Symbols in art are our oldest form of visual communication and convey meaning beyond what's obvious.

Symbols are pictures, images, or objects used to represent ideas, concepts, beliefs, attitudes, or feelings. Symbols can have deep meaning and can evoke powerful emotion, such as the crucifix in Christianity or the Star of David in Judaism.

For a symbol to have significance, its meaning must be known to the viewers. Take, for example, the Chinese symbol for yin and yang. To those who understand its origins as an explanation of the workings of the universe, it is a symbol for the idea that one thing cannot exist without the other. To those who don't know the symbol's meaning, it's an intriguing design with opposing colors and interlocking shapes. It doesn't mean viewers can't enjoy it; it simply means they don't know its deeper or hidden significance. Similarly, a sound such as "meow" to represent a cat has a meaning known to many, but it could be replaced with a word like "jalley" if everyone memorized the new sound and agreed on its meaning.

Symbols in art are humans’ oldest form of visual communication. Artists have incorporated symbols into their work since humans first began to delve into the world of visual expression and they painted on cave walls. During later times, those unable to read could still follow along in, say, religious events by looking at and understanding the paintings in their churches. Puzzles, riddles, and symbols are still part of the vast appeal of art.

In art, what do the following usually symbolize?

1. Coral

Protection against illness or evil. For instance, in Piero della Francesca's painting “Pala di San Bernardino” from The Brera Altarpiece (1472), the infant Jesus wears a necklace of coral beads and has a small coral branch lying on his chest. The red of the coral may represent the blood of Christ and can be construed as protection against his future Passion and Resurrection.

2. A book

The book – the idea of a book or the image of a book – is a symbol of learning or of transmitting knowledge.

3. A lute with broken strings

Death or discord. For example, in Holbein's painting “The Ambassadors“(1533) the lute's single broken string may symbolically represent discord in the Church.

4. A distaff?

A distaff is a wooden tool used in spinning that holds wool or flax fibers. It was the medieval symbol of women's work and has come to stand for the domestic role of women.

5. A candle?

A lighted candle generally indicates the passing of time or perhaps faith in God.

An extinguished candle, on the other hand, symbolizes death or the loss of virginity.

6. fasces?

What is meant by “fasces”? The traditional Roman fasces consisted of a bundle of birch rods tied together with a red ribbon as a cylinder around an axe. Used in art, it stands for unity.

7. A clock

The passing of time. So what do Dali’s melting clocks stand for?

8. A sphere

The sphere, with its inherent instability, is used to illustrate chance, fortune, or uncertainty. This is portrayed in Albrecht Durer’s etching “Das Kleine Glück” where a figure attempts to stand straight while balancing on a sphere.

9. A mirror?

A mirror can stand for either truth or vanity. Mirrors provide images of a viewer that reflect what others see. The self-awareness they allow can lead to fruitful introspection and the viewer’s attempts to get to “truth.” Alternatively, the mirror can simply lead to unfortunate vanity.

Source:

http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/s/symbol.html