a purely 'symbolic' act/gesture [=an act/gesture that is intended as a symbol of something but that does not have any real effect]
The number 7 has 'symbolic' significance/importance [=has significance/importance as a symbol] in their religion.
The storm is 'symbolically' important in the story.
(..) much earlier in the game, but he refused to sacrifice his queen. His queen? Okay, do you know how crazy you sound right now? It's symbolic of Tim not wanting to sacrifice his mother. The two of them are too close. Plus, he didn't yawn when I did. That's not gonna hold up in court. (..)2014 TvShow: Bones Title: The Master in the Slop Season: 9 Episode 14