Symbolic identity

June 26th, 2023

Every self-identity, of everyone — is symbolic. There is nothing literal or realistic about any self-made and self-presented identity. That may sound strange, but I think that is the case. We all operate in an existential paradox where our self is a creation of individuality within finitude. Our symbolic self is the only thing that separates us from nature — please note I didn't say it makes us better.

All the things that in total make up our internal being, our character traits, our idiosyncrasies, our history, our upbringing, our convictions, and beliefs exist only as a response or as a mirror to symbols of personality that make up the totality of the experience of humankind. It starts with a name, which is a powerful symbol itself and something that defines us from the earliest age. And symbolically presents us to every other person we meet.

We are given the tools for the symbols to use and mold and reuse and discover anew and shape into what fits our needs for self-identity. We can create ourselves or at least a vision of ourselves within the infinitely vast canvas that is bound only by our imagination. We are creators that can speculate about atoms or galaxies and, at the same time, we can speculate about time and infinity. And our place in all that. We need to use symbols not to comprehend what surrounds us (which I think is impossible), but not to go crazy. The immense complexity and diversity and ethereality and brutality rolled into one life-long experience is beyond systematics. It needs to be turned into symbols, or symbolic retorts just to keep us sane. That is the paradox of self-identity — on one hand, we reach for stars and understand unspoken spirituality, on the other, we are housed within fleshy material that requires instinct and natural stimuli to exist.