Shared Cultural Symbols
A Pre-Visit Lesson to Asian Gardens: Science and Culture
Objectives: To discuss the reasons why certain ideas become cultural symbols.
To compare and contrast the cultural symbols of countries which are
geographically related.
Curricular Area: Social Studies
Time: One class period
Materials: Images of the following: The Seal of the United States, the Seal of Mexico, the
Flag of the United States, the Flag of Mexico
Background: The term ‘cultural symbol’ describes anything that serves as a representative of
an idea concerning a given culture. Cultural symbols may have internal
significance, like a religious icon, or may serve as an outward representation of
that culture, like a recognizable building or a style of dress. Identifying cultural
symbols and investigating their origins can often provide insight into that
culture’s history and values.
Cultural symbols are drawn from a variety of sources. Historical figures,
buildings and artifacts often become cultural icons, especially if they are
associated with heroic deeds or events of which the people of the culture are
particularly proud. Cultural symbols may also be derived from local wildlife,
plants, natural features, heavenly bodies or natural phenomenon. Colors and
shapes are often associated with different ideas in different cultures, and even
music styles and sounds may take on cultural significance.
Many cultures share cultural symbols. This may happen because one culture
descended from another and kept the symbols of its parent culture as it
developed. It may also be that one culture was influenced by another and
adopted its symbols as its own.
In this lesson, you will examine examples of shared cultural symbols and
discuss how the symbols became important to the two cultures that claim them.
Procedure: Discuss with students how they would define a ‘cultural symbol’. As a group,
make a list of symbols of American culture, what you feel each ‘says’ about
America, and (where possible) how it came to be a symbol.
Display the seals of the United States and of Mexico. Have students identify
ways in which the two seals are similar. Note, in particular, that each features
an eagle.
