100 Symbolism Prompts That Add Depth to Your Screenplay

Injecting symbolism into novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, movies, and television shows is a powerful way to add another layer of meaning and depth. For writers and filmmakers, it is the ultimate form of creative expression beyond the great story, characters, and plot, allowing you to reach people more viscerally.

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How to Add Symbolic Meaning Into Your Screenplay

While you can read all about symbolism, its purposes, and its definitions, it can still be difficult to fully grasp how you can embed it within the context of your writing, your characters, and your stories.

With that in mind, we have done the work for you to create a master list of symbolic prompts to get your creative juices flowing. We’ve added a little game if you’re up for it, too. 

Within these prompts, we’ve listed examples of symbolism used in literature, movies, and television. Can you spot what has already been done in some of your favorite books, movies, and TV shows? 

Feel free to play or just read through them for inspiration. Either way, let’s get started!

Read More: What Is Symbolism and How Do You Do It in Your Writing?

‘Forrest Gump’

100 Symbolism Prompts for Stories

1. A broken clock symbolizes a stalled relationship and missed opportunities.
2. The distant sound of thunder hints at an upcoming storm of conflict.
3. A crow perched ominously on a windowsill foreshadows impending misfortune.
4. A wilting flower represents the fading beauty of a once-thriving town.
5. A rainbow after a storm represents the promise of better times ahead.
6. Fragmented Polaroid pictures symbolize a protagonist’s struggle with memory loss and the quest for truth.
7. A Native American dream catcher is a symbol of protection and spiritual guidance.
8. A rose symbolizes the complex layers of beauty, decay, and hidden turmoil within the character’s lives.
9. A locked door symbolizes hidden secrets and unresolved mysteries.
10. A flickering streetlamp suggests a disturbance in the order of things.
11. A solitary lighthouse standing for guidance and hope in times of darkness.
12. A red balloon signifies the innocence lost in a traumatic event.
13. A group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island is an allegory for the descent into savagery and the loss of civilization.
14. A winding staircase represents the journey of self-discovery.
15. A distant siren wailing in the night foreshadows imminent danger.
16. A sudden drop in temperature foreshadows a chilling event.
17. A shattered mirror symbolizes fractured identities and internal conflict.
18. A compass pointing in different directions for characters torn between choices.
19. A green light across a bay symbolizes unattainable dreams.
20. A butterfly emerging from a cocoon is a metaphor for personal transformation.
21. A weathervane shifting with the wind symbolizes the unpredictability of fate.
22. A simulated reality where humans are enslaved, representing the illusion of control and the quest for true knowledge.
23. A character seeing their reflection distorted in water foreshadowing self-deception.
24. A sudden gust of wind foreshadows a change in circumstances.
25. A dystopian society of a totalitarian regime is an allegory for the dangers of unchecked government power.
26. A character encountering a black cat crossing their path as a symbol of bad luck.
27. An anchor portraying stability and groundedness during the chaos.
28. A labyrinth represents the complexity of the human mind.
29. An all-powerful ring is an allegory for the corrupting influence of power.
30. The appearance and disappearance of ducks in a pool symbolize the fleeting nature of stability and family.
31. A pair of intertwined hands symbolizes unity and partnership.
32. A floating feather represents destiny, chance, and the intersections of life.
33. A scar on a character’s face represents past wounds and resilience.
34. A chessboard illustrates strategic moves and power dynamics.
35. A caged bird represents the desire for freedom and liberation.
36. The haunting melody of a lone violin conveys a sense of melancholy and loss.
37. A burning candle is a metaphor for the passage of time and mortality.
38. A family ring symbolizes loyalty, power, and the weight of familial responsibility.
39. A set of scales portraying the quest for balance and justice.
40. A mysterious monolith serving as a symbol of evolution, knowledge, and outside influence.
41. Recurring numbers hold mystical significance, representing fate, destiny, and the interconnections of characters.
42. A mask symbolizes hidden identities and deception.
43. A sudden ripple on a calm pond foreshadows disturbances in a character’s life.
44. A character has a recurring dream of falling, indicating an upcoming descent.
