A metaphor is a way to describe the object using an idea or comparison. When using metaphors, people compare things that are not true but well understood as symbols. It is used in literature, poetry, and some people’s daily speech. However, it is a powerful method to convey the idea. Metaphors and other comparisons can become great ways to teach children about different essential life aspects.
Object metaphor is a concept of describing an object that shows an element of its character. It is clear that “metaphors help students understand and envision what they haven’t seen before, and can help educators paint fuller pictures of how they view life in the classroom” (Harris, 2021, p. 17). Dincel (2019) states that “the pronunciation of the words is not enough to understand what you read” (p. 238). However, most of the daily metaphors used by people have roots in historical events.
It is also the same with the metaphor of the loom, the warp, and the weft. According to many ancient Athena and Moirai myths, the loom symbolizes life and activity. At the same time, Greek and Latin writings maintain “that in the destiny of an individual person, the passage of the weft represents different life events, using yarns spun by the Fates” (Ancheta, 2018). Life ends when the warp is cut, and the loom is clear. Warp yarns are the ones that are parallel to the fabric edge. However, the weft yarns are threaded over the warp threads, representing fabric together. In literature, they usually symbolize the opposites like sun and moon, up and down, in and out, etc. The combination of two dichotomic parts makes it unique and unrepeatable and creates identity.
Every life is unique, and that is what the loom, the warp, and the weft metaphors mean. Being one of the most popular ways to explain different concepts, the analogy demonstrates itself even more accessible in terms of a teaching identity. In this case, the metaphor perfectly justifies the idea, showing the truth in unusual ways. The metaphors and other different comparisons are great ways to teach and explain.
References
Ancheta, K. (2018). Women and metaphors of weaving. Katie Ancheta.
Dincel, B. K. (2019). Metaphors on the concepts of “reading” and “listening” created by the secondary school students. Journal of Education and Learning, 8(1), 238-248.
Harris, K. I. (2021). Teaching metaphors: supporting professional growth and shaping teacher identity. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 9(8), 17-23.