Autumn leaves symbolize change, transition, and letting go, representing the end of a cycle and the start of a new one. They can signify the natural flow of life and the impermanence of existence, but also the beauty found in these transformations and the renewal that follow

Symbolism of change and transition
Cycle of renewal: The leaves falling is part of a natural cycle, illustrating the principle that growth requires letting go of the old.
Change and transformation: They represent change and transition in nature and in life, moving from the vibrant greens of summer to the rich colors of fall before falling to the ground.
Letting go: The act of falling can symbolize releasing what is no longer serving a purpose, making space for new beginnings.
Symbolism of the passage of time
Fleeting moments: The leaves, carried away by the wind, can represent how time moves forward and moments are fleeting.
Nostalgia and memory: They can evoke feelings of nostalgia and the passage of time, with the end of an era and the remnants of the past.
Symbolism of life and death
End of an era: The falling leaves can be a visual metaphor for an ending, and in some contexts, even death, as in the song "Autumn Leaves," which is about the end of a relationship.
"Dying to oneself": In a spiritual sense, they can represent the act of letting go of the self and serving others, like the leaves nourishing the earth for future life.
Life beneath the surface: Just as life exists under the snow in winter, the fallen leaves represent the unseen promise of spring and new life to come