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'''Silence''' is a relative or total lack of [[sound]]. An environment with sound below 20 [[decibels]] is considered quiet or silent.

'''Silence''' is a relative or total lack of [[sound]]. An environment with sound below 20 [[decibels]] is considered quiet or silent.

==Gestures and symbols==

==Gestures and symbols==

One widely recognized [[symbols|symbolic]] gesture of silence consists of a forefinger laid vertically across the lips. Comic emphasis is achieved with a gesture of thumb and finger zippering the mouth shut. For the cultural misunderstanding that made Harpocrates an emblem of silence from Roman times.

One widely recognized [[symbols|symbolic]] gesture of silence consists of a forefinger laid vertically across the lips. Comic emphasis is achieved with a gesture of thumb and finger zippering the mouth shut. For the cultural misunderstanding that made Harpocrates an emblem of silence from Roman times.

The rose, sometimes depicted clasped by or on top of closed lips, is another well-recognized symbol of silence stemming from various [[Myths|mythologies]].

The rose, sometimes depicted clasped by or on top of closed lips, is another well-recognized [[symbols|symbol]] of silence stemming from various [[Myth|mythologies]].

In the Western [[culture]]s, it is sometimes difficult to interpret the message being sent by a person being silent (i.e. not speaking).  It can mean anger, hostility, disinterest, or any number of other emotions.  Because of this, people in Western cultures feel uneasy when one party is silent and will usually try their best to fill up the silence with small talk.

In the Western [[culture]]s, it is sometimes difficult to interpret the message being sent by a person being silent (i.e. not speaking).  It can mean anger, hostility, disinterest, or any number of other emotions.  Because of this, people in Western cultures feel uneasy when one party is silent and will usually try their best to fill up the silence with small talk.

The Western Apaches use silence during times of uncertainty or anger in the way most people in Western cultures would be vocal.  The goal is to observe and anticipate what the other party is going to do.

The Western Apaches use silence during times of uncertainty or anger in the way most people in Western cultures would be vocal.  The goal is to observe and anticipate what the other party is going to do.

In Joy Kogawa's [[novel]] ''Obasan'', silence is a [[symbol]] of victimization, a sign of the overbearing [[memory|memories]] which burden us. Its [[character]]s have been silenced by repression.

In Joy Kogawa's [[novel]] ''Obasan'', silence is a [[Symbols|symbol]] of victimization, a sign of the overbearing [[memory|memories]] which burden us. Its [[character]]s have been silenced by repression.

==In music==

==In music==

In music, the symbols instructing players to be silent are rests. More substantial silences, lasting several seconds, occasionally appear in musical works. There are a very few examples of completely silent musical works; the most famous example is John Cage's composition 4'33", which consists of four minutes and thirty-three seconds of apparent silence, although the composer's [[intention|intent]] was to draw in to the piece all the random indeterminate sounds of the [[audience]] and their environment. Cage had this to say about silence:

In music, the symbols instructing players to be silent are rests. More substantial silences, lasting several seconds, occasionally appear in musical works. There are a very few examples of completely silent musical works; the most famous example is John Cage's composition 4'33", which consists of four minutes and thirty-three seconds of apparent silence, although the composer's [[intention|intent]] was to draw in to the piece all the random indeterminate sounds of the audience and their environment. Cage had this to say about silence:

: "Until I die there will be sounds. And they will continue following my death. One need not fear about the future of [[music]]."

: "Until I die there will be sounds. And they will continue following my death. One need not fear about the future of [[music]]."

In labs, animals that have been subject to a total lack of noise have shown signs of [[behavior]]al changes and aggression.

In labs, animals that have been subject to a total lack of noise have shown signs of [[behavior]]al changes and aggression.

==Quotes==

==Quotes==

*"The very best refutation of their false accusations was the Master's calm and majestic '''''silence'''''."[http://mercy.urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=http://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper184.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper184.html&line=87#mfs]

*"The very best refutation of their false accusations was the Master's calm and majestic '''''silence'''''."[https://mercy.urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=https://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper184.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper184.html&line=87#mfs]

*Jesus taught his followers that, when they had made their prayers to the Father, they should remain for a time in '''''silent''''' receptivity to afford the [[Thought Adjuster|indwelling spirit]] the better opportunity to speak to the listening [[soul]]. The spirit of the Father speaks best to man when the [[human]] [[mind]] is in an attitude of true [[worship]]. We worship God by the aid of the Father's indwelling spirit and by the [[light|illumination]] of the human mind through the ministry of [[truth]]. Worship, taught Jesus, makes one increasingly like the [[being]] who is worshiped. Worship is a transforming [[experience]] whereby the [[finite]] gradually approaches and ultimately attains the [[presence]] of the [[Infinite]].

*Jesus taught his followers that, when they had made their prayers to the Father, they should remain for a time in '''''silent''''' receptivity to afford the [[Thought Adjuster|indwelling spirit]] the better opportunity to speak to the listening [[soul]]. The spirit of the Father speaks best to man when the [[human]] [[mind]] is in an attitude of true [[worship]]. We worship God by the aid of the Father's indwelling spirit and by the [[light|illumination]] of the human mind through the ministry of [[truth]]. Worship, taught Jesus, makes one increasingly like the [[being]] who is worshiped. Worship is a transforming [[experience]] whereby the [[finite]] gradually approaches and ultimately attains the [[presence]] of the [[Infinite]].

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.siteofsilence.eu Site of Silence]

*[https://www.siteofsilence.eu Site of Silence]

*[http://www.puresilence.org Pure Silence]

*[https://www.puresilence.org Pure Silence]