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Navigating a UNIX file system is similar to finding your way through a city. Think of directories (or folders) as streets and subdirectories (subfolders) as lanes. To open a file, you need to follow a path just as you would follow a route to visit a particular location. Paths in UNIX are linear, meaning you move up or down through directories to reach your destination.
For example, accessing a file might require you to start at your home directory, move to a specific folder like 'documents', and then into a further subfolder. Each step requires a command, and knowing how to construct these commands is key. Just like understanding street names makes navigation easier, understanding UNIX commands simplify file system navigation.

Basic commands to remember include:

• `cd` - Change directory
• `ls` - List directory contents
• `pwd` - Print working directory to find out where you currently are

Overall, mastering these basic commands makes it simple to navigate through files and directories in UNIX.

The directory structure in UNIX is organized in a hierarchy. This resembles an upside-down tree. At the top of the tree is the root directory, often represented by a single `/`.
From this root, branches (subdirectories) extend, which can contain files or other subdirectories. This hierarchical system allows for a well-organized file storage, making it easy to locate files.

Here's how the structure typically looks:

• / Root directory
• /home User-specific directories
• /bin Essential user command binaries
• /etc System configuration files
• /usr Secondary hierarchy for read-only user data

The depth of the hierarchy allows for detailed organization, with the path reflecting the trail from the root to any given file. This precision in structure is one of UNIX’s strengths.

Symbols in UNIX file systems play a significant role in organizing and accessing files. Perhaps the most crucial is the `/` symbol, which serves as a divider between directories in a file path. It helps to mark different levels in directory locations.
For instance, consider the path: `/home/user/documents`. Here, `/` separates each directory name, indicating the sequence you follow to reach the `documents` folder.

Understanding the roles of other symbols is also vital:

• `..` - Moves up one directory level to the parent directory
• `.` - Refers to the current directory
• `~` - Represents the home directory of the current user

Being familiar with these symbols is essential for anyone utilizing a UNIX system, as it aids in efficient navigation and prevents errors when accessing directories and files.