To Live Like a Sunflower: Symbolism and Palliative Care in Hospice Logos
Introduction: The relationship between the human being and symbols is the aim of various studies in philosophy, anthropology, and psychology. In the palliative care context, the presence of sunflowers associated with hospices is recurrent, especially in logotypes, sparking interest in understanding...
| Autores: | , , |
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| Formato: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | Brasil |
| Recursos: | Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA) |
| Repositorio: | Revista Brasileira de Cancerologia (Online) |
| Idioma: | portugués inglés español |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:rbc.inca.gov.br:article/4827 |
| Acesso em linha: | https://rbc.inca.gov.br/index.php/revista/article/view/4827 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | Cuidados Paliativos Cuidados Paliativos na Terminalidade da Vida Helianthus Simbolismo Palliative Care Hospice Care Symbolism Cuidados Paliativos al Final de la Vida |
| Resumo: | Introduction: The relationship between the human being and symbols is the aim of various studies in philosophy, anthropology, and psychology. In the palliative care context, the presence of sunflowers associated with hospices is recurrent, especially in logotypes, sparking interest in understanding and reflecting on the meaning of sunflowers and their symbology to hospices. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the image of the sunflower, hospice logotypes, and the philosophy of palliative care. Method: Qualitative research with analysis based on Peirce’s semiotic theory of 16 hospice logos obtained from a Google images search in April 2021 using the descriptors “sunflower”, “palliative care”, and “hospices”. Results: Three thematic categories were identified: “sunflower as an expression of the life cycle”; “sunflower as an intention of care”; and “sunflower as an element of spirituality”. After a literature review on the etymological, symbolic, mythical, and poetic meanings of the sunflower, its use on logotypes was discovered to symbolize and evoke the transformations of time, human life cycles, and the human search for connection with life and spirituality. Conclusion: Sunflowers in hospice logos are a sign and symbol of palliation, aimed at caring for patients and their families, emphasizing life and living. |
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