Symbolism in Movies

Symbols are often the primary method of layering an artistic message in a movie. The director may want to make a point without it being blatantly obvious, so they'll usually use symbols to encourage the audience to look deeper and think more about the message and its meaning. This post will explain different types of symbols and how to use them effectively.

A symbol is an object that represents something else. It can be anything as long as it somehow relates to the theme of the movie and causes a character to have a change of attitude and see a situation in a different light.

There are two types of symbols:
Universal/Natural Symbols: These are symbols that tend to be felt naturally by many people regardless of the situation. Ex. The flag of one's country can evoke feelings of pride and nationalism while circling buzzards are often a sign that someone or something is about to die.

Conditioned Symbols: Other symbols need to be assigned meanings so that a conditioned response is felt. The filmmaker needs to work much harder to ensure these symbols are experienced by the audience. Ex. The Seventh Seal and All That Jazz used the grim reaper and a seductive woman to symbolize death.

Methods to Create Symbolic Meanings
1. Repetition: Showing the symbol often will ensure that the audience takes notice of it.
2. Place Value on an Object: Value should be sentimental, not monetary.
3. Context: Take into account the symbol's relationship to other visual objects and their importance in the film's structure.
4. Visual, Aural, or Musical Emphasis: You can use audio or visual effects to put emphasis on the symbol.

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