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Some symbols, such as road signs, are designed to convey very specific, unambiguous meanings, such as “No right turn” or “Halt”. Other symbols don’t necessarily have a particular meaning, but they can evoke memories in people and prompt them to tell stories. For example, a national flag can evoke particular memories and emotions, although someone unfamiliar with it will see just a meaningless arrangement of colours and shapes.
Some symbols are ambiguous, inviting an observer to make more than one meaning of them. The more ambiguous the symbol, the harder it is to say, "This is what it means" and the easier it is to ‘see’ your story in it.
Traditionally, Australian Aboriginal people had oral cultures in which stories, histories and cultural meanings were shared through (re-)telling them, not through (re-)writing them.
Consequently, Aborigines have often used symbols to convey their important cultural stories and messages across nations and generations. These symbols vary from region to region and from nation to nation. this panel features symbols that are generally understood within the local Wathaurong community.
Each symbol on this panel has a particular meaning for Wathaurong people (see below). However, taken together, the symbols tell no particular story. We invite you to look at the panel and find your own story or stories in it – either in a particular symbol or in the panel as a whole. The sacred emblem of the Wathaurong people - 'Bunjil' (Wedge-tailed Eagle) - soars overhead in this panel and in many of the others.
Do any of these symbols evoke a memory or a story from your life? We invite you to send a memory or story to us and tell us which symbol/s evoked it. We’ll post the best stories from time to time on this web site.
Meeting place
Campsite
Woman
Man
Person
Possum
Water flow
Waterholes
Wind
Gathering
Running waterhole
Gathering with children