What are SIGNS, SYMBOLS

AND ICONS?
 SIGNS
● When you see the traffic light turn red, what do you do?

● When at a restaurant or at a hospital, if you see this sign,

what do you think it means?
● In Math, when you see this what are the 4 operations you can
identify?
● What does this sign mean?
So how can we now explain what is a SIGN?
● A SIGN is something that
communicates a message briefly.
● A SIGN is universally recognized.
● A SIGN gives us directions, instructions
and warns us.
 SYMBOLS
● Your sibling is hurt, you hug them to comfort them. What are you trying to
express or communicate?
● When you light a diya during Diwali, what does it mean according to you
and your family?
● Catholics believe in the , Hindus follow the
So how can we now explain what is a SYMBOL?
● A SYMBOL is something that is used to
express emotions or ideas
● A SYMBOL is something accepted or
created by certain groups of people
● A SYMBOL could mean different things
to different people
Religious symbols
USA’s national
symbol
Symbol for Symbol for
Chinese symbol love
peace for peace
Brand logos are symbols because they represent an idea
Brand logos are symbols because they represent an idea
 ICONS
An ICON is a picture on the computer screen or a phone
screen that stands for a particular function.
It represents the same or similar object
Identify signs, symbols and icons
Look at the images and sort them on a Venn diagram into 3 categories:
Signs - Symbols - Icons
 Venn Diagram
Signs

Symbols Icons
Draw a Y- chart in your notebook. Write down your understanding of signs,
symbols and icons in it.
Signs
Signs are images that give us
instructions, directions and warnings.
Eg: a skull sign means danger

Symbols Icons

Symbols can be brand logos. Symbols

express feelings and ideas. Eg: G for Icons are apps on your phone. They
Google represent the exact same or similar
object. Eg- Weather icon
 ICONOGRAPHY
The term ICONOGRAPHY comes from the Greek word IKON meaning ‘image’.
Iconography is the use of images to convey a particular meaning or message.
Iconography in olden days was used as: paintings on wooden panels to show a message from
Christianity.
Iconography was used to convey religious and art messages in the olden times.
Get ready to play SCAVENGER HUNT!!!!
● Everyone needs to get up from their seats.
● You get 3 minutes to bring any one of the following:
1) Sign 2) Symbol, 3) Icon
● You will then get 2 minutes to share with the class a
description of your item.
● While describing your item, tell us:
I got a ………………………. (sign, symbol, icon)
I think it is a ……………………….. because……………..