Re:how far does symbolism go?

Jerry Blaz (ffdog@earthlink.net)
Fri, 2 Feb 1996 22:47:34 -0800

I believe that in terms of what we have been discussing in this thread, what
the Ojibwe culture provides is a sign. The sign is then imbued by the
culture and the individual to whom the sign is given with much value, of a
nature we in the west would call mystical or theurgic. Thus, it become a
symbol of great potency having magical qualities, the powers of which we may
consider real but subjective. Of course, it is the film negative of the
west that we have in Ojibwe, where the dream-life is the real life, and
everyday life is a much lower plane of reality.

Jerry Blaz

At 08:50 AM 2/2/96 -0600, you wrote:
>
>
>On Thu, 1 Feb 1996, elizabeth ann simmons wrote:
>
>> WHAT IS A SYMBOL???
>> Charon never defines what a symbol is. Anyone want to take a crack at it?
>>
>> good luck-betsy simmons
>>
>To complicate matters I must ask if symbol must have a single
>definition for human beings. For example in the Ojibwe culture a symbol
>is a highly personalized form of property. The meaning of the symbol may
>or may not be shared with others in the community. Symbols that a person
>receives by dream would often be kept to themselves and not shared with
>anyone. This is one of the reasons a dream is considered the highest
>form of personal property. The key point of shared meaning seems to
>reamin intact, but who is it shared with doesn't necessarily have to go
>beyond the interplay of the I and the me. Just a thought!
>
>Richard
>
>
Jerry Blaz/The BOOKie Joint
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