Powerful Symbols – 200 Common Objects and Their Meanings

Symbols are commonly used in drama works and theatre performances as a sophisticated method of communicating meaning to an audience. By definition, a symbol must go beyond its literal meaning initially conveyed or understood.

In the theatre, symbols can be anything from props, sets, costumes and gestures to colours, movement, sounds, concepts and words.

If you are a drama student, using an object as a prop is the easiest way to understand and implement a symbol in a performance. Physical objects usually require less conceptualising in order to convey a symbolic meaning than is sometimes found when relating an idea or hand gesture, which is often very challenging.

Objects become symbolic in the theatre when we give them a specific context via plot, characters and themes. A simple prop can suddenly become significant and represent something beyond its literal meaning. This is often an abstract quality such as a concept usually linked by association or resemblance.

In the late 19th century, there was even a short-lived but significant movement in the theatre based purely on symbolism.

Objects can also prove very powerful symbols in films as can be seen below in this excellent video on why props matter in movies.

Below is an updated list of 200 common objects with their symbolic meaning(s). This list is now double the length of the previous list, with new symbolic meanings added.

It also includes not just objects, but the occasional body part (eye, hand), animal (wolf, deer, owl, lion, spider), and natural phenomena (lightning, storm) to aid students in understanding these examples can be incorporated into scripts and dialogue and be referred to in the drama for symbolic meaning, even if they cannot physically be presented be on stage.

Reasons vary as to why particular objects are symbolic of certain abstract ideas, though these explanations are usually steeped in history, religion and culture. Don’t be confused if you see on this list completely opposite symbolic meanings for the same object. While unusual, this can occasionally occur because objects can sometimes mean different things in different cultures. Not all objects have a single, universally accepted symbolic meaning.

Teachers and students are encouraged to use some of the objects listed below as a symbol in drama work in the classroom and see if the intended symbolism was successfully conveyed to the audience in the performance. Good luck!

Common Objects and Their Meanings As a Symbol