The analysis of symbols deals with the meanings of words, the meanings of actions, and the
meanings of objects in a culture. In addition to involving meaning, symbols are also expressive,
and convey emotion. This is especially true with regard to symbols in art and in religion. As
noted in chapter 3, language itself is a system made up entirely of symbols. All symbols, like the
morphemes of language, operate as if they are two-sided coins. On one side are the physical characteristics,
and on the other side are the meanings, or what the symbols stand for. Symbols and
their meanings guide people’s actions and also motivate such actions. Further, people’s behavior
itself has symbolic meaning to those who observe it.