Symbolology is a voluminous science that studies a huge number of signs that have arisen and arise throughout the history of mankind.

Every nation, every era, every person created his own system of symbols, which he trusted, and which was decisive for him.

Not all emerging signs become symbols, just as not all symbols are signs. And in order to successfully classify characters, you need to understand the difference between them.

Symbols- this is a schematic, abstract, multi-valued display of the image of an object, concept or phenomenon.

Sign- this is a schematic unambiguous display of an object, concept or phenomenon.

Thus, the main difference between a symbol and a sign is whether it is assigned a semantic meaning or whether it carries introductory information.

As a result, the first item in the classification should be division by common characteristic:

1) character

2) sign

Both of them will have their own characteristics and their own classification. But at this stage, we leave the signs and go directly to the symbols, since we will develop a detailed classification specifically for them.

First of all, division should be done, if possible, use symbols for magical purposes. Therefore, we divide by:

1) magical- have magical powers or are used in various magical practices

2) not magical- do not possess magical powers and are not used for magical purposes.

At the next stage of classification, we consider symbols by degree of difficulty. They can be:

1) Simple- consisting of one character

2) Complex- consisting of a group of simple symbols, combined logically, and having their own meaning in such an association, different from the meaning of its constituent simple symbols.

Further classification should be carried out according to level of abstraction. Symbols can be:

1) Specific- a simplified depiction of certain real-world phenomena

• symbol-concept - these are symbols reflecting ideas, feelings or abstract qualities associated with the inner world of living beings.
• symbol-image - symbols that imitate the shape of the creature or object with which they are associated.

2) abstract- existing in unimprinted or mixed form.

• invisible symbols - abstract ideas and speculative pictures that do not exist in material form.
• ritual rites and actions - magical symbols based on sound or gesture series.

1) graphic- all symbols that can be drawn or drawn on a plane (drawings, pictograms, hieroglyphs, etc.)

2) subject- all symbols that are expressed in material material form (things, objects, phenomena expressed explicitly)

3) auditory- intangible things that cannot be expressed graphically (songs, music, titles, names, etc.)

4) gestural- intangible things expressed by movements (dances, gestures)

The next parameter by which you can classify - origin of symbols. Origin all symbols are divided into:

1) natural symbols- symbols that are natural (for example: plants, animals, birds, minerals, planet symbols, etc.)

2) Artificial symbols- symbols that, one way or another, were created or invented by man (numbers, works of art, symbols taken from mythology, etc.)

3)Sign symbols- symbols that are signs at the same time (for example: alchemical symbols, symbols of the zodiac constellations)

5) Heraldic symbols- symbols found in heraldry.

6) Combined symbols- symbols that have the same meaning in different categories, scientific symbols can also be included here.

Further classification will be related to characteristic each character directly. It does not have a mandatory general character, but gives an idea of ​​the possibilities of using each symbol in the system of magic. This classification is not tiered and each symbol will be characterized by all categories.

According to the purpose of the impact they are:

• Filling - symbols that interact directly with energy
• Cleansing - symbols used in various cleansing amulets and charms that help cleanse from various kinds of negativity
• Destructive - symbols that contribute to the destruction of an object or phenomenon
• Restoring - symbols that allow you to restore the destroyed
• Protective - symbols used in protection from negative energy
• Percussion - symbols used for attack
• Exploding - symbols that trigger under certain conditions
• Copying - symbols that allow you to recreate a copy of an object in any form, including astral
• Amplifying - symbols that enhance the effect of magic items or other symbols and signs
• Distorting - symbols that distort the perception of an object or phenomenon that affect any of the sense organs or a group of sense organs at all levels of perception
• Accelerating - symbols that speed up the process
• Special - characters used for only one action
• Vaults
• burning
• Jumping

By degree of impact, characters are divided into:

• Superheavy - symbols that affect the environment on a global level
• Heavy - symbols affecting space at three levels of perception
• Medium - symbols that affect space at the physical level
• Lungs - symbols that do not affect space and are used in simple magical rituals
• Ultralight - symbols used to record a process that do not affect the surrounding space

By type of spatio-temporal influence characters can be:

• Ordinary - general action
• Spatial - actions stretched in space
• Temporary - actions extended in time

By level of impact they are:

• Positional (physical plan)
• Energy (biological plan)
• Astral
• mental

By area of ​​influence are divided into:

• Elemental - having no direction
• Wave - having direction
• General - local impact

A by type of impact on the:

• Energy
• Informational
• Energy information

According to the impact function symbols are divided into:

• Invisible
• Implicit
• Soft, hard
• Self-guided
• self-activated
• self-destructive
• Self-healing
• transforming
• Binders

Concept of symbol and sign, detailed classification

Character parsing example:

Pentacle.

