Monday, June 02, 2008

Symbols, Stories & Tears

Some of the strongest symbols are ones that tell more than one story at a time.

One symbol might carry stories of

  • something that happened a long time ago
  • ways that first story has been passed on and on to us
  • our own lives and relationships
As I fought tears while attended the Memorial Day service at my home town's cemetery I realized that this characteristic of symbols probably has a lot to do with why I find myself moved by this kind of event. It probably has a lot to do with other interests and emotions I have too.

I often tend to see things from multiple perspectives. This inclines me to sense multiple stories and levels of meaning in symbols and rituals. The sense of richness, depth or profundity this brings can become overwhelming. The overflow sometimes comes out in tears.

I'm sure this has a lot do with why I love ritual (both religious and secular) and liturgy so much. Their ability to communicate is uniquely powerful. It's hard to find words to effectively, efficiently sum up what a symbol or symbolic action can communicate or evoke in an instant.

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