The concept of allegory derives from the Latin allegoria and this, for its part, from a word of Greek origin. The notion allows mention to be made of that fiction in which an idea, phrase, expression or sentence has a different meaning from the one exposed. Likewise, those literary materials or artistic creations that have allegorical character are known as allegory.
Explained by Digopaul, an allegory can be understood, in this sense, as an artistic theme or a literary figure used to symbolize an abstract idea from resources that allow it to be represented, either by appealing to individuals, animals or objects. To cite an example: the image of a skull with two crossed bones constitutes an allegory of piracy. On the other hand, a blind woman with a scale represents justice.
It should be noted that the allegories are not limited to being solitary literary figures. Many times, they are part of a rhetorical procedure of greater magnitude, with a structure of metaphorical images that can give rise to complete works. Thus, the allegory makes possible the transmission of knowledge through reasoning by analogy.
In poetry, this resource has been widely used and in some cases covers the entire work. The use of various metaphorical images, connected in an organic and subtle way, can result in the representation of a complex idea or a real life experience, prompting reasoning through analogies.
In the realm of fine arts, an allegory is a representation of abstract thoughts from individual figures, groups of figures, or attributes. Bosco and Botticelli, for example, are two artists who have created allegories of great public recognition.
There are also allegorical sculptures, which symbolize and mainly personify abstract ideas, through the use of human figures and their posture, gestures and clothing to express social values and other concepts without the need for the word. This type of art can be found in works dating from the 16th century. Images such as fame, victory, hope and time, as well as Christian virtues, have been represented in this way.
On the other hand, allegorical cars are a fundamental element of carnivals and parades. Basically, these are vehicles whose designs represent the diverse ideas, customs, values of the event and its participants. Variable numbers of people travel over them, generally wearing costumes according to the theme, bringing to life historical, mythological characters, or reflecting countless figures and concepts.
The construction of these cars requires a lot of creativity and teamwork. Usually, in the case of events that are repeated every year, people start the design of the next parade as soon as the previous one is finished. There are twelve months of searching for ideas, colors, motifs, as well as materials and methods to achieve the necessary solidity; Certain tours are very extensive and it is important that the car is kept intact from start to finish. In addition, you must present one or more easily accessible entrances, as parades do not always remain on the vehicle all the way.
A broad allegory is one that understands life under the shapes of a chessboard. Black squares symbolize night, while white squares represent day. The people, meanwhile, are just pieces with limited movement. This allegory offers an insight into the hierarchical situations that exist in society.
Another, also known, compares the lives of human beings with rivers, trying to argue that, although they all have different courses and flows, they end up in the same place: the sea, which symbolizes death.