Literal vs. Symbolic Thinking

Literal vs. Symbolic Thinking

 

Literal thinking is taking something at face value, and that's all there is. There is no deeper meaning. Usually, it describes the physical attributes of an object.

For instance, a dove is a white bird with two wings, hallow bones, and a beak. In addition, it flys smoothly across the sky. This is describing the dove at a literal level of thinking.

 

Symbolic thinking is looking at the deeper meaning and understaning the various concepts that object can represent. It has many layers that can be continusously discovered and analyzed.

Describing a dove at a symbolic level of thinking adds several dimensions of various concepts. A Dove is the symbol of peace, hope, and love. It also represents purity because it is completely white in color without any blemishes.