symbol is also a sociological
term – as part of social and sociological symbolic interactionism – relating to how
individuals and groups interact and interpret various cultural symbols.

Clothing and possessions: In a commercial society, having money or wealth

and things that can be bought by wealth, such as cars, houses, or fine clothing,
are considered status symbols.
Societal recognition: A uniform symbolizes membership in an organization, and
may display additional symbols of rank, specialty, tenure and other details of the
wearer's status within the organization. A state decoration can show that the
wearer has heroic or official status, and diverse visual markers of marital status
are widely used. For Example: Military symbol of excellence-

Material possessions: Possessions typically perceived as status symbols may

include a mansion or penthouse apartment, a trophy wife, haute couture
fashionable clothes, jewelry or a luxury vehicle.

Symbols of Love: The heart symbol or "heart shape" (♥) is an ideograph used to
express the idea of the "heart" in its metaphorical or symbolic sense as the center
of emotion, including affection and love.

Symbols of Peace: A number of peace symbols have been

used many ways in various cultures and contexts. The dove
and olive branch were used symbolically by Jews and early
Christians and then eventually became a secular peace
symbol, popularized by Pablo Picasso after the Second World
War.

In the 1950s the "peace sign", as it is known today, was designed as the logo for
the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and adopted by anti-war and
counterculture activists in the United States and elsewhere.

Symbol of Victory: This sign is thought to have begun in Europe

during World War II when a V for victory was painted on walls as a
symbol of freedom from occupying forces. The sign was very widely used
by peace movements in the 1960s and 70s as a symbol of victory for
peace and truth.

Symbols of Friendship: In many countries Handshake and Yellow rose are

symbolize the bond of friendship.

Symbols of Marriage and Wedding:

In some country, Butterfly is the sign of marriage. Wedding rings are signs
of wedding couple as well.

Symbolism in Everyday Life: Our language contains an immense number of

symbols whose intended meaning or significance is well-known and accepted by
the majority. Of course, many of these do wind up in books, magazines, stories,
and other written works.

Symbolism is found in colors:

•Black is used to represent death or evil.
•White stands for life and purity.
•Red can symbolize blood, passion, danger, or immoral character.
•Purple is a royal color.
•Yellow stands for violence or decay.
•Blue represents peacefulness and calm.

Symbolic Objects:

•A chain can symbolize the coming together of two things.

•A ladder can represent the relationship between heaven and earth or ascension.
•A mirror can denote the sun but when it is broken, it can represent an unhappy
union or a separation.

Conclusion:

This simple observation confirmed that symbols, symbolism,

symbolization and symbology play a very significant role in our society. They are
an important and integral element in understanding culture. They reinforce our
norms, values and provide an operative in which we can manifest our meanings.
Symbols can also evoke emotional responses from us. The brief overview
presented in this essay is just the tip of an iceberg whereas glaciers remain there
to be trodden upon.

Let’s Do It

Activity 3

Directions: Using the knowledge above, draw a poster using symbols that would
represent our situation today. Use one long bond paper.

Guide Questions:
1. What is the title of your poster?
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

2. What is the situation you are trying to portray?

________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3.What symbols have you used?
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

4.Is it easier to send a message about the poster using the symbols? Why?
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

5. How significant are symbols in our society?

________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Let’s Check And Learn

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the answers on a
separate
sheet of paper.

1. A mansion, apartment, a trophy wife, fashionable clothes, jewelry or

a luxury vehicle are example of what social symbol?
a. Societal Recognition c. Social Status
b. Material Possession d. Material Recognition
 2. Symbolism uses the following except ________________.
a. Object b. Language c. Color d. Thought
3. The following are the characteristic of symbolism except _________.
a. Symbol introduces unknown to familiar.
b. It stands for the good and not the bad.
c. It unveils from mysterious to understanding. Language
d. It provides models to guide.
4. Which of the following symbols are used by Filipinos?
a. A cross represents Christianity c. Wearing thick clothes
b. We take a bow to show respect d. Red represents peace
5. The use of colors as symbol is more common in ____________.
a. Cultural Symbols c. Political Symbol
b. Social Symbol d. Economic Symbol
6. The use of religious symbols is part of __________.
a. Cultural Symbols c. Political Symbol
b. Social Symbol d. Economic Symbol
7. The following are reasons why symbols are necessary except
_______________.
a. Symbolism acts as a medium for the transmission of culture;
b. It secures the preservation of the group;
c. It promotes social harmony, and social discord;
d. Promotes those social sentiments and ideals which are at the
basis
organized group life from becoming vague and lifeless
abstractions.
8. L – labour,  Ln - land ,  K – capital,  T - taxes , and
 G - government
Expenditure are symbols used in _____________.
a. Cultural Symbols c. Political Symbol
b. Social Symbol d. Economic Symbol
9. A uniform symbolizes membership in an organization, and may
display additional symbols of rank, specialty, tenure. The following are
under
__________________.
a.Societal Recognition c. Social Status
b. Material Possession d. Material
Recognition
10. Star of David, also known as "the Shield of David," a hexagram
Has been used as a symbol in _________________.
a. Christianity b. Islam c. Hinduism d. Judaism
 Answer Key

Activity 1. Multiple Choice

1. B
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. C
6. A
7. D
8. D
9. A
10.D

Activity 2. Matching Type

1. E
2. G
3. A
4. J
5. C
6.B
7. H
8. D
9. K
10. F
 References

Bibliography

Madrid, Santarita. Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. Vibal Group,Inc

Lanuza, Gerry M.,Raymundo,Sarah Jane S. Understanding Culture, Society Ad

Politics. Rex Book Store
Ayman,Nadia “ Role and significance of symbols”
https://www.slideshare.net/NadiaAyman/role-and-significance-of-symbols

"Two decades of Gono Forum". Probenews. 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012- 12-2

"The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 35". Thedailystar.net. 2004-06-30.
Retrieved 2012-12-23.