Symbolic work

The importance of symbols for humanity

Throughout history, humanity has relied on symbols to understand itself and the world around it. Cave paintings, myths, and rituals tell stories through symbols – each image, story, and element carrying a deeper meaning within itself. Symbolic thinking is an integral part of humanity; it is reflected in the metaphors of our language, in our art, and in our dreams. Symbols give form to things that are difficult to find direct words for – they are a common language that can bring inner experiences to the outer world.

Symbolic work refers to consciously working with these signs and images. In practice, it can be, for example, dream interpretation, studying tarot cards, or even using personal power objects. Symbolic work manifests itself both in small everyday moments, such as a lucky amulet around the neck that brings certainty, and in deep spiritual experiences, such as the images that surface during meditation. Symbolic work is a way to participate in the ancient story of humanity: to search for meaning and connection to ourselves through the rich world of symbols.

Why is this so important for humans? Because symbols give voice to the unconscious – they bring to light layers of human experience that logical reason alone cannot always express.

Symbols in the light of psychology and neuroscience

Symbolic thinking is a natural way for the human mind to structure reality. Symbols live in images, objects, and events that carry layers of meaning.

Brain research supports this experience: encountering a symbol – whether it’s a powerful dream or a tarot card – is not just a cognitive event. Both emotions and reason are activated. Roughly divided, the left hemisphere of the brain is associated with analytical and linguistic thinking, while the right hemisphere processes wholes, images and emotions. Understanding symbols requires the cooperation of these hemispheres.

An interesting finding concerns a brain region called the precuneus , which is located right on the border between the right and left hemispheres. This region has been found to be particularly active during intuitive perception – for example, when an expert quickly recognizes a complex pattern without conscious analysis. Neuroscientist Christof Koch wrote in Scientific American (2015) that professional shogi players activated the precuneus when they saw familiar game situations and immediately “knew” what to do, even if they could not immediately justify why. This suggests that intuitive and symbolic understanding arises when the cognitive and experiential aspects are combined.

Psychologists have also stated that humans are naturally symbolic thinkers. Even a small child can play with images: a stick becomes a sword, a box becomes a castle. This ability to use things as representatives of others develops flexibility of thought and lays the foundation for deeper interpretation of meanings.

Symbolic thinking is a kind of multitasking of the inner world – the ability to perceive meanings not only through thought but also through senses, emotions, memories and imagination. This is what makes symbols such a powerful bridge to deeper understanding – both of oneself and of life.