Symbolism is a system in which symbols, such as numbers or images, stand for external objects or ideas. Symbolism is present in nearly every facet of human society, most notably in the use of language. When combined with the word "rehearsal," which refers to mental practice or recitation, the phrase "symbolic rehearsal" describes a type of memorization or recitation of a symbol. This is contrast to empirical memorization, which is accomplished through direct experience of the object being memorized.
Symbolic rehearsal is useful when the direct object is not accessible for memorization purposes. In the example of memorizing a maze pattern, the full-size maze itself cannot be experienced without entering the maze. Therefore, symbolically rehearsing the correct pathway through the maze by studying an image of the maze interior allows you to memorize the solution while remaining external to the maze.
Similar to the maze example, you might study a roadmap before you drive to a new area, such as when going on a road trip. Since it is impossible to experience the road route directly, you study a symbol of the route represented on a roadmap. Your mind then applies what it retains from your symbolic rehearsal to navigate the physical roadway. Another real-world example is when you study a wiring diagram to memorize the correct layout of wire connections.
Aside from the ability to rehearse otherwise inaccessible objects, such as roadways, symbolic rehearsal also offers cognitive benefits. When we memorize something through sensory experience, a different portion of the brain is used than is used with symbolic rehearsal. Symbolic rehearsal therefore allows your mind to memorize the information in multiple neurological locations. This improves memory retention as well as mental accessibility. Furthermore, symbolic rehearsal forces your mind to conceptualize the information being rehearsed. This process of conceptualization gives your mind a more thorough grasp on the object of study.