SYMBOLICISM Meaning and
Definition
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Symbolicism is a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It blossomed as a reaction against the psychological realism of naturalism and the materialism of the industrial age, seeking instead to explore the deeper, symbolic meanings and emotions inherent in art and literature.
As a literary movement, Symbolism aimed to convey abstract and complex ideas through the use of symbols and recurrent motifs, rather than relying solely on straightforward narrative or descriptive techniques. Symbolic poets and writers employed suggestive imagery, dreamlike landscapes, and obscure language to evoke powerful emotions and transcend the limits of logic and rationality. In their works, symbols were used to represent ideas, emotions, or experiences that are often difficult to express directly or in concrete terms.
In visual arts, Symbolism emphasized the use of color, form, and composition to convey emotional and spiritual depths. Artists working within this movement sought to capture the mysterious and ineffable aspects of human existence, often exploring themes such as spirituality, mortality, dreams, and the subconscious. Symbolist artworks often featured ambiguous and ethereal figures, surreal settings, and richly symbolic imagery to create an otherworldly atmosphere.
Overall, Symbolism was an artistic and literary movement that attempted to delve into the realms of the unconscious and the supernatural, aiming to communicate profound and often transcendent meanings through the use of symbols, allegories, and allusions. It played a significant role in expanding the boundaries of artistic expression and inspiring subsequent movements such as Surrealism and Expressionism.
Common Misspellings for SYMBOLICISM
- aymbolicism
- zymbolicism
- xymbolicism
- dymbolicism
- eymbolicism
- wymbolicism
- stmbolicism
- sgmbolicism
- shmbolicism
- sumbolicism
- s7mbolicism
- s6mbolicism
- synbolicism
- sykbolicism
- syjbolicism
- symvolicism
- symnolicism
- symholicism
- symgolicism
- symbilicism
Etymology of SYMBOLICISM
The word "symbolicism" is derived from the noun "symbol", which can be traced back to the Latin word "symbolum" and the Greek word "symbolon". Both of these words originally referred to a token or sign used for identification or verification. Over time, the meaning of "symbol" expanded to include a representation or expression that stands for something else, often with a deeper or hidden meaning. From "symbol", the suffix "-ism" is added to form "symbolism", indicating a belief system or artistic movement characterized by the use of symbols, metaphorical representations, and suggestive imagery.
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