I'm going to go on a little rant this morning. Advice from a Novice part III is coming along, but it isn't finished yet, and I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd throw this one out there to buy some time.

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I am really big on symbolism in writing. Fiction, in my opinion, is all about symbolism (otherwise, why would we be reading about a series of phenomenons that didn't happen, happening to a series of people who never existed?)—especially Fantasy. If you've read my previous fiction reviews, you'll have gotten at least a hint of a few of my opinions on the subject. :-)

Anyways, because I'm a Christian, symbolism is given even more meaning. The Bible is filled with symbolism, and it can be a lot of fun to sort and figure it out (*ahem* try to, anyways).

So one of the things that comes up a lot in debates with friends is the symbol of the dragon. Is it a symbol of Satan, or Christ—or both at different times? What are the Greek and Hebrew roots to all of the different references to dragons in the Old and New Testaments? If it IS a symbol of Satan, can it be acceptable for use as a symbol of Christ or Christians at times?

It's all quite confusing, and while I have my opinions on many of these things, I'm not going to really go into that much right now. What I want to talk about is one particular argument that I've seen lots of times. I'm gonna use fictional characters to illustrate. I'm even going to mix and match to create my own names for them. Be impressed. (;-P)

Evily: The dragon is a symbol of Satan in the Bible. We oughtn't to use it as a symbol of good.

Aarick: But according to 1 Peter 5:8, Satan is a lion too, and you don't seem to have a problem with, say, Aslan.

Now, here's where I get frustrated. Let's look at two passages—one from Revelation 12, on the Dragon, and the aforementioned 1 Peter 5:8.

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

~Revelation 12:7-9

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

~1 Peter 5:8

Now, here's the difference. Revelation doesn't say, “The devil, Satan, the deceiver of the world, who is like a great dragon.” The dragon IS Satan. That is symbolism. The 1 Peter verse doesn't say, “the devil, that roaring lion,” “the devil is a roaring lion,” or even just use a lion to symbolize the devil. It says the devil prowls around LIKE a roaring lion. That is not symbolism—that is a simile.

Who can guess what the next step is? Yep—you got it. Hold on a sec while I consult my good friend Mr. Webster.

Symbol:

“1. The sign or representation of any moral thing by the images or properties of natural things. Thus the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience. Symbols are of various kinds, as types, enigmas, parables, fables, allegories, emblems, hieroglyphics, &c.

2. An emblem or representation of something else. Thus in the eucharist, the bread and wine are called symbols of the body and blood of Christ.”

Simile:

“In rhetoric, similitude; a comparison of two thing which, however different in other respects, have some strong point or points of resemblance; by which comparison, the character or qualities of a thing are illustrated or presented in an impressive light. Thus, the eloquence of Demosthenes was like a rapid torrent; that of Cicero, like a large stream that glides smoothly along with majestic tranquility.”

Obviously, the two words have similarities. But they aren't the same, and the Bible supports that statement.

Evily: Well, now—that's an interesting thought. Let's follow through with it. Take a look at Revelation 3:3:

“Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.'”

Do you see the implications of Aarick's argument? If, “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,” means that the lion is being used as a symbol of the devil, then, “I will come like a thief,” must mean that the symbol used for the Holy Spirit here is a thief. But there's something wrong with that, because the eighth commandment forbids stealing. Why would the Bible use a lawbreaker as as symbol for the One who created the law itself? That makes no sense.

There you have my argument against one kind of symbolism misuse.