The article discusses the basic philosophical and aesthetic approaches to the study and analysis of the concept of symbol and symbolic character and as an important part of culture. Revealed the specific character of symbol who takes on new forms in specific historical conditions of Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the period of modern times. Investigated the philosophical and aesthetic symbolic meaning in terms of the cultural and historical context. Particular attention is paid to the categories of classical philosophy and (...) aesthetics in understanding symbols as interpretation from sign, metaphor and allegories based on the principle of mimesis as characteristic features of this era. (shrink)