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Symbolism is all about using objects, characters, or colours to represent ideas or concepts. In film, this means filmmakers can get across complex themes and emotions without having to state them explicitly. Symbols can be universal, e.g. how a heart might symbolise love, or they can be specific to a particular film or director’s style.
Symbolism gives the narrative layers of meaning, and the idea is that the audience then engages with that on more than one level. Understanding symbolism is important when it comes to our interpretation and appreciation of the story. It can give us insights into any subtext or underlying messages.
Historical context of symbolism in film
The use of symbolism in film has been around since cinema’s early days, and you could even argue it was a more important tool at the start because silent films were limited by the lack of spoken dialogue, and so they relied heavily on visual symbols to show emotions and plot points.
Directors like Sergei Eisenstein used symbolic imagery to communicate complex ideas to their audiences. As cinema evolved, the sophistication of its symbolic language did too, with filmmakers experimenting with new ways to get meaning into their visuals.
These are related concepts, but they’re not the same. Symbolism is broader and can include anything that represents something beyond its literal meaning. A visual metaphor, on the other hand, draws a direct comparison between two unrelated things. Symbols are more ambiguous and open to interpretation, whereas visual metaphors are pretty specific and obvious.
Let’s say a character in a film is often shown wearing red. This might be showing us that she’s very passionate, or she represents danger, as those are things we typically associate with that colour. This is symbolism. Now imagine a character walking through a foggy forest or a maze to represent a state of confusion—this is a visual metaphor for their struggle.
How to spot symbolism in films
Here are some tips to help you identify and interpret symbolism in films:
- Pay attention to repetition: If an object, colour, or motif appears several times, it’s probably significant! Knowing a little about the psychology of colour can help with this.
- Consider the context: What’s happening when the symbol appears? How do characters interact with it? For example, think about The Graduate, with water reflecting Benjamin’s emotional and psychological struggles (more on this soon).
- Think about themes: What are the central themes of the film? Symbols and metaphors usually relate to these, so identifying the main themes can help you understand the symbols being used by the filmmaker and how they contribute to the story.
- Visual juxtaposition: Directors often place symbols in specific visual contexts to make comparisons or even contrasts. Look at how symbols are framed and positioned within the scene, as well as their relationship to other visual elements.
- Research and analysis: Reading film analysis, criticism, reviews, essays, and interviews can all help with your understanding of symbolism. Also, chatting with others about your own interpretations can be a great way to learn more.
Examples of symbolism in film
1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
In Shawshank, the recurring image of Brooks’ pet raven (Jake) symbolises the inmates’ desire for freedom. It’s initially caged and eventually released, so there’s an obvious parallel there with the prisoners’ wish to leave the prison.
2. The Great Gatsby (2013)
Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby was a little hit-and-miss with fans, but it’s certainly chock full of symbolism. The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock is a symbol of hope, but ultimately it represents Gatsby’s unreachable dreams and his longing for a future with Daisy.
3. Her (2013)
In Her, red is subtly used to symbolise intimacy and emotional connection. Theodore often wears red clothing during significant moments, particularly in his interactions with Samantha, the operating system. Samantha herself is a symbol of human connection and intimacy in the digital age, and her development and evolution through the film is a comment about how we see the complexities (and the potential) in modern relationships.
4. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Blade Runner 2049 uses a recurring image of a wooden horse to represent memory and identity. For K (the protagonist), the wooden horse is a link to his past and his quest for self-discovery. The symbolism of the horse makes us question the nature of the memory and what it means to be human.
5. American Beauty (1999)
The symbol that everyone remembers from American Beauty is the red rose petals. They’re associated with the main character Lester Burnham’s sense of freedom and sexual desire. They represent his longing for beauty and happiness in his otherwise mundane suburban life. Also, an ‘American Beauty’ is a type of rose, so there’s an extra bit of meaning to be wrung out of that!
6. The Graduate (1967)
In The Graduate, the presence of water is filled with symbolism. The character of Benjamin Braddock is frequently framed using water, through a fish tank, when he looks over a swimming pool from a window, and when he’s literally underwater! The way he interacts with the water reflects how his life is going at that time.
