Meaning of Symbols and Metaphors

Symbols and metaphors are everywhere: in science, art, religion, literature, and dreams. They act as messengers of otherwise elusive messages and can open new avenues of thought. The word symbol itself comes from the Greek and means sign. Metaphors, which means transfer, originate also from Greek. Stories and metaphors can have something in common. The function of the story is to bridge the gap between the ordinary and the extraordinary or unexpected, unpredictable. In the same way, metaphors build a bridge between the concrete, known, and the abstract, unknown.