Symbol Theory

The marriage symbol demonstrates condensation because for the Anokótan marriage is the key to a successful tribe. Marriage represents lineage because members can only marry inside their tribe so for a tribe to flourish there has to be weddings. Because the livelihood of the tribes depends on new unions arranged marriages are common. For the Anokótan this brings social order and ensures there nations will thrive. Getting married is a celebration of your culture and religion. At the weddings both the bride and groom families come together and spend time with each other in a ceremonial bond.  Over a four day period the bride and groom must divide their time between their new families this signifies the addition of family. The four days represents the four elements and as the couple ends the fourth day they become official married. In the Anokótan culture this denotes a raise in social status because you can now truly contribute to your tribe.

Religion demonstrates unification of disparate significata because it ties together fire, water, air and earth and their animal symbols. The fire tribe is represented by the dragon, which signifies conflict. The air tribe is represented by the eagle, which signifies wisdom. The earth tribe is represented by the elephant, which signifies remembrance and peace. The water tribe is represented by the dolphin, which signifies change. These animals and the tribes they epitomize are religion of the Anokótan. There will always be conflict or change in the world but one must always remember the peaceful spirit of the gods and be wise enough to overcome or use temperance. Each element is tied to an animal; the animal is equivalent to their belief system, a symbol of their nation. The Anokótan understand that all of the animals and what they represent are their history and must be practiced and overcame to achieve religious enlightenment.

The family symbol demonstrates polarization of meaning for the Anokótan because family is the basis of every tribe. Family is unity, order, and ancestry. While family has many positive attributes for the Anokótan it also symbolizes division of the tribes, conflict and the cultural law of marriage separation. These are the ideological beliefs of family. Sensory elements are rage and anger for opposing tribes and a since of ancestral pride in ones own lineage.  The symbol is used to maintain social order and segregate the tribes; it negates all out war but promotes division. This division is what fuels pride and tribal loyalty; the family symbol evokes dignity and strength in a time of civil unrest. The belief is as long as you have your tribe you have your family.  For the Anokótan family is what glues together society and what keeps a tribe strong and successful. While the elements are at odds the tribes must stay unified.