Interpretation of the Image in Terms of Semiotics - Essay Example

Semiotics Name Institution Date Semiotics Introduction Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols together with their use and interpretation. The relationship between signs and the symbols they refer to is an essential characteristic of semiotics. The relations between signs in formal structures are useful during the process of establishing a meaning in the images. Sign and sign system is considered the major object of study when it comes to semiotics (Aston & Savona, 2013). The concepts of semiotics can be used for the purposes of establishing communication. This is through an understanding of the images and objects under analysis. The pictorial semiotics is one of the popular branches of semiotics. This usually involves the analysis of pictures in order to obtain its meaning. The concepts of semiotics are related to philosophy and some theological concepts. Different models can be applied when dealing with the concepts of pictorial semiotics. Cognitive psychology as well as structuralism can be applied when dealing with semiotics. The cultural codes are related to the concepts of semiotics and it is at times used when dealing with the global issues. The paper thus discusses the concepts of semiotics in relation to an image through the examination of connotations and denotations. Discussion Mise-en-scene The concepts of mise-en-scene are usually used for the purposes of describing the scene in an image (Seel & Winn, 2013). The image has only one character that seems to be in the late youthful stage. The character is male and appears to be white although he has some red paintings along both hands and from the face to the stomach. The red painting symbolizes the image of a cross. The character has stretched both hand with the mouth wide open which is an indication that he is shouting. The fully stretched position of the character is an indication that he holds power. This is considering that the character appears to be physically strong. The use of a male figure in the image is an indication that he is powerful. In terms of lighting, the image appears to be pale as the red image is the only bright image that has been used. The cultural concepts of power is usually displayed through masculinity and hence the indication that the image holds power. The element of space has not been explored adequately in the image although it has been used to achieve perfection in the image. The use of space for the purposes of communication is an aspect of an image it determines how clear and proportionate the image is. In terms of the composition of the image, there is equal distribution of light and color which plays an essential role in ensuring that the image is symmetrical. The posture seems to indicate victory on the part of the character. The character is not wearing any clothes although the image is only up to the waist. This further indicates that the character is confident of a win or is ready for war. In most cases, people usually remove their shirts when they are in a celebratory mode or when they have made some achievements in a physical task. The level of brightness in the image is not evenly distributed. Most parts of the image are not bright. However, the only part that appears to be bright is where the red color has been used. Some elements of modality are evident in the image through the use of different aspects which includes the brightness, saturation, color differentiation, depth and illumination. The composition of the image plays an essential role in making it real-ideal. Sincerely has been expressed in the image which gives it a naturalistic representation. This is indication that the image favors the concepts that are used in the western cultures. In the western cultures, naturalistic representation is usually favored (Hakim, 2013). The meaning of the image can therefore be highlighted through the concepts of the color and the visual aspects of the image. Signs In the image, only non-verbal signs exist and this plays an important role in communicating the aspects of the image. The non-verbal signs are usually complicated as it may have different meanings depending on the interpretation. The image is an iconic sign as it is a picture of a man. However, the image lacks an indexical sign which can be used to derive a direct relationship between the image and a different aspect. However, image has a sign of a cross which has been painted in red which is symbolic. A signifier is usually any material that signifies and this may be in form of an image (Cobley, 2011). In the image, the signifier is the cross which is present on the image of the male figure. Signified is the concept that the signifier refers to. In most cases, the presence of a cross signifies religion. A cross is a religious symbol for the Christians and it is used in various aspects. The use of the red colour is symbolic when it is used in for the purposes of drawing a cross. The colour red is usually associated with blood. This makes it associated with war, danger or power. The use of the male figure that is masculine indicates that he is powerful. Associating the red colour may indicate that the male is ready for war. On the other hand, anger is visible in the male image which is further emphasized in the red colour. The red colour is used for the purposes of indicating courage. This is an indication that the male figure in the picture is not only angry, violent or ready for war but also courageous. Denotation usually indicates the most basic meaning of a sign (Deely, 2011). In this case the cross in the image is a Christian symbol while the red colour is an indication of blood which symbolizes danger, anger or violence. The denotative aspect of the image therefore indicates that the man in the image is angry and ready for war and at the same time is a Christian due to the presence of the cross. The connotation is the secondary meaning of a sign. The connotation in the image indicates that the man is a warrior and ready to fight. This is because of the use of red colour and the cross which has been created through the use of the red colour. The deeper meaning of the image can therefore be obtained through the connotative aspects. This is further supported by the masculine nature of the man, facial expression and the stretching of the hand. The facial expression indicates that the man is angry as he appears to be shouting. The anger is has been confirmed through the use of the red colour with the symbol of the cross. The combination of connotation and denotation is useful in terms of determining the meaning of visual semiotics. The semiotic terminologies are useful during the process of making descriptions. Myth/ideology The image can be used for the purposes of representing different world views due to the presence of the cross and the red colour. In the ancient times, the cross was regarded as a torturous symbol among the among the Roman people. The cross was used for the purposes of crucifixion of people who had committed various crimes (Gedicks, 2013). On the other hand, the red colour represents blood. This can therefore be interpreted that the man in the image is about to undergo torture from the ancient Roman perspective. The cross is used by many Christian faithful in memory of the crucifixion of Jesus. In the 15th and 16th century, some of the divisions within the Roman Catholic Church were involved in war with other groups. This can therefore be used to indicate that the man was one of the fighters defending the Roman Catholic. The red colour symbolizes blood in most of the cultures across the world and this can also be used to symbolize the man is undergoing torture when it is combined with his facial expression. The myth regarding symbols and colors is usually different from one group to another and hence the presence of diverse meanings. According to the Christians Jesus died on the cross and he shed a lot of blood. This can be compared to the image as the blood on the image of the cross is an indication that blood is being shed. The Christians can therefore interpret the image as that of a martyr. The cross is highly valued among the Christians in the world. The presence of the cross on the image of the man is therefore an indication that the man is associated with Christianity. The red colour represents blood (Minh-Ha, 2014). However, it can also be used for the purposes of representing danger. Across the world, the red color is used for the purposes of representing danger. It is for this reason that it is usually used to on the road signs. Many national flags in the world have the red colour which is an indication of the blood shed when fighting for freedom which is an indication that the red colour means war. The image can therefore be used to indicate that the man is undergoing some form of danger. The concepts of using the red colour to indicate danger is common among most of the societies in the world. According to the world view, the man is in some form of danger. It can also be interpreted that the man is dangerous considering his posture and masculine nature. However anger is clearly visible in the face of the man and according to the world views in relation to the red colour, the man is angry. The world views can therefore be useful in terms of creating an understanding with regards to an image. However, confusions may arise due to the diversity of the world views. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that the image of the man with a cross like symbol in red colour has a certain meaning. The use of colour in the image is essential in terms of determining the meaning of the image. It is also evident from the concepts of Mise-en-scene plays a vital role in terms of describing the physical attributes of the image. The interpretation of the image has been made possible through the use of the semiotic terminologies. It is evident that the denotative and connotative aspects play an essential role in terms of interpreting the image. The interpretations indicate that man is associated with Christianity and may be ready for war or is undergoing some form of danger. The world views can be presented in the image through the aspects that are in place. It is also evident that the world views vary due to different meaning in terms of the cross and the red colour. However, elements of Christianity and danger are present in the world view. 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