Symbols used in paintings

Currently reading "How to Read a Painting: Lessons from the Old Masters" by Patrick de Rynck. It's very interesting to see how symbols were used to convey extra meaning within these European paintings. http://painting.about.com/lr/old_master_painting_techniques/1814/1/

What are symbols used by today's painters and other cultures to add additional meaning to art?

• Chinese: http://www.chinesepaintings.com/chinese-symbols.html
• Australian Aboriginal Art: http://www.cooinda-gallery.com.au/aboriginal_art.asp
• 19th century symbolism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolism_(arts)
• Some ideas about personal symbols: http://www.joggles.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6601
• Symbolic doodling: http://www.enchantedmind.com/html/creativity/techniques/art_of_doodling.html and http://www.headsketch.com/doodle-symbolism.asp