CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES IN THE STUDY OF RELIGIOUS-MYSTICAL SYMBOLS

The article presents the description of the lexical and terminological meanings of the words “symbol”, “character”, “sign” and “set of symbols” as well as various definitions of the “symbol” and “set of symbols” given by foreign scholars and experts in this field and results of the research which reveal the essence of their content. In addition to the analysis of theories on the topic “symbols” and “signs”, the article also classifies their types. In particular, there are classifications such as language symbols, activity-ritual symbols, nature symbols, symbols in art. The article also discusses the functions of the symbols. In particular, the symbols encourage the realization of the thought expressed in the human imagination. For example, when a Christian hangs a sign of the cross around his neck, with this sign, he remembers the torment that Jesus Christ suffered. This is one of the main functions of the symbol. However, the article also reveals the differences between the symbol and the sign. Attention is also paid to the features of the symbols and the meanings they represent.