Signs and symbols are graphical presentations. A sign is generally used to warn people or make them aware in some situations.
A symbol is something that a specific group of people accepts.
Key Takeaways
- A sign is a visual or auditory representation that directly conveys meaning, such as a stop sign or a sound indicating an event or action, often having a literal connection to its meaning.
- A symbol represents an idea, concept, or object, often indirectly and with a more abstract connection to its meaning, such as a dove symbolizing peace or a flag representing a country.
- Both signs and symbols convey meaning and information, but they have a more direct, literal connection to their meaning, while symbols represent more abstract ideas or concepts.
Sign vs. Symbol
The difference between a sign and a symbol is that a sign on its own is a language, and it is used to communicate between people. In contrast, a symbol represents something that certain groups of people accept.
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Symbols are abstract or subjective and require interpretation, while signs in nature are informative, advisory, mandatory, prohibitory, and warning. An example of a sign would be a traffic sign which tells you what is ahead of you or warn you if there is a sudden turn or a speed breaker ahead.
An example of a symbol can be a cross, universally accepted as it represents Christianity, or other examples such as a wifi symbol, a power button, and many more. There can also be different interpretations of a particular sign, as people may perceive them differently.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Sign | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Sign on its own is a language, and it is used to communicate between people. | The symbol represents something that certain groups of people accept. |
| Nature | Signs in nature are informative, advisory, mandatory, prohibitory, and warning. | Symbols are abstract or subjective. |
| Meaning | A sign may have only one meaning, and it may also be mandatory to be followed by everyone. | A symbol may only be targeted towards only a certain group of people and not be mandatory for everyone to follow. |
| Interpretations | A sign only has one meaning and thus cannot be interpreted in any other way. | A symbol has many meanings, and its interpretations may vary as people perceive it differently. |
What is Sign?
A sign is mainly used to warn people or inform them in certain situations. It is in itself a language, and it is used to communicate between people.
Signs in nature are informative, advisory, mandatory, prohibitory, and warning.
A sign may have only one meaning, and it may also be mandatory to be followed by everyone, and due to this, it cannot be interpreted in any other way.
Signs can also mean using gestures or other gestures to convey instructions or information.
A sign has to be followed just the way it is. It is also descriptive, or in others words, it means and stands for a specific thing. When a sign is implemented in any area, people can easily interpret what it stands for and must follow what it means.
What is Symbol?
The symbol is a graphical presentation representing something a specific group of people accepts. Symbols are abstract or subjective and require interpretation.
A symbol may only be targeted towards a certain group and not mandatory for everyone to follow. Due to this, its interpretations may vary as different people perceive it differently than others. A symbol can also mean a conventional representation of a function, process, or object.
A cross is an excellent example of what a symbol is. It is universally accepted, and it represents Christianity. Other symbols universally interpreted the same way are power off buttons, WiFi, mobile data, or the thumbs up and peace symbols.
Main Differences Between Sign and Symbol
- Sign on its own is a language, and it is used to communicate between people and is mainly used to make people aware of something. In contrast, a symbol represents something that certain groups of people accept.
- Signs in nature are informative, advisory, mandatory, prohibitory, and warning, whereas symbols are abstract or subjective and require interpretation.
- A sign may have only one meaning, and it may also be mandatory to be followed by everyone. At the same time, a symbol may only be targeted toward only a particular group of people and not be mandatory for everyone to follow.
- A sign only has one meaning, so it cannot be interpreted in any other way. A symbol has many meanings. Due to this, its interpretations may vary as people perceive it differently than others.
- Examples of a sign would be traffic signs which tell you what is ahead of you or warn you if there is a sudden turn or speed breaker ahead. An example of a symbol can be a universally accepted cross as it represents Christianity, wifi symbol, mobile data, or a power button.
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
