Symbolism in "El Moviemiento"

Due to the social basis of injustice, Chicanos developed the usage of symbolism throughout “el movimento” as a source of remembrance to their past struggles and motivations. Most of their struggles and motivations have been represented in literature with a connection to the symbolism established during Chicano movement. “The Chicano Literature is a literature that has emerged as a consequence of the fight for social and human rights, most of the symbols have been taken from the surrounding social environment.”12 The symbols provided "unity" among the Chicanos during the movement.

Such symbols include:

Aztlan

http://www.geocities.com/sergiozamorasin/Aztlan.htm

Aztlan "inspired a new awareness of self-concept and intent among Chicanos10."13 For Chicanos during the movement, it's legendary past as the ancient home of the Aztecs, represented empowerment and freedom from the "oppressive" United States they had always known. Aztlán was first derived in El Plan Espiritual de Aztlán, which reinforced the cultural nationalism of the movement.

The Black Eagle  

Black Eagle

http://www.zermeno.com/La%20Alianza%20de%20Hayward.html

The eagle represents the foundation of Tenochititlan by the Aztecs in 1325, where the people from Aztlan first saw the eagle sitting on a "nopal" with a serpent in its mouth. It is often used by to symbolize the economic growth of farm workers. The eagle relates with the concept and emotion that was felt during the Chicano Movement.

La Virgin de Guadalupe

The Virgen de Guadalupe

http://www.hotcong.com/calendar/largeimage.php?parm=119---virgen-de-guadalupe

The "Virgin de Guadalupe" symbolizes help and strength to create Mexican Nationalist and political independence. She is a religion influence to Chicanos religious lifestyle.14

The Huelga Thunderbird

The huelga thunderbird by Andy Zermeo, UFWOC

www.paradigmproductions.org/voices/voices.html

The huelga thunderbird symbolizes freedom from the social-economic movement upheld by the Chicanos in the 1970's. The huelga represented the struggles that Chicanos experienced prior to the movement and is referenced by the Mexican heritage as a potent cultural symbol. 15