Abstract: symbols, which can be important and imaginative, are widely used in western religion. Actually, religious icons aren't only signs or symptoms, but also an image which contains a large number of meanings. Semiotics provides us a channel to accomplish our seeks --- reading the idea of our ancestors.
Key words: semiotics, religion, religious icons, signs
I. Introduction
The origins of the religious symbols
The brain, which is often interested in the environment, distinguishes us from typical animals. Humans always ask some questions about the world: who we could, why we live on this seed, where we go to directly after we dead, what this is of raining, overflow, thunder, meteor is. A large number of years back, humans cannot answer many of these questions scientifically. So it makes us to believe there's a kind of powerful power controlled these things. Actually, somewhat humans create a notion system which can answer these questions independently.
Humans derive a built-in symbol and signal system, which is employed to signify our considered the world, from the belief system. Also the spiritual symbols participate in it. Actually, the origin religious symbols are totem. Lu Deping has provide a very comprehensive description in his newspaper Semiotic Interpretation of the Primitive Totems" Totem is the marker for the primitive people to identify their interpersonal affiliation consciously. In addition, it serves as the opportinity for the primitive groupings to specify their life from the empirical continuum or the environment mingled with them. "(Lu Deping, 2004) A lot of the totems are abstracted from the natural such as pets, plants, mountains etc. The Chinese language dragon, which is associated by more than ten kinds of family pets, is a typical totem in Chinese history. Totems rate high in mythical discourses, religious rites, plus some primitive paintings. Totems are cured as symbols which can connect humans with the mysterious electricity which is controlling the world. Along with the development of individuals society, a large number of years last mentioned, the threaten and worship for the secret electric power promote us to trust that we now have God or Buddha in the world. Then everything that we cannot understand looks logical. God or Buddha can save us from disease, disaster and anything bad. Then totems change with the passing time. They become much simple and easy to be attracted or recognition such as (Christian Combination), (Legend of David), (Lotus Blossom), ( Taiji).
B. Difference between image and sign
In our day to day life, we always try our best to distinguish symbols and signs apart. However, it is difficult to do this sometimes. In linguistics, semiotics and psychology, symbol and sign are equivalent with the other person for the most part times. Mark needs indication to allege itself, and also indication means the symbolic indication. In Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current British (Sixth model), it give us a explanation of indication and image: sign is a make which used to represent something, especially in mathematics. Also it means an event, an action, an undeniable fact that shows that something is available, is going on or you can do in the foreseeable future. (A S Hornby. P1626). Sign is thought as a sign, amount, letter, etc. which has a fixed meaning especially in research mathematics and music. ( A S Hornby. P1791) When you see in dictionary, sign and indication almost have the same interpretation. They are able to also imply something that implies that something is available or may happen, but a sign is usually something that you might find or see, while mark is usually insinuate. It really is much more important. For example, sign always provides us something simple and direct. it means enter forbidden. this means no turning still left. On the other side, sign is image or the primary so this means behind the signal. For example, flames is the mark of sunlight and the male power, the spring bouquets represent a new birth and new lease of life. When we observe the world with sign, maybe you feel that life become a lot more colorful and significant.
In academics field, the argumentations about signal and symbol haven't stopped. In all which Saussure and Pierce are the representative of sign in semiotics. Saussure' position of image and signal is not certain. However in his Course generally Linguistics, he feel that "the word symbol is sometimes used to designate the linguistic indication, or more precisely the part of the linguistic signal which we could calling the indication. "(Ferdinand de Saussure, 1986, p. 68). But Pierce explain that everything is an indicator. " It identifies three jobs encompassing (1) the indication, (2) the sign's subject material, called its subject, and (3) the sign's interpretation or ramification as shaped into some sort of impact called its interpreting. "(Charles Sanders Peirce by wikipedia). Peirce feel that mark belongs to signal. We can effortlessly describe the semiotic sensation. For instance, the shop signboard is a sign, The words or mark is sign. The shop which presents is the object. At last, the information of what or image is the interpreting.
