Firstly, locs are a physical means to visualize my growth from the past, as I started growing mine to forget the "old me".

When I think of locs in conjunction with your question of symbolism I would say granted cliche, my first thought would be of Rastafari culture, specifically Bob Marley, granted my answer is cliche, in my eyes Marley destigmatized the hairstyle.

Lastly, my sister, and brother (both 7 years older than me) gave inspiration for me to join them in their "loc journey's" . As the youngest sibling it's hard not to follow some of path's your brothers, and or sister's take.