The Language of Symbols / Sembollerin Dili | Efe Elmas | TEDxAlsancak Salon

Introduction to Symbols and Their Significance

• The concept of symbols is explored, and an example is given of two scenarios where a pen is used, one in a mundane setting, such as a bank or a Schengen visa line, and the other in a more emotional setting, such as a dying grandfather asking a family member to write something, highlighting how the pen in the second scenario becomes a meaningful symbol due to the emotional connection 42s.
• The idea that symbols are an inherent part of human nature is discussed, and it is noted that people often assume that symbols are not present in their lives, but in reality, humans think in symbols, and the speaker's profession as a symbol scientist, or sembol bilimci, is mentioned 2m6s.
• The speaker's personal experience with symbols is shared, starting from their childhood, where they reportedly wanted to become a magician, and later, in elementary school, they filled out a mini survey where they wrote that they wanted to become a government official, highlighting the contrast between these two aspirations 4m6s.
• The speaker's inner conflict between being a dreamer, who wrote, drew, and had vivid imaginations, and being a realist, who read scientific books and wrote academic articles, is described, as well as the coexistence of being both a believer and a skeptic 6m6s.

Personal Journey and the Discovery of Symbol Science

• The speaker's journey to discovering their profession as a symbol scientist is touched upon, mentioning how they had difficulty explaining their job to others, giving various answers such as writer, educator, or food engineer, but eventually realizing that their work was deeply connected to symbols and symbol science 5m6s.
• The individual enjoyed reading books related to science and the unknown, and after entering Bornadolu Lisesi, they decided to read sacred texts, which, although difficult to understand due to the language and their age, revealed a common language and expression among them 10s.
• This common language was found to be the language of symbols, and upon further exploration of various subjects such as tasavvuf, kabala, gnosticism, simya, hermetism, and paganism, it became clear that these sacred texts shared a common value and goal, which was to "know oneself" 42s.

The Philosophy of Self-Discovery and Sacred Texts

• The philosophy of "knowing oneself" is a broad and powerful concept that raises questions about the outcome of self-discovery, with all the explored subjects pointing towards the idea of becoming a perfect being, such as "insan-ı kamil" or reaching nirvana 2m6s.
• The concept of the labyrinth, as opposed to the maze, is introduced as a symbol with a single entrance, exit, and destination, and is considered sacred, conveying a message from ancestors about the journey of self-discovery being challenging, with moments of feeling lost, but ultimately leading to finding one's way 2m6s.
• The labyrinth symbol is seen as a representation of the journey of self-discovery, where one may feel lost or uncertain, but will ultimately find their way, as the journey is not just about reaching a destination, but about understanding oneself, including one's strengths, weaknesses, and abilities 4m30s.

Academic Background and the Influence of the Information Age

• The individual's personal journey continued as they entered university, studying food engineering, which was not a deliberate choice, but rather a result of their university entrance exam 6m10s.
• The journey to understand the language of symbols began with a question about when humans started thinking with symbols, which led to the discovery of two significant symbols: the cave and fire, dating back to the Paleolithic era and the Stone Age 10s.
• The use of fire was not naturally occurring, but rather obtained through events like lightning, volcanic eruptions, or forest fires, and its domestication brought about significant changes in human life, including the ability to cook food, which in turn changed the digestive system and mental capabilities 1m20s.

The Symbolism of Fire and the Cave

• Fire symbolizes consciousness, enlightenment, unity, togetherness, and home, and it continues to be a symbol that brings people together, as seen in modern-day gatherings like birthday parties, dates, or family barbecues, where a fire or a bonfire is often present 2m6s.
• The cave is another significant symbol, representing the womb, death, and rebirth, and is often depicted in religious histories and mythologies as a place where prophets or heroes undergo a metaphorical death and rebirth, discovering new truths and rediscovering themselves 3m20s.

The Universal Language of Symbols

• The use of symbols is an inherent part of human nature, and as Eric Fromm said, "The language of symbols is the only universal language that humans speak," highlighting the importance of understanding and appreciating the role of symbols in human life and culture 4m30s.
• Throughout history, humans have continued to evolve and progress, and the study of symbols like the cave and fire provides a glimpse into the past, while also revealing the timelessness and universality of the language of symbols 5m10s.

