Symbolic representation

Beyond words: The language of symbols in art

Words can only take us so far. When grappling with complex emotions, we often find ourselves at a loss. Therapeutic art offers a powerful alternative: the language of symbols.

By incorporating symbolic imagery and metaphors, individuals can bypass the limitations of verbal communication and delve deeper into our inner world. This exploration fosters self-awareness, allowing us to navigate difficult feelings and gain a greater understanding of ourselves.

Common Symbolic Representations

Positive emotions

Happiness: Bright colors, sunshine, flowers, birds flying upwards

Gratitude: Open hands, overflowing baskets, symbols of abundance.

Hope: Light at the end of a tunnel, sunrise, birds soaring upwards.

Joy: Dancing figures, vibrant colors, expressive lines.

Love: Hearts, soft colors, embracing figures, doves

Peace: Dove, tranquil landscapes, calming colours (blue, green), soft textures.

Negative emotions

Anger: Red color, sharp lines, fire, jagged shapes

Betrayal: Broken trust symbolised by a shattered mirror, a knife in the back, a Judas figure.

Envy: Sharp, pointed objects directed towards another figure, a distorted self-image compared to another.

Fear: Dark and enclosed spaces, monsters, sharp objects

guilt heavy burden object on shoulder symbol

Guilt: Dark, enclosed spaces, heavy objects weighing down a figure, hands covering the face.

Jealousy: Claws reaching out to grasp something, a green-colored palette, a figure separated from another by a barrier.

Sadness: Dark colors, rain, wilted flowers, drooping figures (downward strokes)

Shame: A hidden figure, a person with their back turned to the viewer, downward gaze.

Complex emotions

Ambivalence: Using contrasting colors, light and dark areas, or figures pulled in opposing directions.

Anxiety: Scribbling, chaotic lines, tightly closed shapes.

Grief: Broken objects, empty chairs, falling leaves.

isolation figure surrounded by negative space symbol

Isolation: A lone figure on a vast landscape, a person surrounded by empty space.

Keep in mind

Symbolism is a personal language. There are no right or wrong interpretations. What matters most is your emotional connection to the symbols.
New symbols can emerge during the art-making process, offering deeper insights.

By incorporating symbolic representation, therapeutic art empowers individuals to express their inner world and embark on a journey of emotional healing.

Objects and themes

Animal: The meaning of an animal varies depending on its specific species. A soaring eagle could symbolise freedom and power, while a caged bird might represent feeling trapped.

House: Represents sense of security and self

Journey: Life path, growth, and change

Landscape: Mountains can represent challenges, while a clear path signifies direction. A storm-filled landscape could symbolise emotional turmoil.

Mask: Hiding true self, different personas

Maze: Confusion, searching for a way out

Mirror: Self-reflection, confronting the true self, self-perception.

Transformation: Caterpillars morphing into butterflies, chrysalis stages, emerging from darkness into light.

Tree: Represents growth, strength, resilience. A bare tree could symbolize feelings of isolation or loss of vitality, while a tree with strong roots signifies grounding and stability.

Water: Can symbolise emotions themselves (flowing water - calmness, crashing waves - anger). Still water can represent introspection or a need for clarity.