Did you know that roses can represent love or that lilies can represent beauty? Symbolism is “the practice of representing things by symbols or investing things with symbolic meaning or character” according to (dictionary.com). Symbolism has been used throughout the world and can vary across cultures due to the various ideals and qualities it can represent, in literature and in art. In the late 19th century, symbolism originally developed as a literary movement, soon it was associated in the artwork of a young artist. They believed that art should reflect an idea or emotion rather than symbolizing the natural world. In many works of art, symbolism adds a quality or idea as in "The Virgin and Child with Saints Peter Paul and the Donor" (1505) by G Bellini. The background illustrates the sky as the marble floor of the painting contrasts with the natural background, giving a heavenly feel. Intentionally, symbolism formed in reaction to impressionism and naturalism. Often the color or hue of a painting can bring out many emotions, blue for example can represent calm and red can represent passion or anger. Many art objects also represent other things beyond themselves. Mirrors can be a sign of the sun, broken, they represent separation or bad luck. Most symbolist painters used objects and gave them deeper meanings such as death, religion and love. Additionally, many artists intentionally made the meaning of their painting unclear and did not clarify it, leading most viewers to interpret the painting however they wanted. In addition to this symbolism, it influenced two later art movements, surrealism and expressionism. Symbolism in American culture can be easily found because we see symbols every day. For example a four l...... middle of paper ......-popular-objects. yourdictionary.com. “Examples of Symbolism,” March 11, 2014. http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples-of-symbolism.html. Eva Ketter Labiak. Answers.com. “That’s what it meant: symbolism in poetry.” March 11, 2014 http://english.answers.com/history-of-literature/thats-what-it-meant-symbolism-in-poetryHolly Quinn. Huffingtonpost.com. “Dreams About Being Chased: Dream Meanings Explained.” March 11, 2014. 07/13/2011. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/symb/hd_symb.htm.Rebecca Turner. Lucid Dream World.com. "30 Common Dream Symbols and Their Mysterious Meanings". March 11, 2014. http://www.world-of-lucid-dreaming.com/30-common-dream-symbols.htmlHolly Quinn. Huffingtonpost.com. “Dreams About Being Chased: Dream Meanings Explained.” March 11, 2014. 07/13/2011http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/13/dreams-about-being-chased_n_891410.html