Society can give power to symbols

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What do the following items have in common: a cross, a purple heart, a diamond, the American flag, the Eye of Horus, a swastika and a house? At first glance, it becomes rather ridiculous that some of these things would be grouped together, let alone all of them. What these items have in common, however, is that they are all symbols. What each symbol means is a question that varies from social group to social group around the world.

When Spartans were proposed the idea of a new logo, there were mixed feelings. Some supported the idea, but others raised eyebrows and wondered who would even give such a suggestion the green light. As we all know, the verdict was to keep the original Spartans logo that has been loved by Spartans from generation to generation. But is there a reason outside of the physical look of the new logo that caused an uproar of disgust among fellow Spartans? Was it because the old logo symbolized something that the new logo could not? Was it because the old logo was a symbol that brought pride to fellow Spartans and the thought of something new intruding on that pride was frowned upon? Or could it be something else?

Often when people look at symbols, they find a general meaning has been given to them. Without that significance, the symbol merely is an inanimate object that almost is invisible to the eyes of society. But what is it that gives a symbol meaning? Is it the way it looks? Is it where it is founded or built? Is its meaning and significance based off of one person’s perception? Usually these questions don’t come to mind when people look at symbols. They merely accept the fact that the symbol has some sort of meaning and its significance is a general consensus. But how do we as a society distinguish one symbol’s meaning from another? Surely what one symbol means to someone probably will mean something different to another.

We can take, for instance, the American flag. For some, this symbol means freedom. For others, it means a chance to live a dream that once appeared unattainable. Even still, for others it could mean a completely false perception of those two things and much more. Either way, this once inanimate object was given meaning and power after a domino effect had taken place. That domino effect was made year after year and generation after generation by individuals that witnessed this symbol and began to create their own perspectives as to what that symbol meant. Those perceptions began to give that inanimate object power, so that the sight of the flag symbol triggers those perceptions, which in the end give meaning to that symbol through the eyes of each individual.

The truth of the matter is that when individuals come together and give meaning to a symbol, when an inanimate object begins to elicit power. We never truly realize how much power we give to things that are not human. We will most often ignore questions about the significance of a symbol. We simply will know that the symbol has significance and meaning, and will generally accept that and move on. But how often do we give power to inanimate objects? Do we never truly realize how much power such an object can have? When we see a symbol such as a swastika, there are thousands of meanings, thoughts, connections and possibly memories that can be triggered. When we look at a cross, the same still occurs.

The difference is the level of power that these objects have among society. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves if we are giving too much power to certain symbols — if there is such a thing as “too much power.” It could be that the level of power that a symbol has is determined by how many people believe in that symbol. It also could be that a symbol’s power is only determined by the belief that we as individuals put in that symbol. Either way, only we can determine the power of an inanimate object.

Whether the symbol is the Bible, a company’s logo, America or even a Spartan, only people have the power to give these symbols meaning. Without significance and meaning, these inanimate objects are just that.

Ashleigh Rogers is a State News guest columnist and journalism and Spanish senior. Reach her at roger125@msu.edu.

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