The fact that symbols are arbitrary is something that I found to be very interesting. People often forget that language is simply made up of symbols that are not actually tied to the things that they are referring to. People of the same cultures associate symbols, such as words or signs, with certain physical objects or feelings, but to someone else that symbol could refer to something completely different. For example, older generations referred to the word "sick" as someone being ill, usually with a cough or a fever. Nowadays, younger generations use the word to refer to something as being awesome, even desirable.
Something that I always forget is that names of people are symbols as well. For example, my name is Alexandra, but my mom almost named me Natalie. I don't think that the name Natalie would've fit me, but why not? My name doesn't define who I am or what I do, it simply allows others to be able to distinguish me from a group of people. I think that's something that is often forgotten but is important to keep in mind.
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