symbolic image
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symbolic image
An image or photo that has a strong symbolic meaning and stands for a complex event, situation, or feeling. It is often used in the media to illustrate a story.
Das Foto des Mannes, der sich allein den Panzern entgegenstellt, wurde zum Symbolbild für zivilen Widerstand.
The photo of the man standing alone in front of the tanks became a symbolic image of civil resistance.
The word is a simple compound made up of 'das Symbol' (symbol) and 'das Bild' (image/picture). So it literally describes an image that serves as a powerful symbol for something.
Das weinende Kind nach dem Angriff wurde weltweit zum Symbolbild.
The crying child after the attack became a symbolic image around the world.
This noun is very often used with the construction 'zum Symbolbild für etwas werden' (to become a symbolic image of/for something). The preposition 'für' takes the accusative here.
Dieses Foto wurde zum Symbolbild für die Hoffnung einer ganzen Generation.
This photo became a symbolic image of the hope of an entire generation.
The term is mainly used in the media and in journalism to describe the significance of a photo for a major event (e.g., a crisis, a war, a revolution).
Die Zeitung druckte das Symbolbild des Protests auf die Titelseite.
The newspaper printed the symbolic image of the protest on the front page.
symbol
Sinnbild can be a person, thing, or sign that stands for an abstract idea. Symbolbild, by contrast, specifically refers to a photo or image used in the media to represent a situation or feeling. Sinnbild is appropriate for a general symbolic representation, while Symbolbild is more suitable for an illustrative press photo.
Die Zeitung zeigte ein Symbolbild von einer belebten Innenstadt.
The newspaper showed a symbolic image of a busy city center.
Die Taube gilt als Sinnbild für den Frieden.
The dove is considered a symbol of peace.
