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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]]."