What is Symbol?
A '''symbol''' is a [[Painting|drawing]], [[shape]], or an [[object]] that [[Representation|represents]] an [[idea]], object, or amount of something. ==Overview== The most common symbols are [[Letter|letters]], which are symbols of [[Word|words]] and [[Sound|sounds]]. A symbol can be an actual object (such as the cross, a symbol of [[Christianity]] or a scepter, a symbol of [[royalty]] and [[power]]), or a certain [[color]] or [[pattern]]. ==Purposes== Symbols are used often in [[poetry]] and other types of [[literature]], sometimes as [[Metaphor|metaphors]] or [[Smile|similes]]. A [[national emblem]] is a symbol for a certain country. ==List of common symbols== {{See also|List of symbols}} There are thousands of symbols that are recognized by most people all over the world, and many more that are limited to certain regions, [[Religion|religions]] and [[Science|sciences]]. Some of the best known ones are listed below. * Alpenhorn -> [[Switzerland]] * [[Asiatic Lion]] -> [[India]] * [[Weighing scale|Balance]] (scale) -> justice * [[Bat]] -> [[vampire]] (western), luck (Chinese) * [[Bear]] -> the U.S. state of [[California]] * [[Beaver]] -> [[Canada]] * [[Boomerang]] -> [[Australia]] * [[Caduceus]] -> Medical profession * Cadillac -> top of the line (in [[United States of America|USA]] only) * [[Cedar]] tree-> [[Lebanon]] * [[Cheetah]] -> speed * [[Sakura|Cherry Blossom]] -> [[Japan]] * [[Chukar]] -> [[Pakistan]] * Compass [[rose]] -> navigation * [[Cowboy|Cowboys]] and [[Native American|Indians]] -> the old Western USA * [[Crucifix]] -> [[Christianity]] * [[Cupid]], [[heart]] -> [[love]] * [[Cedrus deodara]] -> [[Pakistan]] * [[Donkey]] -> [[United States Democratic Party]] * [[Dove]] -> [[Peace]] * [[Chinese dragon|Dragon]] -> [[China]] / [[Wales]] * [[Eagle]] -> [[United States|USA]] * [[Elephant]] -> [[United States Republican Party]] * [[Elephant]] -> [[Thailand]] * [[Fatima Jinnah]] -> [[Pakistan]] * [[Flag|Flags]] -> the associated countries * [[Fleur-de-lis]] -> [[Scout|scouts]], the Canadian city of