What Does That Picture Mean? Signs All Around Us

Have you ever seen a red octagon sign and known to stop your bike, even before you could read the word STOP? That is because pictures and symbols can talk to us without using any words at all! The study of how signs and symbols carry meaning is called semiotics.

In this lesson you will: - Learn what a sign or symbol is. - Spot signs and symbols you already know without reading any words. - Learn the difference between a picture that looks like the real thing and a symbol that stands for an idea. - Make your own set of symbol cards.

A stop sign is red and shaped like an octagon so drivers notice it fast, even from far away. A picture of a running person on a door means exit. A skull and crossbones on a bottle means danger, do not touch. You already understand dozens of signs like these, even ones from other countries, because their shapes and colors give clues.

Some signs, called icons, look like the thing they mean, like a picture of an airplane pointing you toward an airport gate. Other signs, called symbols, do not look like the idea at all; you just have to learn what they mean, like a red heart meaning love or a green light meaning go. Words are symbols too! The letters D-O-G do not look like a dog, but we have all agreed they mean dog.

Red often means stop, danger, or hot. Green often means go, safe, or cool. Yellow warns you to be careful. Sign makers pick these colors on purpose so your brain understands the message in less than one second, faster than you could read a whole sentence.