Symbololatry is a term that refers to the worship or veneration of symbols. It is composed of three components: "sym" meaning "together," "bol" meaning "thrown" (as in "ball" or "bullet"), and "latry" meaning "worship." The pronunciation of "symbololatry" is /ˌsɪm.bəˈlɒl.ə.tri/ with the primary stress on the third syllable. The word is spelled with two "o's" because the second "o" distinguishes it from the word "symbolatry," which means the study or interpretation of symbols, but without the connotation of worship.
Symbololatry is a term that refers to the excessive veneration or worship of symbols or symbolic representations, often within a religious or cultural context. The word is derived from the combination of "symbol" and "latry," which means worship.
Symbololatry involves the ascribing of an almost divine or transcendent level of power and meaning to symbols. People who engage in symbololatry may consider these symbols to be the embodiment of higher truths or supernatural forces, thus treating them with reverence and devotion. Examples of symbols that can be the focus of symbololatry include religious icons, statues, flags, or even certain rituals or practices.
The concept of symbololatry is closely related to the idea of idolatry - the worship of idols or physical representations of deities. While symbololatry may also involve the worship of symbols, it goes beyond idolatry as it is not limited to religious contexts. Symbololatry can be observed in various cultural practices, where symbols are regarded as sacred or endowed with extraordinary influence.
Critics of symbololatry argue that excessive devotion to symbols can lead to a neglect of actual spiritual or philosophical principles they represent. They believe that the true essence and significance of these symbols should be understood and appreciated beyond their physical or visual representation.
In summary, symbololatry refers to the excessive veneration and worship of symbols or symbolic representations. It involves attributing a higher level of power and significance to these symbols, often within religious or cultural contexts.
The word "symbololatry" is formed by combining two components: "symbol" and "olatry".
1. "Symbol": The term "symbol" comes from the Latin word "symbolum", which means "token" or "sign". In turn, "symbolum" was derived from the Greek word "symbolon", meaning "mark" or "token". The Greek word derived from the verb "symballein", which denotes "to throw together" or "to compare". The concept of a symbol involves something that represents or stands for something else, often conveying a deeper meaning or idea.
2. "-olatry": The suffix "-olatry" is derived from the Greek word "latreia", which denotes "worship" or "adoration". It is often used to form words relating to the worship or excessive devotion to a particular object or idea.