Myth, metaphor, symbol: How do you define these terms?

Question

Do you equate them with "fiction," or with a reality that has a different sort of existence from your kitchen table or your cousin Joe? Are they "real" in some sense that is useful?

Brian, your example is a simile, not a metaphor. Metaphor is something like "Her eyes were diamonds," rather than "Her eyes were LIKE diamonds," which is a simile.

Answer 1

Let me do these in reverse order.

A symbol is a sign or device that has an associated meaning. Letters and Numerals are symbols that represent sounds and numbers. There are so many more. Symbols can have more than one meaning depending upon context. The Planet Mars, the Element Iron and Male gender have all shared the same symbol. Symbols can also be more like pictures, as in dream symbols or a vision quest. These are all "made-up" but they can be used to represent reality. Look at what chemists and mathematicians do with them.

Metaphors are common in human communications in almost every language. They can be simple one liners or entire works of art like Dante's view of Hell. Gulliver was learning about metaphors. Perhaps in some ways, so was Harry Potter. These go beyond fiction. They tend to express subjective reality in an objective sense.

Myth? Is a myth really as good as a mile? Here there are two completely different points of view. Some would logically state that these are make believe. tall tales of fiction to teach or entertain. Some would emotionally proclaim that myths are reality that have been told in the easiest way possible to communicate things which as impossible to express in words. Left brain - Right brain, take your pick.

Reality is more than the kitchen table, Joe and all of the matter-energy trapped in the space-time continuum. Some human discover this and some do not.

Answer 2

Myth, though originally meaning something that is fictional, is not always really fictional. What may be mythology to some people is real and true to others. Some people may find the Celtic pantheon to be mythology while others find it to be soiritual and true. Others may find Christainity to be a form of mythology. The word is somewhat subjective. Mythology may be part of many different peoples actual belief.

Metaphor is simply a set of word that are symbolic for something, like saying it is "hot as hell" etc. Not necessarily part of a belief, but many different beliefs especially in various forms of sacred texts have metaphors as symbolic for certain things that they believe.

Symbolism is important in all forms of belief, especially neo-pagan spirituality. Symbols are more than representation. They take on qualities of a phenomenon or object. The use of symbolism and symbols, referred to as sympathetic magick, helps to manipulate or invoke what the symbol represents. Restricting the mind to a symbol of the practitioner’s intent creates an occurrence in the brain characterized by the uniting of intent and symbol. Through using of magick, we seek to aid concentration by recalling the attention to the symbols of intent thereby producing said attainment. For example, if one wishes to work with a particular Goddess, one could look up correspondences for that particular goddess, and make or acquire various objects that correspond to her. In this form, magick is a mental, mystical, or spiritual discipline, designed to train the mind to achieve greater concentration and connection.

Blessed Be,
Lord AmonRaHa

Answer 3

I define them the same way the dictionary defines them.

Reality is reality. Kitchen table is kitchen table. Joe (whoever that is) is Joe.

Myths, metaphors and symbols are all useful, of course; if they weren't then we would never have invented them. That's why they should be studied, so we can understand how they're being used.

Answer 4

I consider it converted over the distinctive books. It ranged from the supply of construction (lovely literal) to the ethical authority (lovely direct) who passed down the commandments in individual, or as a burning bush. The authority of a country and kingdom(s). Eventually the gospel converted it from The supply of Creation (even though nonetheless that) into the vacation spot for the longer term. He grew to be the present for constructive reinforcement, however they held onto the punishment of terrible reinforcement while. I consider through the later books of the brand new testomony, just like the acts, god used to be understood so much in the way in which we consider now just like the omnipresent entity that is too giant to explain with out allegories, metaphors and whatnot. then through revelation, that unstated factor appears to be taken fro granted as the opposite-worldly realm wherein magical and apocalyptic matters come from... so it is again to the supply, however the supply of the approaching long run alternatively than the supply of our beginnings.

Answer 5

Myth = story without physical proof...a lot of stories are myths...

Metaphor is comparing things "It's as hot as hell"...it's not REALLY that hot, but it's pretty hot out...

and a symbol is just a physical sign to show a feeling or a phrase or belief. Like a heart is a symbol of love, the cross is the symbol of Christianity...etc.

Answer 6

Myth:an old legend with little or not truth.

Metaphor:A comparison between to similar things

Symbol:A reprensentation of something else.