Description : A five-pointed star enclosed in a circle. It is used in magic to draw the energy of the earth and concentrate power. The pentacle symbolizes birth and rebirth, although it is often associated with the symbol of evil spirits. But in magic, this symbol is used to protect and control elemental forces, elemental forces and feelings. The Pentacle represents these forces. In an inverted state, the pentacle is very dangerous, as it causes negative forces. But this is only one of its types used in magic, there are also others.

Pentacle according to the general classification: Artificial graphic concrete magic symbol-concept.

Pentacle refers to the sign character group.

1) by appointment, it belongs to the group of protective and reinforcing

2) according to the degree of impact - superheavy, - it is one of the most powerful magical symbols,

3) by type of impact - ordinary,

4) according to the level of impact - astral, energy

5) by area of ​​influence - general,

6) in appearance - energy

7) according to the function of influence - self-directing.

Since primitive times, various types of images (sculptural, pictorial, graphic) have been sign and symbolic codes that were used by ancient people to perform rituals, preserve and transmit information. Any significant sound, gesture, thing, event can be either a sign or a symbol.

Signs are generally accepted conventions for objects, phenomena, and actions. Examples of signs are road signs or symbols on geographical maps, sound signals - SOS or an ambulance siren, a variety of gestures, etc.

A symbol is an object, action, etc., revealing some image, concept, idea. The symbol embodies common experiences and ideas for people. A symbol is a synthesis of a sign and an image.

Art speaks to people in the language of symbols. A symbol in art is an artistic image that embodies an idea. A symbol, like a riddle, is multi-valued, its meanings can be revealed indefinitely, unlike a sign, which is understood by everyone in the same way. The depth of understanding of the symbol depends on the person's ability to interpret, on his erudition and intuition.

Musical art speaks to us in the language of sounds. National anthems are musical symbols that embody the unity of the people, their culture, pride in their country.

There were eras in history when people especially often turned to symbols in art. An example is medieval Christian art. In the Middle Ages, the aspiration of man to God was of particular interest. Therefore, the things that surrounded a person interested the artist only to the extent that they were connected with the meaning of Holy Scripture. Many medieval paintings depict a bowl, grapes (wine) and bread - symbols of the sacrament of communion; lily or iris flowers - a symbol of the Mother of God.

The choice of color, color is also symbolic: red-brown was a symbol of everything earthly (clay, earth); red - the color of shed sacrificial blood, the fire of faith; blue or blue symbolized everything heavenly, holy; and green is the color of hope, the color of life, a symbol of consolation, rebirth to a new life.

Portraits, landscapes, still lifes, genre scenes by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) reflect his rebellious, lonely soul, independent of canons and norms. His work is permeated with a sense of acute anxiety and confusion. The complex inner world of the artist is often revealed through symbols. Van Gogh sought to reflect content through expressive, psychologically rich colors.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) also used symbolism in his works. The subjects of his still lifes were often musical instruments. Perhaps this is due to the sophistication of their forms, or perhaps with the desire to synthesize painting and music.

Signs are generally accepted conventions for objects, phenomena, and actions. Examples of signs are road signs or symbols on geographical maps, sound signals - SOS or an ambulance siren, a variety of gestures, etc.

A symbol is an object, action, etc., revealing some image, concept, idea. The symbol embodies common experiences and ideas for people. A symbol is a synthesis of a sign and an image.

Since primitive times, various types of images (sculptural, pictorial, graphic) have been sign and symbolic codes that were used by ancient people to perform rituals, preserve and transmit information. Any significant sound, gesture, thing, event can be either a sign or a symbol.

