This column by Tom Radzienda, an instructor in poetry and culture at Srinakharinwirot University, aims to encourage your interest and develop your skill in creating poetry. Poetry is a combination of visualisation, observation, imagination and creative use of language. Discover your poetic side, too!

The strength of symbols Symbols are essential to life. They can be found in prose, poetry, movies, walking down the street, or in your dreams. Symbols are usually concrete, with abstract meaning. A symbol represents more meaning than the thing itself or something totally other than the thing itself. There are various types of symbols that function at different levels of meaning and complexity. Traditional symbols Traditional symbols are widely known and referred to within a culture. Many traditional symbols can be found in religion such as the cross, candles, and monks’ clothing. The clothing we wear often indicates symbolic meaning beyond just covering our bodies. For example, a nurse wears white, a monk wears yellow robes, and a judge wears a black gown. Each of these “uniforms” has symbolic cultural meaning. The meaning of a traditional symbol is clear within a culture, but may be incomprehensible to someone outside of the culture. For example, when a person brings their palms together up to the nose, this is clearly a symbol of respect in Thailand. Conversely, the same gesture in Europe would look like somebody praying. Traditional symbols occur everywhere in our daily lives and their meaning always remains the same. Complete the following chart of traditional symbols. Symbol Meaning Culture The colour white innocence or purity many cultures A red rose     A dove peace global culture A green light     A yellow candle     A necktie authority or business Western culture An upturned thumb while standing along the road hitchhiking In Europe, but not in Thailand A white elephant     Representative symbols A representative symbol is when a part of something represents the whole, or when one represents many. These are used in everyday life, as well as in literature. When reading poetry, observe items that can represent a wider group or concept than the item itself. For example, Symbol Represents 1. The Prime Minister The whole country 2. The heart   3. The steam engine The Industrial Revolution 4. A computer   5. A tree   6. The word “cow” A real cow Context symbols Context symbols are the most common type in literature and also the most difficult to interpret. The meaning of context symbols depends on the context of the poem or story in which they appear. For example, giving an apple to your teacher is a symbol of respect (traditional). An apple being pulled from a tree by a woman symbolises breaking the law of God (Western religion). An apple seen on a computer symbolizes the company name (business context). An apple baked by mother into a pie symbolises family values (American culture). On the other hand, an apple in your refrigerator is not symbolic, but simply a piece of fruit. The context where the object appears contributes to the meaning of the symbol. Outside of the context, there may be no symbolic meaning at all. Can everything therefore be a symbol? Be careful that you don’t read everything symbolically. Be sure that your interpretation of symbols is supported throughout the text, and not just in one line. A symbol usually occurs at a key point in the poem and is often repeated. Exercises in symbolism Symbols do not hide meaning. Symbols are used to represent abstract meaning by presenting it in a visual or concrete form. In each set below, determine which one is the deeper, more interesting line of poetry. I sat on my bike at the corner, even as the light turned green I felt lonely and confused and didn’t know what to do Her death made everybody very sad Tears fell upon the man’s black suit The girl in the white dress received a red rose The innocent girl fell in love Symbols of friendship Symbolism is the heart of poetry's ability to communicate beyond mere words and to inflame a powerful response from readers. List several symbols that can represent friendship: 1. A handshake 2. 3. Using nicknames 4. 5. Writing a personal poem 6. 7. 8. Giving a birthday gift Your poem Select your most unique symbols and write a poem for a friend. Use unique symbols for each friend. Create a clear context so the friend clearly recognises the personal meaning. You can also share your symbolic poetry with readers of the Bangkok Post. Submit your completed poem along with your name, age and address to poet tree: c/o Learning Post, Editorial Department Bangkok Post Building 136 Na Ranong Klong Toey 10110, Bangkok You can send your poem by email. Mark the subject line: Poet Tree and send to this address: learningpost@bangkokpost.co.th Visit Tom's poetry column at http://www.bangkokpost.com/poetry

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Last modified: July 28, 2003