Buddhist scripture symbolic meanings

Question:
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20121230111641AA6enAi

Should Buddhist scriptures be interpreted by reading the symbolic meanings?

[Fake Genius] stated "Frankly, symbolism is Buddhism is limited and not indirectly. Symbolism is clearly stated as symbolism. So whenever you counter a word, unless stated by experts, you shouldn't think in any symbolic idea at all. Lotus - is the only symbol that's significantly important"
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ats4yD_4cN3HF5.DXxuQCxUhBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20121229212212AAxU1i7

Let me reference some places where symbolism is used in Buddhism:

Dhammapada Verse 67 - Kassaka Vatthu - The Story of a Farmer:
The Buddha seeing the packet of money said to the Venerable Ananda, "Ananda, look at that very poisonous snake,"
Are snake/serpent, Ananda & Buddha symbols in Buddhism?

Also check Alagaddupama Sutta (MN 22): The Discourse on the Snake Simile

Sn 1.1 PTS: Sn 1-17 - Uraga Sutta: The Snake
http://www.buddhism.org/Sutras/Agama/Khuddhaka/1-uragavagga-e.htm
Is decayed snake skin a symbol?

Agama Sutras of Digha Nikaya - Karma (The Four Wives)
http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/story/fourwives.html

Vessantara = Ves + antara = interpersonal

I can go on referencing symbols in Buddhist scriptures.
All terms, including letters (dha = holding, ra = stream, nna =ja=generate) are symbols.

Should we interpret Buddhist scriptures on face value (popular Buddhism) OR after processing the symbols and cross-checking for conflicts with the rest?

Popular Buddhist interpretation is conflicting with it's core and magical (fake).

Additional Details

@Fake Genius,
You might even see Buddhist flag with 5 colors, Dhamma wheel and Swastika symbols used in Buddhism in the same view you see Lotus. Also, if you visit a temple, the Idols like Buddhist statute, Stupa/Chitya (Datu Garbha), Bodhi Tree, structure of Pagodas, the number of step you climb are symbols of concepts for intelligent viewers.

A change of a pulse is a symbol for a sharp mind (perceive as 'sanna'). Even a letter is a symbol.
I see that you have a narrowed definition for the term symbol.
Who holds you to do so? Move to the next level to see things openly.

A symbol is a mental picture that can have different interpretations based on how it relates to other symbols (cross check) within a scope and the level of interpreter's knowledge, concentration and view.
"A picture is worth than a thousand words."

Comparison between two things as an Analogy is comparing the attributes (symbols) in symbols.

Buddhist scriptures are written by highly intelligent people who researched on mind and not by commoners who say social things vaguely with no respect to integrity. Unless the reader reads the symbolism correctly in ancient scriptures in the likes of Buddhist Tipitaka, it is impossible to get the correct view and will end-up following a wrong path.

Suggest to study Information systems/technology (encoding, encryption, authentication, cryptography, etc) before touching on the Idea base (Dhamma Skanda) of Buddhism.
I like to see an open minded (not dogmatic) community for fruitful discussions.
 

Otherwise, whoever depends on popular Buddhism will conclude a dream never came true..

Who gets a knife is important to differentiate a surgeon, a butcher and a monkey!
Buddhism is for the wise!!
About Buddhism is for the not so wise!!!

Answer: