The Timeless Language of Symbols: From Göbekli Tepe to Modern Emojis

From Göbekli Tepe to Modern Emojis

As an artist and storyteller, I’ve always been fascinated by the universal language of symbols—those simple images that transcend time and culture to communicate what words sometimes cannot. In exploring the ancient past and the digital present, I see a striking connection: the symbols carved into the T-shaped pillars at Göbekli Tepe and the emojis we use every day today.

At Göbekli Tepe, a site that predates written history, carved animals and abstract symbols speak of a world rich with spiritual meaning and cultural significance. These carvings likely served as portals into rituals, markers of identity, or expressions of a human relationship with nature and the divine. They were, in their own way, the visual language of an epoch—an ancient form of storytelling inscribed into stone.

Fast forward millennia, and we find ourselves immersed in a digital landscape where emojis are the modern equivalents of these ancient symbols. Whether it’s a smiling face, a wild animal, or a simple object, emojis are now the visual punctuation of our messages—adding nuance, emotion, and clarity that words alone often lack. They serve not just as decoration but as a form of shared understanding that bridges gaps across languages and cultures.

What fascinates me as an artist is that both Göbekli Tepe’s symbols and our emojis reflect the societies from which they arose. The ancient carvings reveal the beliefs, values, and daily experiences of Neolithic peoples—highlighting their connection to nature, spirituality, and identity. Similarly, today’s emojis mirror our diverse social fabric, technological world, and evolving cultural landscape. The rainbow flag, the heart, the thumbs-up—all of these symbols acknowledge identities and feelings that are central to modern life.

The persistent theme here is human connection. Whether through art etched in stone or digital icons on a screen, the desire to communicate and relate is fundamental. It’s a core instinct that has persisted across centuries—a testament to our shared need for expression and understanding.

In essence, the symbols of Göbekli Tepe and today’s emojis are two sides of the same coin. They illustrate how humans throughout history have used visual forms to express ideas, emotions, and identities—transcending language barriers and uniting us in a collective human experience. As an artist, I see this as a beautiful reminder: no matter the era, our need to create, communicate, and connect remains steadfast.

Victoria Derin ISIKMAN