The problem here, of course, is, "What is the original?" The concept of the original is complicated by the fact that concepts and original ideas do not exist in a vacuum. That is, they do not exist without words. Even if one imagines a concept without words (if that is even possible), one must use pictures, which are as symbolic as words. One cannot represent, even to oneself, without symbols. The symbolic order is inescapable, thus, if there can be no original without a symbol to signify it, then does the symbol not seamlessly take the place of the original? Does it not become the original?