Symbol

Definition: Something that represents something else; a suggestion towards a separate idea made by the author.


Example: 

Ah Sunflower, weary of time,Who countest the steps of the sun;Seeking after that sweet golden climeWhere the traveller's journey is done

—"Ah Sunflower," William Blake 

Significance: Symbols are a way of saying something without blatantly saying it. Instead of directly stating a poem or phrase's meaning, authors sometimes use symbolism to hint at a hidden meaning.