SYMBOL

                                                               SYMBOL

 The word symbol derives from the Greek verb ‘symballein’ to throw together ‘and its noun

symbolon, ‘mark, emblem, token or sign. In the broadest sense a symbol is anything which signifies something.

In this sense all words are symbol .In case of literature, however, the term ‘symbol’ is applied to a word or phrase that signifies an object or event which in its turn signifies  something beyond itself some symbols are ‘conventional’ or public’ while some poets use ‘private’ or personal’ symbols.

Let us take an example of the word ‘rose’ which in its literal use signifies a kind of flower .In Robert Burns line “O my love’s like a red ,red rose,” the word rose is used as a symbol of beauty.