Symbol

<p>A symbol is a mark, <a href="/facts/Sign_(semiotics)/NnPPsndG">sign</a>, or <a href="/facts/Word/UXNbIy5y">word</a> that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an <a href="/facts/Idea/zK4ar1yv">idea</a>, <a href="/facts/Physical_object/WhqjK6xo">object</a>, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise different <a href="/facts/Concept/VWB6yhQp">concepts</a> and experiences. All <a href="/facts/Communication/EGEkchsT">communication</a> is achieved through the use of symbols: for example, a red octagon is a common symbol for "<a href="/facts/Stop_sign/c8sX0tsg">STOP</a>"; on <a href="/facts/Map/KxQX4B2U">maps</a>, blue lines often represent rivers; and a red rose often symbolizes love and compassion. <a href="/facts/Numerical_digit/JJdLBoGT">Numerals</a> are symbols for <a href="/facts/Number/auQSAE2m">numbers</a>; <a href="/facts/Letter_(alphabet)/uRnrbGIJ">letters</a> of an <a href="/facts/Alphabet/vqfRpS3E">alphabet</a> may be symbols for certain <a href="/facts/Phoneme/EXGHlJ7a">phonemes</a>; and personal <a href="/facts/Name/Ibxlop3I">names</a> are symbols representing individuals. The academic study of symbols is called <a href="/facts/Semiotics/DuS3kK2g">semiotics</a>.
</p><p>In the arts, <a href="/facts/Artistic_symbol/FRkfWISu">symbolism</a> is the use of a <a href="/facts/Abstract_and_concrete/uNshak6S">concrete</a> element to represent a more abstract idea. In <a href="/facts/Cartography/8YdDAAeX">cartography</a>, an organized collection of symbols forms a <a href="/facts/Map_layout/Kuoy2UyS">legend</a> for a map.
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Symbol open-in-new

Symbol