[Article] Symbolism and semantics of christianity sign in the context to formative semiotics

Signs have a great influence on human lives. Humans convey their though and information through signs. As for Christianity, Christian signs play a role in communicating and conveying information of Christians. Furthermore, they help to make understanding of Christian ideology in the aspect of religion. However, Christian signs which have importance as Christian meanings have not the established theoretical systemization and visual arrangement, and have not been fully discussed in the aspects of their symbolism and semantics. The author of this study recognized the necessity of study, and aimed to arrange symbolism and semantics of Christian signs. The purposes of this study are to shed new light on symbolism and semantics of Christian signs, and to arrange them so that they can be exactly used by designers who convey messages through visual elements. The procedure of this study is to arrange the concepts of types of signs and formative semiotics necessary for classifying the images of signs. First, as for the types of signs, this study reviewed a method of classifying the signs based on the types of signs in communications. This study found that the types of signs are divided into linguistic signs and non-linguistic signs, in which in turn the non-linguistic signs are divided into three types such as object-related expression, abstract expression, and abstract symbol. Second, with respect to formative semiotics, Adrian Frutiger classified formative semiotics from personal perspective based on cognitive psychology, Gestalt psychology, morphology, human engineering, analysis of human behaviors, etc. This study applied formative semiotics of Adrian Frutiger in accordance with its purpose, and re-established a method of classifying formative semiotics. In the course of reviewing a method of classifying formative semiotics, the author of this study drew a conclusion that symbolism of signs and their semantics vary depending on the types and positions of signs. This study classified Christian symbols found in Christian history into 6 categories, such as nature, plants, animals, human beings, artificial objects, and abstract forms. For exact formative analysis of Christian signs, it excluded colors, except for black and white which were used for arranging signs. In addition, this study arranged linguistic symbols and semantics of Christian signs, which are classified as 6 categories, based on the Bible. And then, this study selected seven Christian signs among such reclassified Christian symbols which have representative attributes. The selected Christian signs are the Cross, the Father God, the Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, church and love, and this study collected the theoretical background of signs, their semantics and their images through review of literatures. This study also analyzed Christian signs with a formative semiotics analysis sheet based on types of signs and formative semiotics as follows: (1) it analyzed Christian signs based on visual types of signs in the types of signs, and (2) it analyzed Christian signs based on the basic elements of signs, the basic signs, and the development of signs. The results of study can be summarized as follows: First, Christian signs were expressed in the order of abstract expression, object-related expression and linguistic expression, respectively, and sometimes abstract expression and linguistic expression are used together. Using abstract symbols much gives lots of meanings. Second, Christian signs expressed stability, truthfulness and balance using geometric figures and geometric lines, and help individuals to have positive thoughts. Third, there are representative signs by signs, and the modified Christian signs were created based on such representative signs. Therefore, it is possible to constantly develop Christian signs based on the representative signs. Fourth, designers could know the exact symbolism and semantics of signs through arrangement by list of signs, and apply them to their design. It is expected that this study helps designers who convey messages as visual elements to use Christian signs exactly, and has an influence on the correct expression of identities of Christian designs. In addition, it is recommended that subsequent study on visual symbolism and philosophical semantics of Christian signs will be conduct and become a conceptual background of Christian designs.

 

Symbolism and semantics of christianity sign in the context to formative semiotics