In psychology, symbolism pertains to using an idea, action, or object to stand for or represent something beyond its literal meaning. Freud and Jung focused on dreams and art and argued that such forms could reveal unconscious processes. Noting emotionally charged symbols enables therapists to address unresolved conflicts. Indirect “symbolic” expressions are easier to articulate, and therefore, are crucial for psychoanalysis, literature, or art therapy. For instance, dreaming about a locked door might symbolize some repressed feelings or some emotional or psychological block in waking life.
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