Artists have used symbols for happiness in their works to state what the work is about and show what exactly it means. Some symbols are more common than others, while some are based on the artist’s perspective of how that symbol may look. The following are 40 Symbols of Happiness that artists have represented with their works.
1. A boat with a single figure aboard
When artists paint or illustrate a boat alone in the middle of an empty and vast sea, they most likely mean that the character on board is all alone and is trying to find their way back home.
2. The sun
The sun may represent happiness when it shines above all the dark clouds. The light of the sun and its bright, yellow color represents hope and optimism, which people grab on to achieve happiness.
3. A flower
A flower may represent happiness because of its beauty and attractiveness. It also brings a soothing effect since flowers are usually found in gardens.
4. A bird flying away
When artists draw or paint birds flying in the sky, they most likely represent joy and freedom when they do so. This can represent how people are free to soar high above through their imagination, reach the heavens, and achieve peace of mind.
5. Two happy children walking in the woods
When children are happy, they usually play in groups to make things even more fun. When several children are shown playing happily in a forest or other similar environments with a natural element, then the piece of art is most likely meant to represent happiness and several reasons why people should seek it out.
6. A smiling flower
A flower smiling may not seem possible, but it most likely represents joy when it is drawn or painted with a big smile on its face. When people are happy, they tend to smile more often than usual, and the bright sense of happiness that they get spills over into almost everything they do.
7. A child drinking milk
Drinking milk can be one of the keys or simple symbols for happiness. Dietitians and nutritionists usually recommend drinking milk because it has calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. These nutrients are already associated with happier moments in life, such as when people achieve their goals, get rewarded for good behavior, and meet new friends.
8. A young child with flowers
Children are usually associated with happiness because of their innocence and lack of worries, which is why when an artist depicts a young child holding or playing with flowers, and then it can represent happiness during childhood. It may also state the importance of taking time to make memories and enjoy simple pleasures because it can be a source of happiness later on in life.
9. A bird and a fish playing together
As stated earlier, when children are happy, they usually play with other people to make the moment even more fun for everyone involved. When artists draw or paint animals such as birds and fishes playing together, it may be a simple way to represent happiness during childhood.
10. A baby laughing
A baby laughing can also represent happiness because babies laugh so much and do not know how to hold it in, which is why when an artist depicts a baby smiling or laughing, it can symbolize happiness and joyous moments in life.
11. A couple holding hands
Happiness is usually associated with intimacy and love because of how happy couples are when around each other. When artists draw or paint a couple holding hands, it can represent joy and happiness in a relationship.
12. Flowers raining from the sky
When it rains, flowers usually start blooming to represent how the sky gives people happiness. When artists draw or paint flowers raining from the sky, it can symbolize hope and joy because of how much beauty they bring.
13. A woman with a halo
A halo around a person’s head can mean many things in art history. However, when an artist draws or paints a woman with a halo, it could mean happiness because of the light that the halo emits. People associate halos with angels and other deities in art history in religious stories.
14. A greek statue
Greek statues symbolize many things such as beauty, balance, perfection, among others. However, when a Greek statue is smiling, it can be a way for the artist to represent happiness and bliss.
15. A factory emitting smoke
A factory may not seem like a place where people have fun or feel happy at all times. However, when an artist draws or paints a factory emitting smoke with colors inside of it, then it can represent happiness through small pleasures such as eating a favorite food.
16. A black and white photo of two people having fun
People may not be happy all the time, but when they appreciate the little things in life, it adds joy and happiness to their lives. When artists draw or paint a black and white photo of two people having fun, it can represent happiness and joy.
17. A smiley face
Smiley faces are usually the symbol of happiness because they have smiles on them to mean being happy all of the time. However, when artists draw or paint a smiley face with large eyes, it can represent happiness and bliss.
18. Colored glasses
Colored glasses can represent happiness because of the color they evoke in people’s minds. When artists draw or paint a person wearing colored glasses, it may be a way for the artist to show happiness and joy in life.
19. A bright sunny day
Sunny days usually mean good weather and warmth from the sun. When artists draw or paint a bright sunny day, it can symbolize happiness and joy because of the fun times that people experience on them.
