noun an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance.
noun something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible.
— synonyms: symbolization, symbolisation, symbolic_representation
Examples
“$ is the symbol for dollars in the US and some other countries.”
“The lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.”
“The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols.”