Meaning through symbols and metaphors

Let me clarify what is meant by symbols and metaphors. A symbol does the function of ‘pointing to something’; for example a dove symbolizes peace, two hands holding each other would symbolize a relationship or responsibility. A metaphor on the other hand is a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity; for example the expression “the Lord is my Rock” would say that the Lord is my refuge and strength.

Most of the time in our lives we build our convictions through metaphors and symbols. Just glance through the way we grew from the childhood – we were taught the initial vocabularies while we saw what denoted those words. A mother teaches her child the names of the bodily parts while showing the child in reality. She shows ‘eyes’ and makes the child repeat eyes. The learning may begin from him or from outside him. On the other hand the child will not know to name a thing which it has not seen. It is very true that the philosophers had great questioning on the question as to which is prior in the order of existence – is it the concept prior to being or being prior to concept. In order there to be a concept the thing must actually exist. Therefore, being is ontologically prior to any idea.

We see the actual and then comes the expression to capture what has been seen. Our mind is able to grasp different aspect of the truths and the expressions to enunciate the truths will definitely vary in terms. Jesus used parables and stories to teach; this tells the fact that human mind is more akin to understanding through what is seen or imaginable than abstraction.