allegory; hidden meaning; moral
Refers to a deeper, often moral or symbolic meaning conveyed indirectly through a story, image, or statement. Common in literary and artistic contexts.
This fable contains a deep allegorical meaning.
His painting hides a social allegory.
morality play; allegorical play
allegorical; emblematic
allegory; allegorical novel
From Middle Chinese 寓意 (ngù ʔì), literally 'lodged meaning'. The kanji 寓 means 'to imply' or 'to reside temporarily', and 意 means 'meaning' or 'intent'.