II. The partnership between religious beliefs and religion symbols
No matter which religious beliefs it is, in its early iterations, faith is appearance by icons. Before Gandhara time, there is absolutely no Buddhist Statue in Buddhism. People use the symbols including the big banyan tree, pedestal, dharma-cakra and footmark and so forth to symbolize some meanings. Precisely the same with Buddhism, the early Christianity also use a symbolistic way to increase its doctrines. For example, the Christian Combination represent Christ, The hand tree stands for a martyr. Fish is the sign of Jesus. Peacock means this eternal soul within the body of every living entity is immortal; Interestingly most of the religions choose plant life, family pets, or abstract icons to symbolize its doctrines. Spiritual icons are also evolved with the development of religion. Until now, the cross is often shown in different shapes and sizes, in a variety of styles. It may be found in personal rings, or used on top of places of worship.
A. The need for religion in traditional western people's eyes
As we realize, religions have a wide-ranging influence on sociable life in american country. They are simply concerns about regulation, politics, art, overall economy and science. It is a long time that rules and religions have the same aspect: observances, customs, expert and generality.
Before the Middle Ages, or in the centre Age range, in Rome the Cathedral almost have control the country. Church has its canon law. People are not only safeguarded by the Natural Law, but also take notice of the canon law and become committed to the cathedral, or they would be punished by the canon law. The canon law is developed by Bible, quality of church conference, Pope's edict and Roman laws.
In the world of skill, the religious beliefs have a far-reaching effect. One of the most famous painters, Da Vinci has coated some famous color such as The Last Supper, The Vitruvian Man, The Baptism of Christ and so forth. Despite the fact that Da Vinci is undoubtedly a Christian. THE VERY LAST Supper the most reproduced spiritual painting of all time. You might have known a best vendor book named The Da Vinci Code. In the e book, the copy writer has given as a fresh side to comprehend The Last Supper. He considers that there surely is a big magic formula hidden within the last Supper. It really is about the ULTIMATE GOAL which can be an debate in Christianity. The writer also says " Da Vinci included in a lot of his Christian paintings hidden symbolism that was anything but Christian-tributes to his own values and a refined thumbing of his nose at the Church (Dan Brown, 2003, p50) Even though the point of view is not trust most pursuers, but I believe Da Vince cannot draw these works with any ramifications of religion.
If you are a careful person or a politic enthusiastic, you might notice the inaugural conversation of the united states. Almost all the presidents of American will say "God bless you, God bless the United States of North american. " by the end of the talk. It is thought to be the most clear example of the result religious beliefs in politics. The incumbent chief executive, Obama in his inaugural speech says "We live a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. " "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, predicated on shared interest and shared respect. " You'll find that the disciples of faith are also the important source of votes. And the church also offers a lot of cultural capital. Church can offer a whole lot of volunteers for community work. The church keeps the non-governmental company such as clinic, orphanage, and a homeless centre collectively. In fact, most of primary school in American are keep by chapel.
Religion has a far-reaching effect in traditional western people's life. Ninety-five percent Americans are blamed he believes god. They may go to church weekly and inform the god what they have done or what they want to do next week. Even more tremendous, Religious would pray before their food to be able to give thanks to god for his mercy. When they face some problem or challenges, they may beg god for electric power. Most Christians believe that they will go into heaven if they do something good. , or they help god to punish evils. In european countries, there's also some festivals connected with religion. Xmas, Easter, All Saints' Day are known by us. Christmas is the birthday of Jesus. It is the main festival in traditional western countries.
The important use of the religious symbols during spiritual activities
When we discuss religious symbols, we should understand what it is. In leading of my paper, I've given you this is in the dictionary of symbol. But I believe religious sign have just a little different with it. Religious symbols are a mark used as a token of something unseen. Religious symbols have a perpetual reference to the significance. They must respect a concept which is hard to deeply understand and keep in the circular.
