Semiotics Assignment

1) What is the signifier?
This is a picture of a bull statue.

2) What does it signify?
After doing some research, I found that this statue sits in New York City and is sometimes referred to as the "Wall Street Bull". It was erected by an artist as a symbol of financial power and prosperity in 1989 after the stock market crashed in 1987. The bull's aggressive pose shows that Wall Street isn't passive, and that the stock market is an unpredictable, dangerous, and powerful force. Its eyes are wide and its lips are curled in a threatening sneer. The bull is also standing in a very aggressive stance, with its head near to the floor and its shoulders low. Its tail is swishing in an alert and tense way. All of these details are meant to symbolize aggression and power within America's financial sector. Also, It is also interesting to note that the artist, Arturo Di Modica, rebelliously placed the statue in New York City without letting the city know. Now, it is famous landmark that many tourists visit each year.

3) What specifically supports your analysis?

Knowing the story behind the statue definitely helps, but even if I didn't know these details, I would still infer that the bull is a symbol of power and strength. However, I probably wouldn't have realized that it represents Wall Street and the stock market. This is why context is so important; it helps us properly analyze the things we see each day and understand their deeper meaning.