Gold (Au)
Both the color and the object gold symbolize justice, prestige, and luxury. It also symbolizes victory, as gold is often used as a prize or to represent first place.
Gold is further associated with the wisdom of aging (note that "gold" contains the word "old"). The fiftieth wedding anniversary is golden. Our later years are also considered golden. The height of wisdom in civilizations is referred to as "the golden age."
However, gold can also be a symbol of greed.
Historic Symbolism[]
During history, gold was used as a symbol of prestige and power through the use of gold coins and golden armor by important people in the army. Largely, it was used to create jewelry or decorative objects, but the creation of armor or weapons was popular too.
Religious Symbolism[]
Gold has been associated with the extremities of utmost evil and great sanctity throughout history. In the Book of Exodus, the Golden Calf is a symbol of idolatry and rebellion against God. On the other hand, in the Book of Genesis, Abraham was said to be rich in gold and silver, and Moses was instructed to cover the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant with pure gold. One of the wise men gave gold as a gift to Jesus when he was born.
Gold was associated with Greek religion too, as evidenced by the presence of golden statue in temples.
Social Symbolism[]
In Communist propaganda, the golden pocket watch and its fastening golden chain were the characteristic accessories of the class enemy, the bourgeois and the industrial tycoons. Credit card companies associate their product with wealth by naming and coloring their top-of-the-range cards “gold”, although, in an attempt to out-do each other, platinum (and the even-more-elite black card) have now overtaken gold.