The culture of the Philippines is a combination of influences of the East and West. Filipino identity was born mainly from its pre-colonial roots that merged with the influence of the Spanish colonizers and Chinese traders.
Symbols are the basis of culture. Cultural symbolism is not a direct expression but instead an appeal to the subsconscious and intuition. In order to understand Filipino identity, one need to understand its symbols.
A woven bamboo is just a woven bamboo, until it is called Amakan and is used to cover the walls of traditional Filipino homes. Then it signifies home, family and fertility.
This dictionary of Filipino symbols explains the main symbols, ancient and modern: divinities, heroes, ancestors, mythical beings, objects, artifacts, animals, plants, fruits, places, natural phenomena, secret societies, traditional weapons and martial arts, musical instruments…
What does the eagle symbolize in Filipino culture ? What does the Bahaghari (rainbow) represent ? Why does the Balete Tree (Banyan) symbolizes enlightenment ? Who where the epic warriors who symbolize strength and pride ? What is the symbol of Aboriginal ancestry ? How do you represent abundance, artistry, beauty, blessing, family, freedom, health, hope…
A total of 94 articles fully illustrated by Filipino artist Inigo Jaldon.