There Is Meaning in Everything: The Ever-Shifting Power of Symbols

There is meaning in everything.

Whether carved into stone, stitched into fabric, or flashed across a screen at 90 miles an hour, symbols shape how we understand the world around us. They carry our stories, our fears, our beliefs, and our identities. And perhaps the most fascinating thing about symbols is that they are alive—they evolve. A single shape can mean one thing to one person, the opposite to another, and transform entirely as centuries turn over.

 

Symbols Are Not Fixed—They’re Fluid

 

A symbol is never just its lines or colours. It’s the emotional weight we attach to it, the memories we carry, the culture we grew up in, and the stories we were told.

Take the crescent moon. To some, it’s a sign of renewal and feminine energy; to others, it’s a marker of faith and community. In ancient Mesopotamia it was tied to lunar gods; today it’s found on jewellery, tattoos, flags, phone lock screens, astrology apps, and witchcraft TikTok feeds. Same symbol, wildly different meanings depending on who is looking.

 

Time Changes Everything—Even the Familiar

As societies shift, symbols are constantly rewritten.

 

The heart shape—everywhere on Valentine’s Day, emojis, neon signs, and acrylic keyrings—was never originally about romance. Its earliest uses referenced leaves, seeds, and even medicinal herbs. Over centuries it transformed into the universal shorthand for love.

The serpent is another example. In modern Western culture it’s often seen as sinister or dangerous. Yet across much of ancient world lore, snakes symbolised healing, eternity, rebirth, and guardianship of knowledge. Today you’ll see serpents woven through fashion logos, jewellery brands, TikTok aesthetics, and tattoo art—echoes of those ancient beliefs resurfacing in new forms.

 

Modern Logos With Ancient Roots

 

Even our sleek, modern branding owes debts to old mythologies and archetypes:

• The Apple logo quietly echoes ancient themes: knowledge, temptation, curiosity, enlightenment—the very traits tied to apples across folklore and scripture. Whether intentional or not, the symbol taps into that deep-rooted association: the fruit that opens the mind.
• Starbucks’ siren is lifted from maritime mythology. Not just a pretty mermaid, but a twin-tailed siren—a symbol sailors once believed could lure them into the unknown. Today she represents irresistible appeal and discovery. The meaning shifted from danger to delight, but the archetype stays the same.
• The Bluetooth rune is literally ancient writing resurrected. Named after the Viking king Harald Bluetooth, the logo merges two runic symbols—ᚼ (Hagall) and ᛒ (Bjarkan). What was once scratched into wood by Norse hands is now on millions of phones and headphones. A thousand-year-old alphabet powering your wireless earbuds.
• The recycling symbol—three interlocking arrows—mirrors early Celtic triple-knot motifs, representing cycles, eternity, and the interconnectedness of life. The intention is different today, but the visual rhythm is familiar: continuity, flow, return.

We Still Seek What Our Ancestors Sought

Modern life feels high-tech, fast, and brand-driven, yet our symbolic language hasn’t changed as much as we think. We still reach for shapes that promise protection, transformation, belonging, mystery, and identity. Whether it’s a pendant, a tattoo, a corporate logo, a phone icon, or a piece of handcrafted wall art, symbols continue to do what they’ve always done:

They help us make sense of the world.

They anchor us to stories older than we are.

They remind us that meaning isn’t static.

It evolves as we do.

And That’s the Magic

A symbol on your wall doesn’t have to mean what it meant a thousand years ago—or even what it means to the person standing next to you. Its power comes from the connection you feel, the interpretation you give it, and the story you decide it tells.

There is meaning in everything.

And you get to choose what the meaning becomes next.