While most Christians or conspiracy theorists have a conceptual understanding of symbolism, it’s often a much more simple discussion than people tend to realize. In this post, we will address the function of symbolism, why it’s used, and some of the interpretations that people should consider before they go too far into a study of symbols.
Symbolism is actually a fairly ancient tradition. Given that original writing styles (code of Hammurabi, cuneiform, and many Eastern language systems) are more based in imagery than simple linear forms, it should be no surprise that there are meanings and purposes behind symbolism. Most symbolic forms can trace back to either a Pagan ideology or a system based in polytheism. By this, I mean the nature of symbolic languages either trace to a nation of people who believed in a God within ideology (Buddhism, Taoism, etc.) or polytheism (pantheon of Gods, worship of the stars, etc.). Many of these ideas are repackaged into what is referred to as new-age concepts, but they are far from new.
Symbols were in essence the first form of idolatry. Forms, patterns, and meanings are really just a different religion, worshipping the world as it is in the present, rather than what it was in its ideal. We can see it in simple materialism, why does someone spend thousands of dollars on a scent (perfume), bottle of wine, or a purse because it has a logo? I’m a happy consumer of Chinese knock offs, as I tend to view things in terms of function over form. However, the religions of symbolism tend to embrace the opposite. They tend to worship the form over function.
Most symbols have a representation to an idea or ideal that someone has had over time. Whether it be the ouroboros, where a circle shows a dragon eating its tail (representing continual cycles), or a circle and a triangle (representing the Godhead and the cycles of men), symbols are effectively everywhere. Look at the practice of marketing and branding. People use logos (symbols) to identify companies and products, to motivate people to embrace a lifestyle or ideal lifestyle. It’s essentially idolatry at its simple core, creating a worship (focus of attention or preference) to an image. Stores and companies have become the church of modern materialism, dictating to the general population how they should perceive life and what values they should employ. They use symbols to “brand” their cattle, whom criticize religious folks for embracing a sheep like mentality. It’s ironic and contradictory that the same people being herded in foolish thoughts have so much pride that they don’t realize they are victim to the same principles they are criticizing.
Essentially materialism and symbols are merely worship of materiality, placing an idol or ideology as its crux of worship. One does not need to study the occult or the imagery of the Illuminati to understand what they are doing. All forms of religion, whether materialism or not, are based on identity and the nature and use of consciousness. Christianity proper should be loving God and others, the rest rely on doctrines of division or interpretations of scripture. You’ll most likely notice the most cult-like of religions employ the most “hidden” interpretations of scripture, forms of rituals, and symbols, it’s merely because the church employed the same practices as the occult over time. When forcing appeal to principles outside of basic love, you have to get people to buy into identity (something that makes them different than their fellow man). It’s the source of conflict for why the world will never embrace a common unity or spirituality, because people choose the symbol or brand they will become, based on what the world of symbolism tells you that you can be or become. It’s also why more tribalistic cultures tend to worship their tribe rather than what others do. It’s the function of nurture and environmental manipulation as a means to control someone else.
Studying symbols is interesting if you use it as a means to see how people desire to manipulate your consciousness. It becomes unhealthy if it leads to fear, unhealthy relationships with others, or truly as a religion. I always shake my head when I read about a bridezilla who wants a Kardashian-esque experience disappointed by others not thinking it reasonable or rational. All I remember about my wedding was exhaustion and enjoying the last moments with a few drinks and singing karaoke with my buddies. It was a great celebratory mess, which was likely more of a hassle than a truly great occasion, but as I’ve learned over time, no one ever teaches you the practical lessons in life. Like how slow and frustrating starting breast feeding is, or how awesome reading to your kids can be (despite the taxing feeling when you have no sleep), or how life tends to throw curveballs and when you slow things down and re-evaluate, God tends to provide a better way out if you are patient and follow his guidance (the world will push you to do things immediately, using conflict as a pressure to act instead of think).
In summary, symbolism is the earliest form of idol worship. It’s used to keep you focused on the worship of materiality and that existentialism is only based in the present. It’s done a pretty good job of making people shallow and hopeless, which they somehow take large amounts of pride in. They are mainly used to control the narratives, or stories, that we perceive in group consciousness. When we can step out of the trap, we can enjoy the same things that we do, and pay attention to how much relevance we give these pictures, ideas, and materialistic things. It’s never bad to take a fasting period from work (vacation), cell phones, high calorie food, or routines, to see how things are controlling the nature of your consciousness.
