the symbolism of male sexuality...

one of the striking characteristics about penis symbols is the discrepancy between the symbols and what penises are actually like. male genitals are fragile, squashy, delcate things; even when erect, the penis is spongy, seldom straight, and rounded at the tip, while the testicles are imperfect spheres, always vulnerable, never still.... far more commonly, the soft, vulnerable charm of male genitals is rendered as hard, tough, and dangerous. it is not flowers that most commonly symbolize male genitals but swords, knives, fists, guns.

yet even erect the penis and testicles are not hard, tough, weapon-like. the penis cannot stab and do all the other violent things it is evoked as being capable of, for fear of being hurt itself by doing so.... moreover, the penis is also the symbol of male potency, the magic and mystery of the phallus, the endowment that appears to legitimate male power. yet penises are only little things (even big ones) without much staying power, pretty if you can learn to see them like that, but not magical or mysterious or powerful in themselves, that is, not objectively full of real power.

...from male sexuality in the media by richard dyer. [from my critical gender studies reader]