a symbol of itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a symbol of itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that represents or embodies its own essence or identity. Example: "The flag is not just a piece of fabric; it is a symbol of itself, representing the values and history of our nation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Barcelona has adopted, as a symbol of itself, a statue of Columbus pointing out to sea.

The New York Times - Travel

No, the point of each Labyrinth is that it is a symbol of itself, or, rather, a symbol of symbols.

Independent

Even less than ordinarily a place for daily living, the city is transformed into a symbol of itself.

The New York Times

Mr. Slavin is not only a clever, and possibly sly, persuader with a gift for color and lighting, but also a talented stage manager who can position any group as a lucid explanation of what it does, or as a symbol of itself, as a comic opera, or as a bundle of unexpected redundancies.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was a symbol of New York itself really".

The New York Times

One dancer, Gulcan Eran, 16, seemed a symbol of Turkey itself.

The New York Times

For the author, the wolf is akin to the soul of the Mongolian grasslands, a worthy rival to man as well as a symbol of heaven itself.

The New York Times - Books

It is also a symbol of Japan itself and an embodiment of qualities often used to define Japanese-ness in art: formal simplicity and emotional serenity.

The New York Times - Arts

He spoke in parables that left non-Haitians scratching their heads but transported his faithful into laughter and hope, and made himself a symbol of democracy itself.

The New York Times

She had become nothing less than a symbol of Time itself, a reminder of the good intentions of the past and a warning about what might happen once she was gone and, with her, the dream of a united Europe.

The Guardian - Books

You could go further, and see Mag Folan as a symbol of Ireland itself, a pre-tiger economy figure of ­repression, denying the next generation its sexual freedom, forcing on it a choice to flee or stagnate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a symbol of itself" when you want to emphasize that something perfectly represents its own essence or fundamental nature. It's most effective when describing abstract concepts or entities that embody their core qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "a symbol of itself" in situations where a more direct and literal description would suffice. It can sound unnecessarily complex if the subject is already clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a symbol of itself" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as being representative of its own core essence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples showcase how it's used to describe entities embodying their own identity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a symbol of itself" is a phrase used to convey that something represents its own core essence or identity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively infrequent, appearing mostly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. It serves to emphasize self-representation and embodies a reasoned tone. When using this phrase, ensure that you are highlighting the inherent qualities of the subject, rather than simply describing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an emblem of its own identity

Changes the term 'symbol' to 'emblem' and rephrases 'itself' as 'its own identity' for emphasis.

a representation of its own essence

Replaces 'symbol' with 'representation' and uses 'essence' to highlight the fundamental nature of what's being symbolized.

an embodiment of its inherent traits

Substitutes 'symbol' with 'embodiment' and 'itself' with 'its inherent traits' to stress intrinsic characteristics.

a mirror reflecting its true nature

Uses a metaphorical 'mirror' to convey reflection of 'true nature' instead of direct symbolic representation.

a self-defining representation

Combines the concepts of 'self' and 'defining' to indicate that the representation determines its own meaning.

its own self-portrait

Presents a direct analogy to a 'self-portrait', where the subject is depicting itself.

the epitome of its own being

Uses 'epitome' to signify a perfect example and emphasizes 'its own being' for self-reference.

a living manifestation of its core

Introduces the idea of a 'living manifestation', highlighting the dynamic and essential aspects.

the personification of its identity

Employs 'personification' to suggest a human-like representation of 'its identity'.

an icon reflecting its intrinsic value

Focuses on 'iconic' representation and stresses 'intrinsic value' as the quality being reflected.

FAQs

How can "a symbol of itself" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a symbol of itself" to emphasize that something embodies its own core essence or identity. For example, "The flag is not just a piece of fabric; it is "a symbol of itself", representing the values and history of our nation."

What phrases are similar to "a symbol of itself"?

Similar phrases include "an emblem of its own identity", "a representation of its own essence", or "an embodiment of its inherent traits".

In what contexts is "a symbol of itself" appropriate?

"A symbol of itself" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize that something perfectly encapsulates its own fundamental qualities or represents its core identity. This is often used in discussions of abstract concepts, national identity, or philosophical ideas.

What is the nuance of meaning conveyed by "a symbol of itself"?

The phrase "a symbol of itself" implies that the subject not only represents something else, but that it also perfectly embodies its own inherent qualities. It suggests a self-referential and complete representation of the subject's essence.