From a fire-breathing dragon to a four-leaf clover, people use
symbols – images, objects, and figures – to represent abstract
ideas or concepts. Symbols can best be described as something
visible that represents something invisible. We use them
everyday without thinking about it. For example, our
written language and numbers are made up of symbols.Symbols
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RELIGION
Followers of different faiths can
express religious concepts, such as
their idea of God, through symbols.
Religious symbols have many
meanings and uses, and may be
used in places of worship or as
part of other religious practices.GOOD LUCK
People hoping to protect themselves
from misfortune or evil may carry a
good-luck symbol. It could be a trinket,
a piece of jewellery, or something from
nature. Many symbols are lucky only to
a particular culture and the superstition
can stretch back centuries.Horse shoe In
Europe and the
USA, hanging a
horsehoe by the
front door will
bring good
fortune.Evil eye This symbol is
meant to block a curse sent
by the nasty stare of an
envious person.White heather
Regarded as a
symbol of good
luck in Scotland,
some say
heather grew
on battlefields
where no blood
had been shed.Fu Thought
to bring good
fortune, this Chinese
symbol decorates
envelopes given
to children for
Lunar New Year.Anubis The Ancient Egyptian
god of the dead, Anubis led
the mummification process
and protected the dead.Crucifix This shows Jesus
Christ’s death on the cross –
a reminder to Christian
worshippers of his sacrfice.Wheel of Law The eight
spokes of this Buddhist
symbol represent the
eight paths to
enlightenment.Star and Crescent
These are linked with
the Islamic faith,
and appear on
the flags of many
Muslim nations.Apsaras This supernatural
being represents the female
spirit in Hindu mythology.Star of David Named
for King David of Israel,
this has been a symbol
of the Jewish faith since
medieval times.Yin Yang This symbol of
the Taoist belief
represents harmony
and unity in the
Universe.Saint Christoper
Some Christians wear
pendants showing the
patron saint of
long journeys
to protect
them when
they travel.Four-leaf clover Most
have three leaves, so
superstition has it that
finding one by accident
brings good luck.258_259_Symbols.indd 258 03/01/19 12:11 PM