Meanings of Symbols

So I was thinking today, about symbols. I blame Dan Brown. Intermingled with his fiction writing, there is a great analysis of symbols and their meaning. So I started thinking about symbols and their meanings. They literally do not mean anything until humanity decides to add significance to them.
Is not a flag simply a piece of fabric until you assign meaning to it? If you take the meaning from it, is it not simply a piece of fabric once again?
Is not a series of lines, just a series of lines until you decide that it is representative of a group, organization, or event?
Is not a cross simply perpendicular lines until you ask a Christian about its meaning?

Is a Star of David simply two triangles overlapping until you ask a Jew?

Is a crescent moon with a star simply celestial representations until you ask a Muslim?

I do not mean to say that there is no significance to these things. I mean simply that it is not the symbol itself that is important. But the meaning behind it.

Thanksgiving

Coming out of the long weekend for Thanksgiving, I can't help but think about the very "American" holiday. I can remember being in elementary and middle school and learning about the Pilgrims and Indians. I remember the story of the great feast the two groups had and the peace between the two. I remember coloring in coloring pages and making turkeys out of hand shaped cut outs. I remember little pageants and plays that depicted the story.

As I advanced in my education, research showed me that for the most part, these events never happened. At least, not in the way that we are taught in the earlier levels of education. But what I found really astonishing, is that many of the adults that I know still believe the story.

Now, I agree that there are some benefits to the old story. It gives a fable to children, a type of mythology, from which they can learn basic ideas and values. It also gives children a basic overview of some of the early American History. And the concept of a day of thanksgiving is a good one. I do approve of that. However, I also think that real effort needs to be made to inform the public that those stories are just stories even though it is based on fact.

The thoughts of a young historian

I had the thought today when discussing a historical topic with a friend of mine, that I really should have a blog. Somewhere I can simply talk about my thoughts on historical topics. I am nearing the end of my undergraduate degree and working at getting into graduate school for history as well. I also want to teach college one day. So I am hoping that this blog will be interesting or thought provoking or informative to some people out there.
These are simply my thoughts on topics, please feel free to debate with me. I always welcome a challenge, however I do ask that you know what you are talking about and to debate with me instead of simply yelling at me that i am wrong.

Thanks, I hope you enjoy.