Symbol Theory

The Balena's symbols are rich with meaning. Each symbol is not merely a representation of a single idea, but instead they are layered with deep, all encompassing ideas that reflect not only who they are and where they came from, but how they view the world.

The Balena symbol for religion, Baleonology.

The Balena's symbol for religion, Baleonology, displays high amounts of condensation. The most obvious idea represented by this symbol is the symbiotic relationship that the Balena have with the Blue Whale. It illustrates that the existence of the Balena depend on the Blue Whale and that the Blue Whale depends on them in return. This symbol also represents the circular way of life. The clockwise direction illustrates the Balena's passage through time and understanding that everything comes back around to its beginning. The symbol for Baleonology represents the idea that everything comes with equal consequence. They take from the Blue Whale and then in turn have to give back themselves to the Blue Whale in return. Lastly, the symbol taken in as whole represents Baleonology. They depict the Blue Whale in blue, which they associate with the sacred and man in black, representing the profane. Though this is a clear distinction between the sacred and the profane it helps one understand the relationship and how the process of eating the Blue Whale and in turn sacrificing themselves back to the Blue Whale show how the profane can interact with the sacred and how the sacred takes in the profane.

The Balena symbol for social structure.

The Balena's symbol for social structure is also overflowing with meaning. Here though, it will be viewed in terms of its unification of disparate significata. The symbol itself is powerful, but in order to understand why it is so powerful to the Balena it must be viewed in terms of all the similar ideas that it represents. Firstly, it depicts the Balena's hierarchy system. The Balena is lead by its current elder, male or female, who is depicted in blue representing their closeness with the Blue Whale. Next, it represents the path in life from being a child to becoming an elder. The path of life is Balena society represents the goal that each child has of one day becoming the elder and giving themselves back to the Blue Whale from which they have lived off of. Lastly, the symbol represents the circular way of life in Balena society marking the way in which the elder, who is at the top of the Balena social structure, returns back to the younger members of its society. The harpoon in this symbol is circularly encompassing both the child, representing the youngest and lowest members of their society, and the elder. Its movement is clockwise starting with the child when they acquire the harpoon and ending with the elder, which then returns back to the next youngest member. All of these meanings are brought together in unison which represents the Balena social structure.

The Balena symbol for kinship and family.

The Balena's symbol for kinship and family is an interesting symbol that represent the ideology of kinship and family, but it also incites a great emotional response in the Balena. The polarization of meaning found in this symbol is evident to the Balena but must be highlighted for outsiders in order to fully comprehend its power. On the ideological pole of meaning it represents the sense of community and equality in Balena society. The symbol is depicted as different members of society from different blood lines embracing each other, bringing them together in an equal relationship showing that they are stronger together than apart. On the sensory pole of meaning, to the Balena it incites a great emotional response of belonging and acceptance. When viewing this symbol, it helps the Balena remember that they belong to this society and that they are both accepted and depended on by others. This is quite powerful to the Balena and forces them to be there for other Balena people.