Crisis and the Symbol of the Circle

• The individual had entered the information age, with the emergence of social media, and was pursuing a master's degree in food virology at İzmir Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü, working with viruses using the RTP PCR method, with one foot in the past and one in the future 10s.
• While studying virology, the individual experienced a breakdown, feeling lost and uncertain about their identity and purpose, wondering if they were meant to be a food engineer or if their research defined them, leading to a sense of disintegration 42s.
• During this period, the symbol of the circle emerged in their life, which is one of the oldest symbols in the world, dating back to the Stone Age, and represents wholeness and completeness, as it is a perfect geometric form that is inclusive 1m6s.
• According to Kal Gustav Jung, humans are born with an authentic identity, known as the self, and as they grow, their ego and self become separate, with the ego constantly searching for the self, which represents wholeness, symbolized by the circle 2m6s.

Rebuilding Identity and Founding Kadim Nisan

• The individual realized they needed to become whole again, and made the decision to leave their master's program, which led to a series of events, including receiving interview requests from readers of their articles, which turned into seminars and eventually led to the establishment of an organization called Kadim Nisan, where they offered education on symbol interpretation and writing 3m6s.
• The individual went on to write two books, one on pan and one on labyrinth, and their life became centered around symbols, and they came to understand that their story is not unique, but rather a common experience shared by many people, who at some point in their lives, question their identity and feel lost 4m6s.

Modern Humanity and the Role of Symbols

• The current state of humanity is marked by concerns about the future, including the impact of technology and climate crisis, but symbols can serve as reminders of important aspects of human existence, such as the idea that getting lost is not a permanent state 10s.
• Symbols like the labyrinth, cave, and fire can remind individuals that their journey is an inner one, and that they are complex beings with flaws and imperfections, but it is through learning from mistakes that people can gain wisdom 42s.
• The circle symbolizes perfection, but human perfection is not about being flawless, rather it is about acknowledging and accepting imperfections, and it is through this acceptance that people can embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth 1m6s.

The Symbol X and the Concept of the Unknown

• The symbol X, often representing the unknown, can be seen in various aspects of life, including mathematics, and has been present in human culture for approximately 40,000 years, symbolizing intersections and the idea that encounters with others can lead to exchange and growth 2m6s.
• The concept of X can also be applied to inner conflicts, where individuals must navigate and reconcile opposing aspects of themselves, and it is through this process that people can find balance and understanding, as represented by the alchemical concept of the philosopher's stone 3m6s.

The Philosopher's Stone and the Mysterious Conjunction

• The concept of the "philosopher's stone" is mentioned, which is believed to bring about a mysterious union, where opposites come together in a state of ultimate unity, and this union is referred to as the "mysterious conjunction" 10s.
• The idea of the "mysterious conjunction" is that it brings together opposing forces, such as sun and moon, day and night, male and female, heaven and earth, and lover and beloved, to create a state of oneness and wholeness, which is also described as a state of transcendence 42s.
• The term "mysterious conjunction" is also used by Carl Gustav Jung in a psychological sense, where it refers to the reconciliation of opposites within an individual, resulting in a state of wholeness and unity 1m30s.

The Etymology and Function of Symbols

• The etymology of the word "symbol" is explored, revealing that it comes from the Greek word "simboloan", which means to bring together or to unite, and symbols have the function of bringing together opposites 2m6s.
• Various symbols are discussed, such as the labyrinth, which represents both loss and self-discovery, the cave, which symbolizes death and rebirth, and fire, which both destroys and unites, demonstrating the symbolic function of reconciling opposites 2m50s.
• The idea is presented that symbols have the power to bring about a sense of wholeness and unity in individuals, and that many people in this era feel fragmented, but symbols can help to restore a sense of completeness 4m10s.

Conclusion and Reflection on Personal and Collective Symbolic Journeys

• The importance of reflecting on personal experiences and identifying the symbols that have brought about a sense of wholeness and unity in one's life is emphasized, and the audience is invited to consider what symbols have had a similar impact on their own lives 5m30s.