symbolic figures
Meaningful visual stand-ins
Symbolic figures are characters, images, or representations that stand for ideas, values, or concepts beyond their literal identity.
Uncle Sam symbolizes the United States; the Grim Reaper represents death.
In art and literature, symbolic figures embody abstract qualities—Justice holding scales, Father Time with his hourglass.
The term also applies to numbers or statistics used representatively: The $1 trillion figure is largely symbolic.
- angelDivine winged messenger
- statueThree-dimensional sculpted likeness
- wise old manExperienced, knowing elder
- bodhisattvaBuddhist helper of all
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
avatar · spirit animal · trickster · dark horse · cross · anima · allegory · deity · folk hero · founding father · shadow · mother goddess · great mother · hero · national hero · mask · mascots · iconography