“The unreal is more powerful than the real. Because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. Because it’s only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die. But things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on. If you can change the way people think. The way they see themselves. The way they see the world. You can change the way people live their lives. That’s the only lasting thing you can create” (Believe Quotes (1912 quotes)). Believe it or not, every country has a unique definition of symbolism. There is a multitude of subjects that can be symbolized, such as gesture, color, and animals. Birds are a good example of symbolism across vertical cultures. The black crow in Taiwan represents death, ominous and fear. However, in Japan black crow is symbolized as auspicious. A stark difference is observable between how Taiwanese and Japanese see one kind of bird.
Symbolism has played an important role from a long time ago. People believed in something that will bring auspices or misfortunes. In Taiwan, there was a story that has been believed for a long time. People believed that the black crow is the announcer of death who would appear just in the time to carry a soul from the land of the living. Therefore in Taiwanese belief, when a person said something negative to another person, we usually say that he has a “crow’s beak”. “Crow’s beak” is the bad things he said might happen. Even though crows weren’t often seen in life, people will still be aware of them. In the early time, Taiwanese people see “black” or “white” as unlucky or death, the crow was thought of as the realm of death. People will think that seeing black crows will make you be in danger or ominous. Anything that has to do with black or white becomes the symbolism of death in Taiwan in people’s beliefs.
The difference symbolism of the black crow between Japan and Taiwan is that in Taiwan, the black crow brings bad luck to people. Unlike Taiwan, in Japan, the black crows bring good luck and also bring auspice to the people. Furthermore, in Japan, some local people will say that if a black crow “caws,” it will take away people’s lives or souls. Black crows are also symbolized as being respectful to your parents. Different countries have different beliefs or cultural thoughts, we should be more respectful to others, not regard them as weird and taboo because they might have the same idea as yours. Being respectful to other people’s opinions is also an important thing to do in your life so they will also show respect to you too.
Different cultures have a different point of view of a symbol, each country has its way to define them. This symbolism often came from people’s beliefs and what people thought of them. Hence, we should avoid what people are aware of or things that people don’t like and should respect the differences between these meanings of symbolism. In conclusion, symbolism has been around us. No matter what country you are in, it will always take an important role in our life.
