Unveiling The Enigmatic Symbols In Taylor Swift's Folklore: A Literary Exploration

What are the hidden meanings behind Taylor Swift's folklore album?

Folklore symbols are a key part of Taylor Swift's eighth studio album, folklore. The album is full of references to folklore, mythology, and nature. These symbols help to create a sense of mystery and magic in the album's songs.

One of the most important folklore symbols in the album is the willow tree. The willow tree is often associated with sadness and loss, but it can also be a symbol of hope and renewal. In the song "willow," Swift sings about a love that is like a willow tree. The tree is strong and resilient, even though it has been through difficult times. This suggests that the love Swift is singing about is also strong and resilient.

Another important folklore symbol in the album is the moon. The moon is often associated with mystery and magic. In the song "the last great american dynasty," Swift sings about a woman who is said to be a witch. The woman is described as being "like the moon," suggesting that she is mysterious and magical.

The use of folklore symbols in folklore helps to create a sense of depth and richness in the album. These symbols allow Swift to explore complex themes such as love, loss, and hope in a new and creative way.

folklore symbols taylor swift

Taylor Swift's eighth studio album, folklore, is a rich tapestry of symbols and imagery. These symbols draw on folklore, mythology, and nature to create a sense of mystery and magic in the album's songs.

• Nature: The album is full of references to nature, including trees, flowers, and animals. These symbols represent the natural world's beauty and power.
• Mythology: Swift also draws on mythology in her songs, referencing figures such as Zeus and Orpheus. These symbols add a sense of timelessness and grandeur to the album.
• Fairytales: The album also contains references to fairytales, such as "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty." These symbols evoke a sense of wonder and magic.
• Love: Love is a central theme in folklore, and Swift explores this theme through a variety of symbols, such as the willow tree and the moon.
• Loss: Swift also explores the theme of loss in folklore, using symbols such as the empty chair and the fading photograph.
• Hope: Despite the album's themes of love and loss, there is also a sense of hope in folklore. This hope is represented by symbols such as the rising sun and the new moon.

These are just a few of the many symbols that Taylor Swift uses in folklore. These symbols help to create a rich and complex album that explores themes of love, loss, hope, and the natural world.

Nature

Nature is a central theme in Taylor Swift's album folklore. The album is full of references to nature, including trees, flowers, and animals. These symbols represent the natural world's beauty and power.

For example, in the song "the last great american dynasty," Swift sings about a woman who lives in a mansion in the woods. The woman is described as being "like a willow tree," suggesting that she is strong and resilient. The willow tree is also a symbol of hope and renewal, suggesting that the woman is able to overcome the challenges she faces.

In another song on the album, "seven," Swift sings about a childhood friend. She describes her friend as being "like a wildflower," suggesting that she is free-spirited and beautiful. The wildflower is also a symbol of hope and new beginnings, suggesting that Swift's friend has a bright future ahead of her.

The use of nature symbols in folklore helps to create a sense of connection between the album and the natural world. These symbols also add a sense of depth and richness to the album's songs, allowing Swift to explore complex themes such as love, loss, and hope in a new and creative way.

Taylor Swift's use of mythology in her album folklore is a key part of what makes the album so unique and special. By referencing figures such as Zeus and Orpheus, Swift is able to add a sense of timelessness and grandeur to her songs.

For example, in the song "the last great american dynasty," Swift sings about a woman who is said to be a witch. The woman is described as being "like a siren," a mythological creature that is known for its beauty and its ability to lure sailors to their deaths. This comparison suggests that the woman is both beautiful and dangerous, and it adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the song.

In another song on the album, "epiphany," Swift sings about a soldier who is fighting in a war. She compares the soldier to Orpheus, a mythological figure who was able to charm the gods with his music. This comparison suggests that the soldier is a brave and noble figure, and it adds a sense of hope and inspiration to the song.

Swift's use of mythology in folklore is not limited to these two songs. She also references mythological figures in other songs on the album, such as "mirrorball" and "august." By doing so, Swift is able to create a rich and complex album that explores themes of love, loss, and hope in a new and creative way.

The use of mythology in folklore is a reminder that stories and myths are powerful tools that can be used to explore the human condition. By referencing mythological figures, Swift is able to tap into the collective unconscious and create songs that resonate with people on a deep level.

Fairytales

The use of fairytales in Taylor Swift's album folklore is a key part of what makes the album so unique and special. By referencing fairytales such as "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty," Swift is able to create a sense of wonder and magic in her songs.

For example, in the song "cardigan," Swift sings about a love that is like a fairytale. She compares her lover to a prince, and herself to a princess. This comparison suggests that Swift's love is something special and magical, and it adds a sense of whimsy and romance to the song.

In another song on the album, "august," Swift sings about a summer love that has come to an end. She compares her lover to a character in a fairytale, who is "gone like an early morning train." This comparison suggests that Swift's love was something that was beautiful but fleeting, and it adds a sense of sadness and loss to the song.

Swift's use of fairytales in folklore is not limited to these two songs. She also references fairytales in other songs on the album, such as "mirrorball" and "this is me trying." By doing so, Swift is able to create a rich and complex album that explores themes of love, loss, and hope in a new and creative way.

