Symbols may have value to those who can interpret them, even if we can not:
An American lady was at a dinner party with Mr. Li Lo, the eminent Chinese philosopher, when she said:
“May I ask why you attach so much importance to the dragon in your country? You know there is no such creature, don’t you? You have never seen one?”
“My dear madam,” graciously answered the great Chinaman, “why do you attach so much importance to the Goddess of Liberty on your coins? You know there is no such lady, don’t you? You have never seen her, have you?”
(3148)
Symbols Interpreting Realities—See [Realities, Invisible].
SYMBOLS, THE VALUE OF
In a private letter, written to a local paper by a resident of Cazenovia, N. Y., who is dwelling in Japan, the following was related:
I must tell a story connected with the visit of our American fleet. One day, just as some of the troops were marching to the railroad station, an enormous arch which stood just in front of the station took fire. Instantly one of the Japanese soldiers climbed to the top and brought down the United States flag that hung over in his direction. No greater act of courtesy could be performed, according to Japanese ideas than to save our flag from harm. But when without a moment’s delay, one of our blue-jackets ran up the other side of the arch, as tho it were the rigging of a ship, and snatched the Japanese flag just before it fell, tho his hands were scorched and he was nearly choked by smoke from the burning evergreen, the crowds nearly went wild with excitement and could not stop cheering.