As the knowledge of religious icons, Here, I wish to point out three important use of these in religious activities.
The first one is conveyance. In spiritual activities, religious icons are cared for as a 'newspaper'. For the paper, the wish of us has been written. Colors have considered as a religious icons. A couple of two groups of color in Christianity. The first group is red, white, inexperienced and blue. They are being used to describe the wish of life, 100 % pure, calmness and beautiful. The dark-colored, brown, grey and yellow are stand for danger, death and unclean. So you might find that in european country's celebration of your marriage, the bridal dress must be white, and the pastor should wear a white or red shawl to bless the new couple. However in the funeral, the pastor may wear a dark shawl to produce a memorial talk. The religious symbols have been used us a way to send some information to others. Actually, the cathedral isn't just a location for prayer, but also a symbol of religious beliefs. People prayed to god to keep their family from damage or forgive their crimes. Here god show his mercy to all or any of us. Then the cathedral has been treat as a refuge in our soul. It express the order of the god to us and point out the way onward.
The second is interconnection. During the spiritual activities, we often start to see the Christian to help make the indication of the cross to be able to sanctify or devotion. Exactly, they believe that it is ways to communicate with god. When they make the mix, the soul is linking with god. They will get the subject matter from the god. On the other hand, the cross is recognized as the icon of god. It's the God incarnate. They pray before the cross to be able to inspire from the god and clean their heart and soul.
The third is beautification. The Christian Combination is often applied to the top of the church. Firstly, it symbolize it is just a church and its awfulness. However the second is decoration. Actually, religious icons are trusted in spiritual building and arts. Mix, Rose and four colors which I have introduce to you in leading of my newspaper, are three sorts of common elements in Religious building. If you head into a church, you might observe the windows carefully. There are a lot of pictures on the window. Most of these pictures describe a story between pope and his knights. You can certainly find that cross is employed on the shield of knight and his towel. Of course, most of pictures cannot get through with color. Christianity loves to use white, blue, inexperienced and fantastic to beautify these pictures. There is one important place in Christianity. The vines is to Christianity what lotus is to Buddhism. In Bible, there are a lot of story mentioned the vines "For the kingdom of heaven is similar to unto a man that can be an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. " (Matthew, 20:1) "So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and present them their employ the service of, beginning from the last unto the first. " (Matthew, 20:8) "Plus the vine said unto them, MUST I leave my wines, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted above the trees?"(Judges 9:13) There are some other place described vines such as Isaiah 5: 1-7, Mark 12:1, Luke 20:9 etc. That's the reason vines can be use on the wall structure of church's building and the martyrs' tomb.
III. The semiotic characteristics of religious symbols
In leading of my paper, we have evaluation the religious icons through the cultural semiotics and standard semiotics. Actually, Semiotic has been divide into linguistic semiotics, basic semiotics, social semiotics. Religious icons are various in varieties and wealthy content. They may be packed with or characterized by semiotic interpretation.
A. The characteristics of semiotics
We should analysis the position and effect of modern semiotics in two aspects: surface and product. On the facial skin of computer, Semiotics has been no independent subject matter. The achievements in scientific research are not noticeable plus some of the successes are insufficient quality. By compound, semiotics has been trusted in almost all of the humanities. Increasingly more celebrated scholars be engaged in semiotics research. The happening shows the exuberant vitality of semiotics. In Li Youzheng' book-Introduction to Theoretical Semiotics, the writer introduce the organic of Semiotics. Mainlymy view is also based on this book. In Release to Theoretical Semiotics, the write definite the semiotics like this " Semiotics is a subject which analyzes indication, semiosis or the function of sign. " (Li Youzheng, 1996. p. 2) and mark is participate in its study. In order far as I am concerned, Semiotics has three marked characteristics.
