Introduction Signs and Symbols Keywords Semiotics, the study of signs and meaning has two founders. Iconic signs have a visual relationship or similarity to what they are signifying. A Netscape browser, for example, uses a number of icons. Indexical signs are connected in some way to the thing or action they are trying to signify.
Symbols have a totally arbitrary relationship to what they represent.
Their meaning is not fixed and depends on social debates and processes. The swastika is a symbol. This symbol has been found during excavations in ancient Rome, on Buddhist artifacts, and Chinese coins. Before World War II, it was commonly found on postcards and other items as a symbol of love and good luck. However, we presently know it as a symbol of Nazi facism.