An object, an action, or a pattern of objects

and actions that represents something

What is being represented?
Abstract ideas or characteristics
For example: evil, progress, courage

An item such as a color or a line can also be
a symbol

Information from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/36433/art-philosophy-of/36270/Symbols-in-art
Accessed: 9/9/14
An adopted symbol

Not recognized by all
people or nations

Example:
In Christianity the cross is a
conventional symbol for
suffering
Information from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/36433/art-philosophy-of/36270/Symbols-in-art
Accessed: 9/9/14
Peter Paul Rubens,
Crucifixion, 1620
Information from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/36433/art-philosophy-of/36270/Symbols-in-art
Accessed: 9/9/14
Some symbols are natural,
people of all cultures can
recognize them

The relationship between
the object and what is
represents is obvious to
most people

Example: A River is a symbol
of change and flowing
Example: Bald Eagle
as an American
Symbol

Natural: Eagle is strong

Conventional: Eagle
was officially chosen as
a symbol for the United
States

Information from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/36433/art-philosophy-of/36270/Symbols-in-art
Accessed: 9/9/14
Indian folk art in
which patterns are
created on the floor in
living rooms or
courtyards
Uses materials such as
colored rice, dry flour,
colored sand or flower
petals
The designs are meant
as a symbol of good
luck and welcoming
Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangoli
Accessed: 9/9/11
Rangoli designs can be
anything from simple
geometric shapes to
elaborate designs
The designs can be
either all white, or
several vivid colors
The objects in Rangoli
designs are often
symbolic
Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangoli
Accessed: 9/9/11
Information from: http://www.theholidayspot.com/diwali/rangoli.htm
Accessed: 9/2/14
Sun, Moon, Stars

Symbolize:
Truth
Light
Understanding

Are these symbols conventional or natural?

Trees life, protection
Fish transformation,
creation
Birds freedom,
beauty
Elephants wisdom,
memory
Lotus life, beauty,
purity

Information from: http://www.theholidayspot.com/diwali/rangoli.htm
Accessed: 9/2/14
What symbols can you see in this rangoli?

Om
the absolute, god
Deepak (lantern)
knowledge
Trishula (trident)
past, present, future
The color Saffron
the supreme being
Information from: http://hinduism.about.com/od/artculture/a/major_hindu_symbols.htmAccessed:
9/2/14
The Yellow/Orange
color is Saffron

Would we automatically
understand these symbols
if we were not Hindu?
Get into groups of 3 to 4.
Start sketching your own
Rangoli design
You may want to use grid
paper to make your
design symmetrical

Choose images and colors
that have symbolic
meaning! Use the grid paper to map out your design
Image From: http://media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ad/9a/e4/ad9ae4cd00dbea47dfe0b5eb8b62a953.jpg
Be sure everyone in your
group agreed on your
design!
We are going to go
outside and draw our
Rangoli designs with
sidewalk chalk!
This is a Rangoli
competition in India