45. A red dress worn by a girl amidst an otherwise black-and-white world serves as a poignant symbol of innocence amid the brutality of the Holocaust.
46. A character experiencing a bout of unexplained shivers foretells an unsettling event.
47. A golden key unlocks the door to newfound opportunities.
48. A shadow looms in the background, representing the protagonist’s inner demons.
49. A dove carrying an olive branch is a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
50. A rainbow after a storm indicates hope and renewal.
51. A spider weaving a web symbolizes manipulation and entanglement.
52. A milkshake symbolizes greed, power, and ruthless ambition.
53. A phoenix rising from the ashes is a symbol of rebirth and resilience.
54. The gentle sound of wind chimes symbolizes a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
55. A deserted playground portrays the loss of childhood innocence.
56. The glowing contents of a mysterious suitcase symbolize the allure of the unknown and the pursuit of wealth.
57. A moth drawn to a flame is a representation of destructive attraction.
58. A broken chain symbolizes freedom from oppression.
59. A sudden, eerie silence creates suspense and anticipation.
60. A white picket fence is a symbol of the American Dream.
61. A gold watch passed down through generations symbolizes legacy, memories, and the passage of time.
62. A ticking clock creates suspense and urgency in the storyline.
63. A puzzle piece missing from a complete picture symbolizes a lost connection.
64. A spiderweb illustrates the intersections of characters and events.
65. A sunflower turning towards the sun symbolizes optimism and growth.
66. The repetitive ticking of a clock represents the passage of time and urgency.
67. A snake shedding its skin represents transformation and renewal.
68. Distorted reflections in mirrors symbolize the protagonist’s internal struggle with identity and sanity.
69. A piano with missing keys symbolizes the incomplete melody of a character’s life.
70. A broken compass symbolizes characters being lost and directionless.
71. Awkward office space awards symbolize the humorous dynamics within that environment.
72. A clock with no hands indicates the timeless nature of a fantastical world.
73. A chess piece left on a deserted board symbolizes the aftermath of a battle.
74. A black cat crosses a character’s path, symbolizing the impending misfortune.
75. A Rubik’s Cube represents the challenges of life, problem-solving, and the pursuit of happiness.
76. A spider crawling on a character’s shoulder is a harbinger of fate.
77. A solitary tree standing amidst a vast field symbolizes resilience and endurance in the face of adversity.
78. A rose with thorns represents the duality of love and pain.
79. A clock ticking backward suggests a journey into the past.
80. A tree with twisted roots symbolizes a family’s dark history.
81. A bird with broken wings embodies the loss of freedom and flight.
82. A rainstorm is a metaphor for emotional turmoil and cleansing.
83. An old wooden snow sled symbolizes lost innocence and unfulfilled longing.
84. A compass spinning uncontrollably in the presence of magic.
85. A conch shell represents civilization, order, and the loss of societal norms in the face of chaos.
86. A blooming wildflower in a concrete jungle represents beauty and hope in unexpected places.
87. A pocket watch freezes at a specific moment in time.
88. A mysterious hatch on a deserted island symbolizes the character’s need for structure and purpose.
89. A broken teacup represents the shattering of a delicate relationship.
90. A lone wolf howling at the moon as a representation of solitude.
91. A meandering river reflects the journey of life, with its twists and turns.
92. Escaping the belly of a whale serves as a symbol of overcoming fear and the unexpected allies found on life’s journey.
93. A raging wildfire consuming a forest represents destructive forces and the need for balance.
94. A golden apple symbolizes temptation and the consequences of desire.
95. A sunrise over a mountain peak symbolizes new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness.
96. A Golden Snitch symbolizes victory, agility, and the pursuit of goals.
97. A snuffed-out candle symbolizes the end of a character’s life.
98. A broken sword represents a fallen hero.
99. A broken hourglass symbolizes the inevitability of time running out.
100. A small boat becomes a symbol of the vulnerability of humans against the primal force of the great white shark.

‘Pulp Fiction’

Use these examples in your stories, or use them as creative writing prompts to help you conjure the variations that fit best in your writing.

Read More: 101 Creative Character Arc Prompts

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Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76

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