Icon is better to be considered first. Essentially, icon means a pictorial representation of something. An icon also can be illustrative or diagrammatic. For example, the “No smoking sign” below always reminds of a very important message “You are not allowed to smoke in this place”. So, it really is warning us that we are not allowed to smoke or if we smoke we are going to face the law. In essence, in this sign we see a picture of cigarette that is lit up and a red line drawn on it to show that cigarette is extremely prohibited in a particular place.
Index sign is another type of signs. Basically, an Index signs is a sign where there is a direct link between the sign and the object. Most of traffic signs are index signs, because, they give information which relates to a particular location. Traffic signs or road signs are signs placed at the side of roads to provide information to drivers. For example, picture of “No U turn” traffic sign is simple to analyze, because its meaning is obvious. Whenever we are driving in a road and face this sign, automatically, we know that we may not turn because it is prohibited. If we do so, we are going to face further penalties.
Symbol is another type of signs that are important to be considered. A symbol has no logical meaning between it and the object. For instance, if we look at the symbol of love below, we see a red heart that every time we see it, it gives us the sign of love. As everyone knows, the most common symbol for love and certainly the most recognizable is the Heart symbol. But, why the shape of heart is shown like that? As, it was written before, symbols may not have any logical meaning to its object represented. The shape of heart is only assumed to be the sign of love and has become a symbol in the society during ages. So, the shape of heart always is used to strengthen relationships and passion. The heart shape may convey a lot of massages that all of them are related to love at the end. One of the meanings that it may convey is that a new love interest is on the way or another massage is that sometimes you should pay Closer attention to loved ones at this time.
Basically, all these three words which are icon, index and symbol have a particular meaning. They all are related to each other in some ways. To prove, they all are representing a meaning which sometimes can be straight forward like index signs or somehow vague like symbols which some of them are needed to be studied and some of them have got a meaning during ages. It was the way I analyze the three signs of semiotics which are Icon, Index and symbols. What do you think about these three types of signs?
