In the symbol project , I chose to analyse the symbolic representation of the monkey emoji .

This monkey
emoji served as an idiom for a Japanese proverb as the ‘ the three wise monkey’ . Since the ritual
assignment has to be linked to the symbol previously used , I realized that this symbol is not used as a
standardized ritual in practice . This essay will be critically analyse the practice of this symbol in every
day life that can be seen as a personal ritual practice . This ethnographic research will allow the
participants to cultivate our understanding on how this could be used as a ritualistic practice . As
previously argued the symbolic nature of the three wise monkeys has a symbolic significance to power
relations .I plan to unpack what a ritual is ad explain why the three wise monkey symbol can be seen as a
daily ritualistic practice . This will be guided by an interview with participants who expresses the
different practices of the ‘the three wise monkeys’ , in the context that it arises . From this we will be
able to conclude whether or not the three wise monkeys can be seen as a daily personal ritual practice .
It is my hypthosise that it is indeed a ritual practice . I will use Geore C Homans anxiety and ritual as a
lens to explore how this can be considered a ritualistic practice

A ritual, according to anthropology, consists of specific acts or phrases, symbols with distinct meanings, a
predetermined order of procedures, and people playing diverse roles. The proverb of the Three Wise
Monkeys isn't a formal ritual, but it's like a particular lesson in being good. In this I can be inserted into a
ritualistic practice that one can apply to challenges related to social relations and morality . Even though
it is not a ritual, it encourages us to be mindful and courteous in our actions and words.

Rituals have serve a purpose . In this case the ritual of remembering the message behind the three wise
monkeys can not be directly result in real, practical outcomes in the outside world. Instead, they
perform functions within society and our framework of thought and action . We see this in Ritual and
anxiety (1972) where we can begin to understand rituals where Horman explains that ‘rituals provide
social discipline and order in our society . It can also promote the social cohesiveness and organization in
our cultural practices ‘(Horman , 1972 :19)The proverb of the three wise monkey can be seen as a ritual
that calls for attention to cultural practices . During the ethnographic interview I asked what the three
wise monkeys would symbolize when thinking about spaces where we would see the expression of is
symbol . Interestingly , my participant noted that if they were to apply the proverb of the three wise
monkeys they would most likely see it in workplace settings . Horman notes that “we call anxiety when
men feel certain desires and do not possess the techniques which sure of satisfying the desires…this
sentient of anxiety then manifests itself in ritualistic behaviour .”(Hormans, 1972:166) In the context of
the workplace, this involves an understanding of the value of ethical behavior and a conscientious work
culture. The practice of embracing the three wise monkeys' ideals acts as a reminder to employees to act
ethically, refraining from engaging in actions that could be regarded unethical or destructive to the
workplace. It can be seen as a ritual as rituals are a sequence of actions . The visual representation of the
three wise monkeys can bring awareness to the individual to ‘ speak no evil , see no evil ,and hear no evil
‘.It emphasizes the importance of being sensitive and cautious in one's activities in order to foster a
pleasant and ethical work culture.
ization. Since the form of “ritual actions do not produce a practical result on the external world to be
accomplished other factors. We say that it is symbolic, and ea vocabulary of symbols. Some of the
symbolism is ample, the symbolism of sympathies and antipath In particular, certain of the rituals of a
society, portant, make symbolic reference to the funda 172

This passage explains that in rituals, the actions performed do not directly lead to practical outcomes,
but instead, they symbolize important cultural or societal meanings. These symbolic actions form a sort
of shared vocabulary within the ritual. For instance, certain rituals may use symbols to convey positive or
negative qualities. Additionally, some rituals make symbolic references to fundamental beliefs or
practices of the society in which they occur. Overall, the emphasis is on the symbolic nature of ritual
actions, rather than their immediate practical effects.

The Three Wise Monkeys—depicting "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil"—serve as symbolic
representations of a moral or ethical principle. They do not directly produce practical, tangible results,
but they convey a meaningful message about avoiding immoral behavior. This aligns with the concept of
symbolization discussed in the passage, where ritual actions represent something important within the
culture and convey meaning through a symbolic vocabulary.

Ritual actions do not have a direct practical result, but they symbolize something important within the
culture. They stand in for a practical outcome and convey meaning through a symbolic vocabulary. Some
of this symbolism is straightforward, like the notion of sympathies and antipathies (liking and disliking
certain things). Additionally, certain rituals reference fundamental aspects of the society's beliefs and
practices.

Levi straus

If we add that these structures are not only the same for everyone and for all areas to which the
functions apply but that they are few in number , we shall understand the world of symbolism is
indefinitely varied in content , but always limited in its laws’ (Stauss :203 Content and meaning of
symbols in rituals can be very different from one culture to another, there are only a few basic rules that
govern how these symbols work. This means that while the specific rituals may look very different, they
all serve similar fundamental purposes. For example, rituals often bring people together, convey
important cultural messagesThis one would be in consideration to the work place So, even though
rituals may seem very different, they all have common underlying functions that serve important roles in
human societies.

The Three Wise Monkeys, embodying the proverb "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," exemplify
Claude Lévi-Strauss's insights on symbols in human culture. They serve as a powerful symbolic language,
representing binary oppositions between virtuous behavior and immoral actions. This concept, rooted in
deeper cultural narratives, reflects a universal belief in the importance of avoiding evil. The monkeys act
as a unifying symbol, promoting shared values and ethics within a society, and their adaptability across
different cultures underscores their enduring relevance.
In conclusion I have
References
Ortner, S.B., 1973. On key symbols 1. American anthropologist, 75(5), pp.1338-1346.

Homans, G.C., 1972. Anxiety and Ritual: The Theories of Malinowski and Radcliffe-Brown. Reader in
Comparative Religions: An Anthropological Approach. Ed. William Lessa and Evon Z. Vogt.

Lévi-Strauss, C., 1996. The effectiveness of symbols. Readings in ritual studies, pp.368-377.