symbol vs symbolize

symbol is a noun but symbolize is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
symbol	Yes	No	No	No
symbolize	No	No	Yes	No

symbol (noun)	symbolize (noun)
something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible
an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance

symbol (verb)	symbolize (verb)
	express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol
	represent or identify by using a symbol; use symbols