The use of fairytales in folklore is a reminder that stories and myths are powerful tools that can be used to explore the human condition. By referencing fairytales, Swift is able to tap into the collective unconscious and create songs that resonate with people on a deep level.

Love

In her album folklore, Taylor Swift explores the theme of love through a variety of symbols, including the willow tree and the moon. These symbols represent different aspects of love, and they help to create a rich and complex tapestry of emotions.

• The Willow Tree: The willow tree is a symbol of resilience and strength. In the song "willow," Swift sings about a love that is like a willow tree. The tree is able to withstand the storms of life, and it always comes back stronger. This suggests that the love Swift is singing about is also strong and resilient.
• The Moon: The moon is a symbol of mystery and magic. In the song "the last great american dynasty," Swift sings about a woman who is said to be a witch. The woman is described as being "like the moon," suggesting that she is mysterious and magical. This suggests that the love Swift is singing about is also mysterious and magical.

The use of these symbols in folklore helps to create a sense of depth and richness in the album. These symbols allow Swift to explore the complex theme of love in a new and creative way.

Loss

The theme of loss is a central part of Taylor Swift's album folklore. Swift explores this theme through a variety of symbols, including the empty chair and the fading photograph. These symbols represent the pain and sadness that comes with losing a loved one.

• The Empty Chair: The empty chair is a symbol of absence. In the song "epiphany," Swift sings about a soldier who is fighting in a war. The soldier's family is waiting for him to come home, but he never does. The empty chair represents the soldier's absence and the pain that his family feels.
• The Fading Photograph: The fading photograph is a symbol of memory. In the song "august," Swift sings about a summer love that has come to an end. The photograph represents the memories of the love that Swift and her lover shared. As the photograph fades, so do the memories of the love.

The use of these symbols in folklore helps to create a sense of depth and richness in the album. These symbols allow Swift to explore the complex theme of loss in a new and creative way.

Hope

In the album folklore, Taylor Swift explores the themes of love and loss, but she also offers a sense of hope. This hope is represented by symbols such as the rising sun and the new moon.

• Renewal and Rebirth: The rising sun is a symbol of new beginnings and hope. In the song "the last great american dynasty," Swift sings about a woman who is starting over after a difficult time in her life. The rising sun represents the woman's hope for a brighter future.
• Growth and Transformation: The new moon is a symbol of growth and transformation. In the song "mirrorball," Swift sings about a person who is trying to find their place in the world. The new moon represents the person's hope for growth and change.

The use of these symbols in folklore helps to create a sense of hope and optimism in the album. These symbols suggest that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future.

FAQs on "folklore symbols taylor swift"

This section provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the symbols used in Taylor Swift's album, folklore.

Question 1: What is the significance of the willow tree in folklore?

Answer: The willow tree is a symbol of resilience and strength. In the song "willow," Swift sings about a love that is like a willow tree. The tree is able to withstand the storms of life, and it always comes back stronger. This suggests that the love Swift is singing about is also strong and resilient.

Question 2: What does the moon symbolize in folklore?

Answer: The moon is a symbol of mystery and magic. In the song "the last great american dynasty," Swift sings about a woman who is said to be a witch. The woman is described as being "like the moon," suggesting that she is mysterious and magical. This suggests that the love Swift is singing about is also mysterious and magical.

Question 3: How does Swift use fairytales in folklore?

Answer: Swift references fairytales in folklore to create a sense of wonder and magic. For example, in the song "cardigan," Swift compares her lover to a prince, and herself to a princess. This comparison suggests that Swift's love is something special and magical.

Question 4: What is the symbolism of the empty chair in folklore?

Answer: The empty chair is a symbol of absence and loss. In the song "epiphany," Swift sings about a soldier who is fighting in a war. The soldier's family is waiting for him to come home, but he never does. The empty chair represents the soldier's absence and the pain that his family feels.

Question 5: How does Swift use the rising sun as a symbol in folklore?

Answer: The rising sun is a symbol of new beginnings and hope. In the song "the last great american dynasty," Swift sings about a woman who is starting over after a difficult time in her life. The rising sun represents the woman's hope for a brighter future.

Question 6: What is the significance of the new moon in folklore?

Answer: The new moon is a symbol of growth and transformation. In the song "mirrorball," Swift sings about a person who is trying to find their place in the world. The new moon represents the person's hope for growth and change.

Summary: The symbols used in Taylor Swift's album, folklore, are rich and meaningful. These symbols help to create a deep and complex album that explores themes of love, loss, and hope.

Transition to the next article section: To learn more about the making of folklore, read the full article here.

Conclusion

Taylor Swift's use of symbols in her album folklore is a key part of what makes the album so unique and special. These symbols are rich and meaningful, and they help to create a deep and complex album that explores themes of love, loss, and hope.

The symbols in folklore are drawn from a variety of sources, including nature, mythology, and fairytales. Swift uses these symbols to create a sense of wonder and magic in her songs. She also uses them to explore the complex emotions that come with love, loss, and hope.