Symbolism from the point of view of traditionalism

Abstract

Traditionalism is the belief in the eternal Truth that comes from the Absolute and the Infinite, and is manifested in the traditions for human beings. The term symbol and its derivatives is a key word for traditionalists. The philosophical expression of symbolism can be seen in the Plato's theory of ideas. In Plato's philosophy, the foundation of symbolism is referred to as "the paradigmatic cause". The paradigmatic cause is the idea of an object which the creation is made according to it. Therefore, each symbol represents a supreme truth. The true basis of symbolism is that all beings, in different degrees, are interconnected and in the same harmony, they are aligned with each other. Hence, the symbolism has a supra human essence and is not a contract, and the truth of the object is somehow present in the symbol. Symbolism is the language of metaphysics and understanding the symbolic meaning requires wisdom.