RELI 1000Exam #2 Study GuideSigns and Symbolism • Shinto Torii– A gate that leads to the shine– Japanese – Shinto Torii – It marks the transition from the profane to the sacred– A torii at the entrance of Shitenno-ji, a Buddhist temple in Osaka • Judaism / Christianity – The dove is a symbol of peace– A symbol of the Holy Spirit. • Judaism– The Star of David is known as Magen David, means the "shield of David" in Hebrew.– The six points symbolize God's absolute rule over the universe in all six directions: north, south, east, west, up and down.– It is also a symbol of humanity’s dual nature – good and evil.– The star is often used as protection against evil spirits.• Islam– The Crescent symbols of Islam– Symbolizes Islamic calendar and the Ramadan fast. • African – Ghanaian symbol – “Gye Nyame," Adinkra symbol means "except for what God allows to happen" or "Unless God allows it to happen"• A Sign – Signs and symbols help to express meaning. – A sign signifies/ represents another entity; often a warning or precursor event, or something meant to give direction.• A natural sign: It has causal relation to what it signifies; e.g. thunder• A conventional sign:• It signifies by agreement; e.g. a full stop signifies the end of a sentence• A sign can be a symbol and vice versa• What is a symbol? – A symbol is an object, picture, written word, sound, or mark -that represents something else by• Association, resemblance & convention– It often represents an invisible thing / reality• Religious symbols• Symbols are powerful images of the mysterious, irrational, the sacred. • They’re the axis mundi. • They represent the center of the universe a link between heaven and earth • Myths are symbolic – stories that bring the supernatural close to earth.• Symbols and Behavior • A symbol transforms and shapes lives. • Symbols can evoke mixed feelings, both positive and negative.• Traffic lights – Stop, or Go • Cross or Crucifix – Christianity– Exaltation, suffering, anguish and grief– Portraits of Prophet Muhammad evoke anger amongst Muslims.• Multiple meanings– It can have multiple meanings; a circle represents: wholeness, renewal, movement of the world, eternal & the ultimate reality • Shiva the dancing lord– In Hinduism Shiva is pictured dancing on a wheel of fire, stepping on a demon he has conquered.• Buddhist Wheel of Dharma– In Buddhism: The Eight spooked wheel symbolizes Buddhist dharma and the wheel of rebirth. • Yin and yang on the path road– In Chinese religions, Dao – “the eternal way of the cosmos” is symbolized by a circle that encompasses the yin and yang (two complementary forces)• The Swastika – The Swastika symbol evokes different meanings:• Nazi anti- Semitism. • Peace & Non-violence amongst Hindus, Jains, and Buddhist• Hindu Swastika– Jain swastika– The raised hand means stop.– The word in the center of the wheel is "Ahimsa". – The four swastika arms remind us about cycles of birth & death into four destinies: • Heavenly beings• Human beings• Animal beings (including birds, bugs, and plants)• Hellish beings– The three dots above the swastika represent the three jewels of Jainism:• Samyak Darshan (Right Faith)• Samyak Jnan (Right Knowledge)• Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct).– The curved arc represents the abode of the Siddhas, the final resting place of the liberated souls. - Siddhashila.• Representational– Symbols (words, gestures, things,) that connect two unrelated things.– Meaning is communicated through association, custom and habit • “Cross” represents “ Christianity, death and triumph”• “Dove” represents “the holy spirit,” “peace”• “Chalice” represents “ the last supper, the holy communion”• Presentational Symbols– A presentational symbol “participates in,” /has “likeness to” “resemblance” to what it symbolizes. E.g. • Water symbolizes - cleanliness, purification. • E.g. Baptism: one is “born a new” a symbol of an inward change. – Fire symbolizes purification/ holy destruction. • God’s appearance to Moses on Mt. Sinai in the form of fire is symbolic of purity.• Symbols & Interpretation• They have a deeper meaning, they’re meant to be interpreted • Social context influences meaning.– “Symbols are dead by themselves, but in their use they are given life & meaning” • Myth: Represents a community’s worldview. What is the difference between: • a) Functionalist Explanation of myth? • Myth is a feature of our cultures. It is a dramatization of the human loss of the power of rejuvenation and the reality of death• Myth and World View• b) A psychotherapeutic explanation of myth• Myth represents the deepest level of the psychic life of humankind• c) A phenomenological Explanation of myth– Myth teaches humankind the primordial stories that have constituted humans existentially.. Their legitimate mode of existence...”- Mircea Eliade.– Myth is true because it is concerned with reality- it effectively answers existential questions. • Genesis Account and Existential Questions• They should be interpreted to discern meaning. E.g. the Genesis Story of Adam and Eve.– What does this story tell us? – What is the tree of knowledge?– Why was Eve created out of Adam’s rib? Why rib?– Who was that snake?– Why did God throw Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden• Scripture as Symbolic• Scriptural message should contextualized.– Scriptural message is timeless - intended to transcend cultural context. • Women must not lead during prayers.• Women should not go to worship.• Women should veil during prayer.• Masters should deal fairly with their slaves.– Literal reading can lead to misinterpretation of the message.• Parables: an extended metaphor.– They use ordinary things/ experience to communicate extraordinary meaning – Jesus, Buddha • “The Kingdom of God is like a Mustard seed.”• Metaphorical language– A Metaphor: is a form of communication.– “Time is a river”– “The Lord is my Sheppard”– “All flesh is grass”• Ritual• Greek word meaning “a thing done”• A set of repeated actions directed towards the sacred• The main purpose is to evokes sacred memory• Ritual refers to all activities that have been “set apart for the sacred purposes.” • Types and Purpose•