Symbolism Of Bridge Essay

A symbol is a conception of human mind to understand the underlying meaning of a certain object that exists in nature. Symbolism is an urge to attach a meaning of literature and life to everything we experience. There is an element of universality in the meaning symbolised but this is also often influenced by the values, beliefs and fears of the cultural group to which an individual belongs. Few examples of symbols that we encounter in everyday life are – sun, seasons, colours etc.
Out of the many symbols bridge is one such structure which has a universal, cultural and personal symbol attached to it. The word bridge is derived from brycg in Old English which means a construction or natural feature that spans a gap or barrier to provide passage. As an archetype symbol, bridge is perceived as a connection between two sides. It is seen as a means to cross over or overcome obstacles in order to reach a destination. It represents a journey towards a change. In the tarot card, bridge symbolises a progression or a connection. It gives a sense of hope by bringing together or connecting two separated and far-off parts. Bridge is often

It was symbolised as a path that one needs to take after death. A good soul was believed to reach the other side of the bridge and reach heaven while a bad soul was believed to fall off the bridge midway and land in hell. Therefore, bridge was mythically symbolised as a movement towards a better place surpassing obstacles. The transformation of bridge from a mythical symbol to a physical manifestation as a means to cross over gap has been tremendous. If we look back at the Indian Epic Ramayana, it is believed that Lord Rama built a bridge with stones with his army to save his wife, Sita. Construction of bridges evolved from wooden planks to stones and now to iron