burning effigies
Igniting symbolic figures
Burning effigies is the act of setting fire to crude representations of hated figures—typically dummies or sculptures made to resemble political leaders, public enemies, or symbols of grievance.
The practice serves as a dramatic form of protest, expressing contempt without harming the actual person: Protesters burned effigies of the president outside the embassy.
The ritual destruction channels collective anger into symbolic spectacle.
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- street protestPublic demonstration against authority
- flamesVisible burning combustion
- riotViolent public disturbance
- strawTube for sipping
up in flames · straw man · bonfire · demonstration · angry mob · torch · mob · puppet · anger · symbolic · political · political statement · Guy Fawkes · Guy Fawkes Night · dummy · smoke · crowd · chanting
- Bonfire Nightbonfire, bonfires, firework display, Guy Fawkes, sparklers
burning effigiessilent vigil
Wordless period of watchfulness
candlelight vigil · peaceful march · sit-in · hunger strike · laying wreaths
burning effigiesphysical assault
Harmful bodily contact
assassination · lynching · direct attack · mob violence · bodily harm
burning effigieslaying flowers
Setting down a floral tribute
canonization · beatification · state funeral · ticker-tape parade · posthumous honors
burning, burn, burns, burned, burnt, burner, burners, burnish, burnout