Astatus symbol is a visible, external symbol of one's social position, an indicator ofeconomic orsocial status.[1] Manyluxury goods are often considered status symbols.Status symbol is also asociological term – as part of social and sociologicalsymbolic interactionism – relating to how individuals and groups interact and interpret various cultural symbols.[2]
The term "status symbol" was first written in English in 1955,[3] but from 1959 with the publication of the bestseller "The Status Seekers" greater distribution. There, journalistVance Packard describes the social strategy and behavior in the USA.[4]
As people aspire to high status, they often seek also its symbols. As with othersymbols, status symbols may change in value or meaning over time, and will differ among countries and cultural regions, based on their economy and technology.
For example, before the invention of theprinting press, possession of a large collection of laboriously hand-copiedbooks was a symbol of wealth and scholarship. In later centuries, books (and literacy) became more common, so aprivate library became less-rarefied as a status symbol, though a sizable collection still commands respect.[5]
In some past cultures of East Asia,pearls andjade were major status symbols, reserved exclusively for royalty. Similar legal exclusions applied to thetoga and its variants inancient Rome, and tocotton in theAztec Empire. Special colors, such asimperial yellow (in China) orroyal purple (in ancient Rome) were reserved for royalty, with severe penalties for unauthorized display. Another common status symbol of the European medieval past washeraldry, a display of one's family name and history.
Status symbols also indicate the cultural values of a society or a subculture. For example, in acommercial society, having money or wealth and things that can be bought by wealth, such as cars, houses, or fine clothing, are considered status symbols. Where warriors are respected, ascar can represent honor or courage.[6] Amongintellectuals being able to think in an intelligent and educated way is an important status symbol regardless of material possessions. In academic circles, a long list of publications and a securelytenured position at a prestigious university or research institute are a mark of high status. It has been speculated that the earliest foods to be domesticated were luxury feast foods used to cement one's place as a "rich person".[7]
Auniform symbolizes membership in an organization, and may display additional insignia of rank, specialty, tenure and other details of the wearer's status within the organization. A state may conferdecorations, medals orbadges that can show that the wearer has heroic or official status. Elaboratecolor-codedacademic regalia is often worn duringcommencement ceremonies, indicatingacademic rank and specialty.
In many cultures around the world, diversevisual markers of marital status are widely used.Coming of age rituals and otherrites of passage may involve granting and display of symbols of a new status.Dress codes may specify who ought to wear particular kinds or styles of clothing, and when and where specific items of clothing are displayed.
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Status symbol" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(November 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The condition and appearance of one's body can be a status symbol. In times past, when most workers did physical labor outdoors under the sun and often had little food, being pale and fat was a status symbol, indicating wealth and prosperity (through having more than enough food and not having to do manual labor). Now that workers usually do less-physical work indoors and find little time for exercise, being tanned and thin is often a status symbol in modern cultures.
Dieting to reduce excess body fat is widely practiced in Western society, while some traditional societies still valueobesity as a sign of prosperity. Development ofmuscles throughexercise, previously disdained as a stigma of doing heavymanual labor, is now valued as a sign of personal achievement. Some groups, such as extremebodybuilders andsumo wrestlers use special exercise and diet to "bulk up" into an impressive appearance.
Ancient Central AmericanMaya cultures artificially inducedcrosseyedness andflattened the foreheads of high-born infants as a permanent, lifetime sign of noble status.[8] The Mayans alsofiled their teeth to sharp points to look fierce, or insetprecious stones into their teeth as decoration.[8]
The ownership of luxury residences in exclusive locations has historically been considered one of the ultimate status symbols worldwide. Among the most coveted and recognized destinations globally arePortofino, a renowned location on theItalian Riviera, characterized by prestigious properties overlooking one ofEurope's most exclusive natural harbors;Lierna, offering a privileged view ofLake Como, historically associated with high aristocracy and international economic elites; andMonte Carlo, in thePrincipality of Monaco, a key hub forfinance,luxury, and global high society.
These residences, in addition to providing a high level ofprivacy andsecurity, serve as genuine symbols of power and prestige, often linked tonoble dynasties, prominententrepreneurs,financial leaders, and influential figures on the international stage. The value of such properties is not merely determined by their strategic location orarchitectural features but, more importantly, by their function as instruments ofsocial representation andstatus assertion, as access to them is often restricted even for those with immensewealth.
Luxury goods are often perceived as status symbols. Examples may include amansion orpenthouse apartment,[9] atrophy wife,[10]haute couturefashionable clothes,[11]jewellery,[12] or aluxury vehicle.[13] A sizeable collection of high-priced artworks or antiques may be displayed, sometimes in multiple seasonally occupied residences located around the world.Privately owned aircraft and luxuryyachts are movable status symbols that can be taken from one glamorous location to another; the "jet set" refers to wealthy individuals who travel byprivate jet and who frequent fashionable resorts.[14]
Status symbols are also used by persons of much more modest means. In theSoviet Union before the fall of theBerlin Wall, possession of American-styleblue jeans orrock music recordings (even pirated or bootlegged copies) was an important status symbol among rebelliousteenagers. In the 1990s, foreigncigarettes inChina, where a pack ofMarlboro could cost one day's salary for some workers, were seen as a status symbol.[15]Mobile phone usage had been considered a status symbol (for example inTurkey in the early 1990s),[16] but is less distinctive today, because of the spread of inexpensive mobile phones. NonethelessApple products such asiPhone are common status symbols among modern teenagers.[17][18]
A common type of modern status symbol is a prestigiousluxury branded item, whether apparel or other type of a good.[11] The brand name or logo is often prominently displayed, or featured as agraphic design element of decoration. Certain brands are so highly valued that cheapcounterfeit goods or knock-off copies are purchased and displayed by those who do not want to, or are unable to, pay for the genuine item.
| Similar personality concepts | |
|---|---|
| In society | |
| Pathological narcissism | |
| Related psychology concepts | |
Authority control databases: National |
|---|
