Symbolism and Metaphor with ED Behaviours

I’ve been mulling on the subject of metaphor but writing this makes me think about a book on symbolism given to me by a friend many years ago. 

I still have it on my bookshelf, well, I think I do, I’m not home at the moment so I can’t nip upstairs and check but the more I think about it… 

Did I pass the book on in a fit of decluttering, like a literary purge?

(Passing books on always feels sacrilegious, whatever the cause, but the shelves are only so long and I can be brutal) 

I can’t even recall the title but I do remember reading the sentence, “we live in a symbolic universe” which blew my mind and expanded my world forever. 

Those two words joined together in a symbolic universe sent a jolt of excitement through me (metaphor) and still does. I didn’t fully understand the meaning but it resonated and spoke of freedom and something vast and esoteric. 

As we know metaphors and symbolism are similar but metaphors tend toward the literal whereas symbolism infers something greater and more magical.

To say someone is big hearted (metaphor) infers their generosity (symbolism).

Which leads me on to the metaphorical and symbolic meanings for Eating Disorder behaviours.

I’ll be writing more on this later in the year and I find it fascinating and challenging to arrange my thoughts coherently but here are a few.

FOOD RESTRICTION:

Metaphor: A long drought, a war raged, hidden in sight.

Symbolism: Holding on/containment, imprisonment and control.

PURGING:

Metaphor: Feast or famine, rid the old for the new, cleaning up.

Symbolism: Redemption, transformation, activism (unconscious political response to Consumerism).

BINGEING:

Metaphor: Live it large, fill the coffers, splash the cash.

Symbolism: Freedom, friendship, punishment.

What does the food symbolise? Love, pain, fear? And so on.

What are your food and ED symbols and metaphors? Play around, have some fun.

Where else do these metaphors and symbols feature in your life? 

Write in and let us know.