Final answer:
The question asks about the difference between material and symbolic culture. Material culture includes physical objects like furniture, while symbolic culture encompasses the values and beliefs represented by these objects. Cultural artifacts can be tangible or metaphorical, signifying cultural concepts.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand material culture and symbolic culture, we look to everyday items and symbols that carry cultural significance. Material culture encompasses the physical objects that people use to define their culture. These can include everything from furniture and appliances to books and decorations, such as pictures on the wall.
On the other hand, symbolic culture or nonmaterial culture refers to the ideas, values, and beliefs that those physical objects represent. For instance, a toothbrush isn't just an item for oral hygiene; it represents the value placed on health and cleanliness in a culture. Similarly, a religious symbol like a cross or a menorah holds deep spiritual and cultural significance beyond its physical form.
Cultural artifacts serve as another example. These can be tangible, such as clothing or furniture, or metaphorical, like Du Bois's color line or veil, representing larger concepts within a culture.
This exploration reveals the profound connection between the items we use daily and our broader cultural identity, practices, and values. It also highlights how these objects help to orient our experiences and actions within specific cultural contexts.