Art speaks to people in the language of symbols. A symbol in art is an artistic image that embodies an idea. A symbol, like a riddle, is multi-valued, its meanings can be revealed indefinitely, unlike a sign, which is understood by everyone in the same way. The depth of understanding of the symbol depends on the person's ability to interpret, on his erudition and intuition.

Musical art speaks to us in the language of sounds and is filled with secrets. With amazing variety and depth, with the help of a system of signs and symbols, music expresses the richest world of human feelings. Even a single sound, taking into account all its aspects - pitch, duration, timbre, loudness - is a sign-intonation. It may indicate timidity or confidence, constraint or freedom, tenderness or rudeness.

We can also talk about plastic signs that reproduce gesture, movement. There is always a desire to create in the human nature - the need to explore, invent, build, solve complex, intricate problems. One of these problems was the scientific idea of ​​creating a perpetual motion machine (perpetuum mobile). His invention would have had a huge impact on the development of the world economy. And only music as a temporary art is subject to the embodiment of the image of "perpetual motion". Its symbol was the instrumental pieces "Perretuum mobile" ("Perpetual Motion") by various composers: N. Paganini, F. Mendelssohn, N. Rimsky-Korsakov and others.

A musical sign that becomes a symbol can be called the motive of fate - the grain-intonation from which the entire Symphony No. 5 of L. Beethoven grows. And there are many such examples in the art of music.

National anthems are musical symbols that embody the unity of the people, their culture, pride in their country. There were eras in history when people especially often turned to symbols in art. An example is medieval Christian art. In the Middle Ages, the aspiration of man to God was of particular interest. Therefore, the things that surrounded a person interested the artist only to the extent that they were connected with the meaning of Holy Scripture. Many medieval paintings depict a bowl, grapes (wine) and bread - symbols of the sacrament of communion; lily or iris flowers - a symbol of the Mother of God.

The choice of color, color is also symbolic: red-brown was a symbol of everything earthly (clay, earth); red - the color of shed sacrificial blood, the fire of faith; blue or blue symbolized everything heavenly, holy; and green is the color of hope, the color of life, a symbol of consolation, rebirth to a new life.

From the fifteenth century the things depicted in the picture are endowed with a double meaning at the same time - religious and everyday. In the religious, the traditional divine symbolism of the Middle Ages continues, in everyday life, the usual significance of things in everyday life of a person is manifested.

Many works of the XVII century. are symbolic in nature, which is often conveyed by the objects presented in them: glasses with wine, bread, fish, withered flowers, watches, etc. Sometimes ordinary objects, unusually combined in one composition, are figurative codes that are difficult to decipher. This is especially true for the widespread in the 17th century. still life, called vanitas (vanitas - vanity of vanities) and reminding a person of the frailty of his existence. They depict skulls, candles, flowers, clocks, sheet music and musical instruments (the sound has ceased, which means it has died), which are perceived as encrypted messages. The artists working in the subjects of vanitas spoke about the futility of earthly existence, about the transience of being. The very name of the painting "Vanity of Vanities" speaks of the frailty of earthly vanity - the pursuit of wealth, power, pleasures.

In still life, the artist conveys the value of everyday life, the significance of simple things. His attitude to the world is different in that he sees and feels the obvious or hidden life that is poured into everything that exists, in nature, in matter itself. That is why another name for still life is shtilleben (Dutch stillleven, German stilleben, Eng. still life) - a quiet (silent) life.

For the artist, there are no "silent things", for him everything is "expressive and speaking being" (M. Bakhtin).

Portraits, landscapes, still lifes, genre scenes by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) reflect his rebellious, lonely soul, independent of canons and norms. His work is permeated with a sense of acute anxiety and confusion. The complex inner world of the artist is often revealed through symbols. Van Gogh sought to reflect content through expressive, psychologically rich colors.

“I tried to express in red and green the terrible passions of man,” said the artist. The emotional intensity was amplified many times over thanks to the technique used by the master of overlaying paint with small dashed lines and the undulating rhythm of their movement.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) also used symbolism in his works. The subjects of his still lifes were often musical instruments. Perhaps this is due to the sophistication of their forms, or perhaps with the desire to synthesize painting and music.

Many people think that a symbol and a sign are one and the same.

