Introduction:
Ever since time immemorial, man has applied some sort of symbol to his beliefs and has to worship something which is bigger than him in order to keep him going. With the emergence of religions as time went by, symbols acquired an even more potent force and this is demonstrated by the three major religions on this planet, Christianity, Islam and Hindu who all portray various sorts of symbols as powerful methods of religious persuasion. Several times these symbols have also been used as rallying cries, perhaps even in battle and over the years, their sense of mysticism has increased a hundredfold, some even creating political crises up to recently.
Symbols in Christianity.
Undoubtedly, the most potent symbol in Christianity is the crucifix which retains a spiritual and temporal power that continues to influence us till this day. The crucifix is the supreme example of the Christian religion as it shows that Christ died on the cross to save us all and this is the basic crux of the Christian religion. Although there is a lot of debate on the issue, it is generally agreed that the crucifixion was a real event and that this all came together in a manner which had been prophesied before. Further symbolism present in the Christian religion may be found in the host which is supposed to symbolize the body of Christ, this is used to administer Holy Communion and it is surprising how powerful this form of symbolism is. However there are also other aspects of the Christian religion which continue to create a sense of symbolism and these include statues depicting saints and other holy persons who somehow influenced the Christian religion in some way or another. In Southern Mediterranean countries we have the parish feast where a statue depicting the patron saint of the village/town is held aloft and carried in procession around the streets, this is another potent force of symbolism which may be observed at close quarters when some youths or elders who form part of the village community sing songs or rhymes in praise of the saint in front of the statue. Here the statue is acting in an almost pagan like manner with idolatry also an issue. Symbolism in the Christian religion is also present in paintings and other decorative emblems which decorate vastly adorned churches and these are also other forms of devotion which are deemed as being rather powerful.
Symbolism in Islam
Islam is perhaps a religion which is less endowed with symbolism although the military aspect of it remains a powerful one. The Koran which is the equivalent of the Bible in Christianity remains the most important symbol of Islam and with its allusions and text it is probably the most potent force in this religion. The Pilgrimage to Mecca or the Haj as it is popularly known is another important symbolic aspect of the Muslim religion, it being the birthplace of the prophet Muhammed and as such, each and every Muslim has to make a visit to Mecca sometime in his/her life. This potent form of symbolism is replicated in the strong military aspect as Islam where weapons of war acquire an important force and are viewed as potent symbolic tools in the whole context of the religion as a whole. Other forms of symbolism and rituals are the Friday prayers where the faithful bow down and pray to Mecca as well as the call from the Imam from the minaret in the early hours of the morning. All of these symbolic forces combine to create an interesting cocktail of rituals which in the essence form an important part of Islam as a religion.
The Hindu religion – other forms of symbolism
Although the Hindu religion is somehow restricted to the Far eastern part of the globe it is also an important part of the world’s religions. First and foremost it contains a vast number of gods and goddesses which all symbolize some sort of practice and worship. So we have gods and goddesses of war, health, fertility and much more which all have their own particular symbolism in the Hindu religion. Other potent forms of symbolism are incense or something similar, the red spots on the woman’s forehead and other mannerisms especially in the eating of food as well as the sacredness of certain animals such as the cow and the monkey. Yet again, this religion is focused on a number of potent symbols which all come together to create a hugely interesting cocktail.
The Jewish religion – another potent source of symbolism
Judaism is probably the richest religion where symbolism is concerned especially with its ancient rituals and practices which continue to this day in several Orthodox Jewish communities. First and foremost we have the Talmud which is probably the most potent part of the Jewish religion and other smaller and perhaps less relevant aspects such as the smelling of salt before one enters a house. Other potent forces of symbolism include the reciting of the Kaddish, the prayer for the dead, the shaving of the head and the application of the Torah as well as other aspects of worship such as the Passover which is still regularly celebrated as well as the Day of Atonement. Even the Nazis in their rampant and despicable persecution of the Jews focused on these potent forces of symbolism to create pogroms where they could disturb the traditions and kill the Jews at will. The potent forces of symbolism which permeate the Jewish religion are a constant reminder of what is yet to come as the Messiah is still awaited in all his glory, the most singular departure from the Christian religion.
Other religions
Buddhism is perhaps the largest singular religion after those already mentioned but here there is not much symbolism present as the emphasis is mostly on the spiritual and meditative. Although monks shave their heads in the traditional manner and wear long robes with specific colours, the main focus of this religion remains the Buddha whose statue is seen as adorning several places all around the world. That is perhaps the most long lasting evidence of symbolism in the Buddhist religion.
Conclusion:
Symbolism in religion is probably the most important aspect of any and whenever one turns, one tends to find it. It is almost ever present in each religion and is a potent force in every aspect of worship be it Christianity, Hinduism or Islam. Notwithstanding all the symbolism present in all religions, there is always something different in each aspect of worship yet the importance of such symbolism remains extremely powerful.
Works Cited:
Rush J, Ball M; The Mushroom in Christian Art: The Identity of Jesus in the Development of Christianity; New York North Atlantic Books 2011 Print
Barber A; Celestial Symbols: Symbolism in Doctrine, Religious Tradition and Temple Architecture; New York Horizon Publications 1999; Print
Charles J D; Endowed from on High: Understanding the Symbols of the Endowment; New York; Horizon Publications 1999; Print