Firstly, Semiotics has a long history. Posner has divided it into six types: Ancient Greece and Rome, Ancient and Middle Time, Middle Age american semiotics history, the modern western, the contemporary western, The concept of non-Western notation record. (Historical and Theory, a Journal China, 1988. P116-117). The history of semiotics is monitored back to 3000 B. C. But until the 60th age group, the semiotics is treat as an unbiased discipline, which emerges in People from france, North american and Soviet.
SecondlySemiotics is an elaborate and broad knowledge. Li Youzheng also divides the semiotics into three parts: linguistic semiotics, basic semiotics and cultural semiotics. Linguistic semiotics has used linguistic, phonemics, semantics, stylistics and rhetoric. Linguistic semiotics must use coordination of several themes to explore this is of icons or signs. Weighed against linguistic semiotics, perhaps basic semiotics is a little simpler. But it also involves various ideas such as Morrice's conception of theory of indication system, Eco's typology of indications, Peirce's Typology of indications, Non-Strcit code systems. These theories are all important rather than be neglected in the semiotic background.
Lastlythe cross-cultural research is incredibly difficulty. The most obvious point is the understanding of symbolic "" Generally in most affected by Buddhism, people think that "" respects constancy and auspicious sign. But in World Conflict 2. Hitler decides it to be the hallmark of Nazi. Hitler consider the Aryans is the greatest race all over the world. "" is the symbol of Aryans. Another is color. In western country, rose is the image of love, and red symbolize the passion, but sometimes it refers to scarlet female. As I know, red always identifies pure love and happy in China and India. Chinese bride-to-be always wears a red dress. So we may easily realize that different cultural take different knowledge of symbols and indication. When we are going to analysis this is of symbolic or signal across culture, it may take a huge problem to us.
The characteristics of spiritual symbols
The identical to the semiotics, the spiritual symbols have an extended history. At the beginning of my paper, I have introduced the original religious symbol-- Totem for you. Religious symbols almost have the same history of human's civilization.
With the introduction of faith and civilization, spiritual symbols also have different varieties. is the icon of Islam known as celebrity and crescent. It standard shiny and perfect. is a special symbol. There are various ideas about the symbolic so this means of the Star of David. Some Kabbalists feel that the six items represented God's definite rule within the universe in every six directions: north, south, east, western world, up and down. They also assumed that the triangles displayed humanity's dual character - good and wicked - and that the celebrity could be used as safeguard against evil spirits. The structure of the superstar, with two overlapping triangles, has also been considered to represent the partnership between God and the Jewish people. The celebrity that factors up symbolizes God and the celebrity that details down represents us here on the planet. While others have noticed that there are twelve sides on the triangle, perhaps representing the Twelve Tribes. As yet, people still have a complete meaning of the Legend of David. A whole lot of religious icons come with an obscure meaning. Not only can you understand it by its composition or shape. For example, lamb in Christianity means the resurrection of Christ from the loss of life. Is it possible to say this means meekness and prettiness? Definitely not!
The connection of semiotics and spiritual symbols
After the evaluation of characteristics of semiotics and religious symbols, we will get that religious icons have a a lot longer record than semiotics. But symbols as the research subject, we've evaluation by the systematization of semiotics. Semiotics can clarify this is of icons by different aspects and draw a correct conclusion. Although symbols are a complicated and changeable system, semiotics always provides us an rational sublimation. Mark also accelerates the progress of semiotics. It is hard for me personally to find a suitable metaphor to spell it out the partnership between them. But I think if symbols is drinking water, the semiotics must be seafood. The fish cannot live without drinking water. Without fish water will never be vivid.
IV. Conclusion
Haviland said "Religion is seen as an planned group of supernatural power's belief or ceremonies. "(William A. Haviland, 2005, p. 392). Religious symbols are an integral part of our belief. Semiotics is a tool of investigation. It may be not consummate and detailed, but it offers afforded us a direction to analysis our notion system. Also that is the point we have to work with. Modern semiotics is a fresh branch of knowledge. It has been neglect for a long time. Its reputation must take a brain-storm in research of symbols.