7. The Shining (1980)
The Shining is full of symbolism, a lot of it fairly disturbing! There are a lot of mirrors in the Overlook Hotel, which symbolise duality and the hidden sides of characters, especially the main character Jack Torrance, who is descending into madness. Red is used often, including that iconic elevator scene where the blood flows out: a not-so-subtle metaphor for the violence and malevolent influence of the hotel.
Symbolism in cinematography
Cinematography is really important when it comes to symbolism and visual metaphors in film. With framing, lighting, and camera angles, cinematographers can increase the symbolic effect.
Framing and composition
The way a shot is framed can affect the significance of any symbolic meaning. If a character is placed at the edge of the frame, it might suggest isolation or exclusion. If they’re centred, it might imply power or stability.
Lighting and colour grading
Lighting and colour grading are fantastic tools for conveying mood and symbolism. High-contrast lighting can create tension or foreboding, while soft, diffused light might make you feel nostalgic or calm. Colour grading with warm tones often creates a sense of comfort, whereas cool tones are more about feelings of detachment or sadness.
Camera angles and movement
Low-angle shots can make a character appear powerful or threatening, and high-angle shots can make them seem vulnerable or insignificant. Dynamic camera movements, like tracking or panning, can reflect an emotional journey or the unfolding of a significant event.
Symbolism in film soundtracks
Sometimes sound is overlooked when it comes to symbolism in film, but music and sound play a big role in shaping how we feel about parts of a film.
Leitmotifs as symbolic tools
A leitmotif is a recurring musical theme associated with a particular character, situation, or idea. Composers use leitmotifs for continuity and to symbolise other narrative elements. Remember the shark theme from Jaws? The two notes, E and F, repeating and increasing in tempo whenever the shark is present enhance the tension because we know what’s coming.
In Star Wars, the Imperial March is a leitmotif for Darth Vader and the Empire. It’s instantly recognisable and connected to Vader’s presence and the theme of opposition. In Inception, the slowed-down version of Édith Piaf’s Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien illustrates the manipulation of time in dreams.
Musical themes as concepts
In The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Shire theme, with a light, rustic melody, symbolises home, peace, and simplicity. This theme evolves as the story progresses to reflect the characters’ journeys and becomes a symbol of their roots and their desire to get back home to their peaceful lives.
Symbolism in song lyrics
Some films have songs with lyrics, like in The Graduate. Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence plays during important scenes, adding to feelings of alienation and confusion, so we get a better sense of the protagonist’s struggles.
Ambient sounds
In horror films, ambient sounds like creaking doors, whispers, and footsteps often symbolise the presence of unseen threats or the psychological state of the characters. In A Quiet Place (2018), it’s the use of silence (and so the lack of sound) that symbolises the oppressive world they’re living in.
Symbolism in costume design
The choice of colour and fabric in costumes can symbolise various bits of a character’s personality or journey. In The Matrix, Neo’s transformation from an average person to ‘The One’ is mirrored in his clothing, because he starts out wearing subdued colours and ordinary clothes and then evolves to a sleek, black outfit that demonstrates his new power and identity.
Costume designers sometimes use historical and cultural references. In Black Panther, the costumes are designed to reflect various African cultures, so they’re all about heritage and identity.
Environmental symbolism
Where a film takes place is also usually a symbol for wider themes. In Parasite, the contrast between the cramped, lower-class Kim family’s home and the grand, upper-class Park family’s house reinforces the social divide and the themes of class struggle and aspiration.
Prop significance
In Citizen Kane, the snow globe represents Kane’s lost innocence and happier childhood. It pops up in key scenes to hammer home those themes of memory, loss, and fleeting happiness.
Dialogue and names
Even dialogue and character names can be loaded with meaning. In Blade Runner (1982), Roy Batty’s ‘tears in rain’ monologue is symbolic of the transient nature of life, really doubling down on the existential themes in the film.
Conclusion
Symbolism is everywhere you look in film. Often combined with visual metaphors, it’s an essential tool when it comes to the type of filmmaking where you really want the audience to connect on a deeper level.
By recognising and understanding symbolism in film, you can get new meaning out of it and an overall better experience. That said, you don’t need to watch a movie like a hawk, looking out for any and all things that might be symbolic—if we try to wring too much meaning out of something, we can ruin our enjoyment of it!
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About this page
This page was written by Marie Gardiner. Marie is a writer, author, and photographer. It was edited by Andrew Blackman. Andrew is a freelance writer and editor, and is a copy editor for Envato Tuts+.