How to cue in our readers that we are using an uncommon symbolism?
We all know some common symbolism: For instance, red stands for anger, blood, and violence. The cross stands for martyrdom and sacrifice. Common symbols are easy to notice, but what if you decided to use uncommon symbolism, how do you cue in your readers that you are using a symbolism for a meaningful reason? Is there a way to do this subtly? Is there a way to do this at all? What do you think?
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One way to do it subtly might be to show the character's reactions to the symbols. For example:
John was about to enter the room when he noticed the tulip painted to the side of the door. He hesitated. Not that he was superstitious, rationally he certainly knew that this was just the image of a nice flower. But that couldn't convince his emotions. After all, more than enough bad things had happened to him this day already.
Anyway, his rational mind won, and he entered the room, although not without looking extra carefully at every corner where someone could hide, despite his analytical mind telling him that there should be no danger at all. And indeed, he reached the other end of the room without any incident.
He relieved, although he hated himself for it. It was just as stupid to consider himself safer now as it had been stupid to worry because of such a stupid symbol, and he had lost valuable time. He swore to himself to ignore those symbols from now on, and firmly stepped through the next door.
And that was when the shot hit him.
Note that nowhere I told what the symbol means. Yet I'm sure you have at least a rough idea about its meaning by now.
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