Tag Archives: a metaphor is a knot

A metaphor is a knot that ties a word to an image

Metaphor, Persuasive message, punchline, value proposition, ,
The knot that connects the right and left hand sides of our brain is a metaphor
The knot that connects the right and left hand sides of our brain is a metaphor. Photo by Hean Prinsloo on Unsplash

Imagine a world without metaphors.

In fact don’t even try…because it is impossible.

We simply cannot function in a world without the power of description and understanding provided by metaphors.

To remind us, a metaphor is a word or phrase that is used to describe something else to emphasise their similar qualities.

A metaphor is received by the right side of the brain (the hemisphere which deals with emotion and imagination), while the left hand side takes on the logic of the expression. There’s an instant synergy over and above the term’s separate components.

Metaphors do three things:

  • Capture attention
  • Create connections with other people
  • Simplify complex ideas

Thus: we climb the corporate ladder, but may hit a glass ceiling. We take no prisoners as we seek being number one on the podium.

So, if you’re trying to describe something and are stuck in the mud, describe what can also be visualised…a metaphor as a ‘knot’.

Then you bring your language and your product to life – and provide yourself with a much greater risk of being memorable.

(Special thanks to Harry Mills of ‘Aha Advantage’ for the metaphor/knot comparison. He’s pretty sure he must’ve read it somewhere himself…but the world’s largest search engine doesn’t reveal an author or source!)