It just so happened that we began to forget the original meaning that lies in things.

What can we say, with each new century we lose part of the knowledge. The Slavs in their culture are fraught with many mysteries, which are partly already solved, and partly covered with dust of millennia.

The wise sorcerers did a lot to bring knowledge to their descendants. And our task is to accept and increase this knowledge.

Today we will talk about an important point. What is the difference between a symbol and a sign.

This is better for comparison. On the one hand, consider the Kolovrat symbol, and on the other hand, the stop sign in household appliances.

So, kolovrat. Why is this a symbol?

A symbol is a sign that conveys more than one meaning and acts as a carrier of sacred information. To put it simply, the symbols are polysemic. The symbols are multifaceted and interesting. Ambiguous.

The Kolovrat symbol means the eternal rotation of the sun. There is a second meaning - this is the generally accepted flag of Rodnovery. You can dive further into the meaning of this symbol. We all know that there are many of them.

And the easiest, and most importantly, it will be clearer to explain the difference between a symbol and a sign by showing an example of a sign.

This is a common stop sign in household appliances.

This is a generally accepted sign that means a temporary suspension of the device. All. There is not much more to say about this sign.

Everything turned out to be simple. But sometimes people write whole books about the difference between a symbol and a sign. But in our opinion, it is possible to show the difference with just one example and enlighten the people!

Kolovrat - the sacred symbol of the Slavs and Russians

To preserve the ancestral memory, we simply need to remember our symbols. They are our essence and the meaning of life.

Kolovrat, today, although persecuted by the system, continues to live and raise his head.

Colo - circle. Gate - rotation. Rotation of the sun's wheel across the sky. This is the foundation of our Faith.

Kolovrat was raised as a flag today by our like-minded people throughout the Slavic world in order to commemorate the revival of Slavic culture! Many communities began to use the Kolovart as their flag and coat of arms.

The sun cannot be extinguished, removed from the sky. As long as it exists, the Slavic faith will also live.

This symbol has many names and some have a special meaning. Everything here is just Kolovrat - this is a sign of the resurgent essence of the Slavs.

There are dozens of important solar symbols that carry a hidden essence in themselves!

Do not be afraid of the sun, it is our father and progenitor. It is eternal, like the life of a Slav!

Slavic Symbol of Belbog

The Slavic Symbol of Belbog denotes the purity of thoughts and intentions. This light symbol is worn by white priests on the eve of especially significant holidays.

The symbol of Belbog denotes light and purity coming from human deeds. As God Belbog bequeathed to us, a person must be honest, bright and open, then the divine power of the Trisvetly Yarila will always fill the heart.

The symbol of Belbog, this is understandable, denotes the presence of the deity himself and his patronage.

Slavic Symbol Altarnik

The Vedic Symbol Altarnik is significant in ritual activities. It serves as a symbol of the example and unity of all the bright clans inhabiting Yav, Pav and Nav. It serves as a comprehensive symbol of the unity of the clans of the Great Race.

It is believed that it was inscribed by the Gods at the base of the World Tree. And when Yarilo Trisvetly drew him, he bequeathed the Slavic families to live in peace and not allow quarrels. And always stand brother for brother.

That is why the Symbol of the Altar is used by priests, Orthodox Old Believers Ynglings on the altar stone. It is on him that I get the requirements during the rites.

The atarnik symbol serves as a direct link between the worlds. That is why all the bright Slavic families revere him so much.

Slavic Symbol Valkyrie

There are many symbols, but among them there are especially strong and ancient ones! One of the most ancient symbols of the "Valkyrie".

Traditionally, the Priests of the Slavic-Aryan Vedas seal books with this symbol. It is believed that the Valkyrie is a guardian symbol. He defends the ancient wisdom of the Slavs and Aryans.

The Valkyrie is a pure symbol, which is why it is a symbol of honor, valor and protection. That is why the Valkyrie is so loved by people adhering to the military craft.

It is believed that the Valkyrie - the Slavic Goddess takes the dead fighters to Svarga the Most Pure. Valkyrie translates as tidying up the dead. If Mara takes away those who died by their own death, then the Valkyrie exclusively those who fell on the battlefield.

Valkyrie is a very powerful protective amulet!