20. A person holding a musical note
People usually feel happy when they hear music, so when an artist draws or paints a person holding a musical note, it can represent happiness and bliss.
21. A rainbow
Rainbows are usually associated with happiness because they make the sky seem more colorful and vibrant. When artists draw or paint a rainbow, it may be a way to express happiness through their art pieces.
22. An open door
When someone opens a door, it usually means that they allow happiness and joy to come into their lives. When artists draw or paint an open door, it can be a way for the artist to show happiness and contentment through their art piece.
23. A smiling clock face
A clock face does not always have to show the time in an art piece because artists can use it as a symbol to show happiness. When an artist draws or paints a smiling clock face, it may be a way to express joy and bliss through their art piece.
24. A person’s reflection
A person’s reflection represents many things, such as identity, self-consciousness, and awareness. However, when an artist draws or paints a person’s reflection smiling, it can symbolize happiness and bliss because of the positive emotions it evokes for people.
25. A mountain range
Mountains are usually associated with strength and perseverance. However, when artists draw or paint a beautiful mountain range, it can represent happiness and joy through nature.
26. A rainbow breaking a gray cloud
When artists draw or paint a rainbow breaking a gray cloud, they may express their desire for happiness and contentment in life.
27. Hearts
Hearts are usually associated with strong emotions such as love and affection. However, when artists draw or paint a heart with a smiling face inside of it, it can be a way to show happiness and bliss.
28. A person lying on the grass
When an artist draws or paints a person lying down on the grass looking up at the sky, they may express their desire for happiness and contentment in life.
29. A person smiling
A person can show many different emotions, such as anger, sadness, embarrassment, or happiness. When artists draw or paint an artist smiling while looking at the viewer, it may be a way to symbolize happiness and joy through their art piece.
30. Children playing
Children often represent innocence and purity in society, so when artists draw or paint children playing together, it can be a way for the artist to express happiness and bliss.
31. A flower garden
Flowers symbolize growth and beauty in nature, and when artists draw or paint a person standing among a flower garden smiling, it may be a way for the artist to show their desire for happiness and contentment.
32. A person sleeping
When an artist draws or paints a person sleeping, they may express their desire to find happiness in life.
33. An empty bookshelf
An empty bookshelf can symbolize that there are no more opportunities to learn new things in life, which may allow the artist to express their desire for happiness.
34. An open book
When artists draw or paint an open book on a desk, it can symbolize that there is more opportunity to learn about new things in life, which may be a way for them to express their desire for happiness.
35. A person listening to music
Someone who is listening to music can be seen as being happy, which may be why artists draw or paint a person holding an instrument while looking down at the viewer smiling, and then it may be a way for them to express their desire for happiness and bliss in life.
36. A lake
A lake can represent wisdom and tranquility, which is why artists draw or paint a person standing near the edge of the water smiling looking down at the viewer; it may be a way for them to express their desire for happiness and contentment through their art piece.
37. A heart after an exclamation point
A heart after an exclamation point can symbolize that the person is happy and excited about something. This may be why artists draw or paint a heart after an exclamation point smiling, and then it can be a way for them to show their desire for happiness and bliss through their art piece.
38. A clock with hands moving up
A clock with the hands moving up can represent a person starting a new life and year, which is why when an artist draws or paints a smiling face on the clock, it may be a way for them to show their desire for optimism in life.
39. A lightbulb going off
A lightbulb going off can symbolize that a person is happy and excited about learning something new, which may be why artists draw or paint a lightbulb going off with a smiling face inside it, and then it can be a way for the artist to show their desire for happiness and contentment in life.
40. A waterfall
A waterfall represents peace and serenity in nature, which is why artists draw or paint a person standing near the waterfall smiling looking at the viewer; it may be a way to show their desire for happiness and bliss through their art piece.
Conclusion
Symbols of Happiness list displays many different symbols for happiness and contentment in life. Art pieces can be a way for artists to express their feelings through their art, which is why when an artist draws or paints one of the above-listed symbols, it may be a way for them to show their desire for happiness and contentment in their art piece. Art pieces can be a way for artists to express their emotions, which is why when an artist draws or paints one of the above-listed symbols, it may be a way for them to show their desire for happiness and bliss through their piece.
