Signs and Symbols
Introduction
As our need to communicate direction, create maps, and to represent simple ideas such as numbers developed, so did our use of common graphic signs and symbols. Using symbols eased communication over long distances, time, and across language barriers. They are still used today for these same reasons. Without the development of visual symbols, we would not have an alphabet. The invention of a written language has enabled the transmission and creation of knowledge.
Many cultures share symbol meanings and most signs are universally known. Signs are simple and directional, while symbols are more complex and represent larger ideas.
Some Common Signs and Symbols
Fu is the name of a sign in Chinese symbolism for authority,
divine power and the ability to judge what is right and wrong. Thus it
is a symbol for justice. It is used in many Western countries today.
A sign from the French hobo or gypsy system, meaning here are dogs in
the yard, watch out!
The ancient Egyptian staff sign or god staff ankh, which was also the
hieroglyph used to symbolize reproduction and sexual union. According
to other sources it meant life and zest for life.
The most common of the non-pictorial signs in use today to represent
a target. A similar sign has been found on the brow of a statue
representing a priest king, living in what today is India. The statue
is dated back to around 3000 B.C.
This is the anti-nuclear emblem or the peace sign. It can be seen as
composed of a Tyr rune, lengthened upward. In Germany and Austria it
is often called the Todesrune, the rune of death, or an inverted life
rune. According to some sources it was conceived by placing the signs
N and D (for Nuclear Disarmament) from the international marine flag
signalling system on top of each other, and circumscribing the
combination with a circle.
Here we have the arrow sign, one of the oldest and most common of
ideograms. The arrow sign has been discovered in prehistoric caves and
engraved on rocks in the Sahara. An arrow sign indicates movement in a
specific direction. It is used with this meaning by the boy-scouts, as
a traffic sign, etc...
Student Project
Illustrate a well-known nursury rhyme or fairy tale using only signs and symbols. Rather than drawing an entire image or scene, develop a set of symbols to represent the characters and use signs to denote the action. Remember- the point of using signs and symbols is to communicate clearly and simply. Instead of words, we use pictures that are easily interpreted.
See the student examples below. Can you "read" the story? How did the artist communicate their ideas? What tools did they use to help you understand?
