What is symbolic culture?

Symbolic culture refers to the non-material aspects of culture that encompass the meanings, beliefs, values, and norms associated with symbols within a society. It is distinct from physical or material culture, which includes tangible objects and artifacts. In symbolic culture, symbols can be words, gestures, or objects that carry specific meanings understood by members of a society. For example, flags, religious icons, and even language itself are all part of symbolic culture as they represent and communicate ideas, beliefs, and shared experiences among individuals.

The other options focus on aspects that are not comprehensive definitions of symbolic culture. While the first choice mentions physical symbols, it does not capture the broader meanings that these symbols can convey. The third option discusses economic symbolisms, which is too narrow and specific to represent the entirety of symbolic culture. The fourth option refers to physical artifacts, which falls under material culture rather than the symbolic or non-material aspect of cultural expression. Thus, the focus on meanings associated with symbols accurately defines the concept of symbolic culture.