Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Symbols of Spring before the Green

Symbols are life giving, they help define moments when words leave blanks. Certainly words can be symbols in themselves, one word can evoke strong feelings, can change the course of someones well being. Like a label one word can define us. Change our course of happiness or frustrations.

During a baptism of my friend’s baby, I found the priest lacking in his way to celebrate the moment. I leaned towards my friend and said, “Isn’t he boring, he could make this beautiful by his words!” My friend simply said, “The symbol lives regardless of his words.”

The power of symbols.

The swastika-

The raised host of communion-

A strong handshake-

A wink of the eye-

McDonald’s Golden Arches-

Red roses.

The symbol provokes.

What helps you see the unseen?

What message do you give by the symbol of your life?

The symbolic gesture does not need to be grand to define the moment.

Comments

26 responses to “Symbols of Spring before the Green”

  1. Kerry

    Hands. A hand to hold. My mother’s hand. My hand as a mother for my children to hold. My yearning for the hand of a strong warm partner. All of us linked by a firm and sturdy grip.
    A little deep, huh? But that’s my symbol for today at least.
    A hand to hold.

    Reply
  2. Connie

    I think I would want my sign to be a child laughing. I am very much still a kid at heart and I so love to laugh. I really like to look at the world with a very positive attitude.
    Take care,
    Connie

    Reply
  3. Lee

    All of the symbols you mention (and every one you haven’t; sorry, doesn’t leave much!) are underpinned by the attitudes of the viewer. People see what they want/expect to see. That doesn’t change their power, just their direction.
    To paraphrase something I read once: symbolic gestures may be misunderstood, but give them anyway.
    Especially the roses.

    Reply
  4. Carol

    A real smile is the most beautiful symbol for me and flowers!
    I’ve experienced the same you did at your friends baptism and my daughters confirmation. So boring!Very sad that!
    Are that old stamps in your picture?

    Reply
  5. Maureen

    The heart is my symbol. A beating heart…life. A racing heartbeat….excitement/fear. An open heart…compassion/understanding. A full heart….love. A cold heart….hatred.

    Reply
  6. Shannon Lewis

    Smiles are my symbol.
    That is how Jeff knew I was interested when we first met, and it’s how my kids know that I love them. Their faces glow when I smile at them 🙂

    Reply
  7. jann mumford

    The symbol of a genuine smile,warm and embracing. It maybe the easiest for me to convey.

    Reply
  8. berriehead

    a simple *smile* to be given or received- and all is good in my world;o)

    Reply
  9. Holly

    Sunshine…

    Reply
  10. Dianne Schwartz

    A wounded heart to reach out and touch with healing.

    Reply
  11. susan

    The symbol for me today is the = sign. All things being equal, balanced and in harmony.
    hmmm, and i am not a big fan of math!

    Reply
  12. andrea

    Are these old handmade stamps? Really neet! Hmmmm, gestures or symbols. I would have to say that some thing as simple as a smile holds tremendous power for me. It’s that smile of recognition. That you belong and they are happy to see you.
    a.

    Reply
  13. diana

    ooooh I have to think about this a bit more… but for now it would be two hands joined… I try to reach out to others and I treasure those hands who reach out to me….

    Reply
  14. Josephine

    Corey,
    This is a very thought provoking peice. I would like to think on it a while, because it is worth at least a while of thought…
    I think a few of my symbols are heart shapes, stars, and flowers. Those are the things I always draw when I’m talking on the phone…
    Buenas Dias, Corey!!
    ~Josephine

    Reply
  15. expatraveler

    I’m not sure if I’m going deep enough but…
    I just love the fresh air, popping up of flowers before they turn to green bushes and all of the weeds that I never knew where beautiful flowers in the desert once upon a time…
    Of course photography speaks those words infinitely…

    Reply
  16. la vie en rose

    i have 2 tattoos–one, a wildflower, symbolizes my rebirth after my divorce. the second, a bumble bee, representing my son, my B. i’m planning a third–a bird with the words ‘live your poem’ for this new chapter of becoming.

    Reply
  17. Nicole

    I haven’t found my symbol yet, but as soon as I do, I am having it tattooed on my body.
    But I won’t tell you where!
    Okay, maybe you.

    Reply
  18. shelley

    a symbol..what came to me was …. pride, happiness,love and tears,,im talking about my son brent,,he ran 70 yds for a touchdown …i was in the end zone and i could see the grin on his face as he scored the touchdown …it was sure pride,,,,,

    Reply
  19. snowsparkle

    the way snow sparkles in the moonlight symbolizes the kind of energy, mystery and juiciness that keeps me going in life. thanks for a thought provoking piece. i’ve been asked me to be my dearest friend’s granddaughter’s godmother. i think i’ll wear a bit of sparkle to the christening.

    Reply
  20. Mary Jane

    You have an an amazing friend. Her words are powerful.

    Reply
  21. lulu

    A few words from you puts things into perfect perspective! Sometimes I forget how the miracle of feeling the wind on my skin can bring tears to my eyes. Those are the things that mean the most. ((((hugs)))) lulu

    Reply
  22. Gina

    My symbol is, whatever the symbol for symbol is : )

    Reply
  23. Maggie

    my symbol is a handful of grain to represent the abundance of gleanings in my life.
    Thanks for being the very first to comment on my blog.
    maggie

    Reply
  24. jinxthegypsy

    Such an interesting thought…symbols. They are all around us. Though , I will need to think about the symbol of life.

    Reply
  25. pixie

    mmmmm-the circle. you been reading jung lately?

    Reply
  26. Shelley Noble

    I just found you, but I am amazed at how many links and interests we have in common. I look forward to reading more of your blog to see what else I will love as you do.
    Isn’t is strange how many blogs one can read that also visit many of the same people one does? Perhaps it’s a phenomenon of the internet, a self-selecting community of sorts?
    Cheers, Shelley

    Reply

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