Symbol

A symbol is a drawing, shape, or an object that represents an idea, object, or amount of something.

Overview

The most common symbols are letters, which are symbols of words and sounds. A symbol can be an actual object (such as the cross, a symbol of Christianity or a scepter, a symbol of royalty and power), or a certain color or pattern.

Purposes

Symbols are used often in poetry and other types of literature, sometimes as metaphors or similes. A national emblem is a symbol for a certain country.

List of common symbols

There are thousands of symbols that are recognized by most people all over the world, and many more that are limited to certain regions, religions and sciences. Some of the best known ones are listed below.

 Alpenhorn -> Switzerland
 Asiatic Lion -> India
 Balance (scale) -> justice
 Bat -> vampire (western), luck (Chinese)
 Bear -> the U.S. state of California
 Beaver -> Canada
 Boomerang -> Australia
 Caduceus -> Medical profession
 Cadillac -> top of the line (in USA only)
 Cedar tree-> Lebanon
 Cheetah -> speed
 Cherry Blossom -> Japan
 Chukar -> Pakistan
 Compass rose -> navigation
 Cowboys and Indians -> the old Western USA
 Crucifix -> Christianity
 Cupid, heart -> love
 Cedrus deodara -> Pakistan
 Donkey -> United States Democratic Party
 Dove -> Peace
 Dragon -> China / Wales
 Eagle -> USA
 Elephant -> United States Republican Party
 Elephant -> Thailand
 Fatima Jinnah -> Pakistan
 Flags -> the associated countries
 Fleur-de-lis -> scouts, the Canadian city of Quebec
 Geneva cross -> ambulance, neutrality, humanitarian
 Great Wall of China -> China
 Hammer and sickle -> U.S.S.R., Communism
 Hat and wand -> magic
 Horseshoe -> good luck
 Igloo -> North Pole
 James Dean -> rebellion
 Jasmine -> Pakistan
 Kangaroo -> Australia
 Kiwi -> New Zealand
 Liberty Bell -> USA
 Lightbulb -> idea
 Lightning bolt -> electricity, speed
 Lion -> England
 Llama -> South America
 Lotus -> Hinduism and Buddhism
 Mango -> Pakistan
 Markhor -> Pakistan
 Maple leaf -> Canada
 Mortar and pestle -> Pharmacy
 Mount Fuji -> Japan
 Mount Rushmore -> USA
 Muhammad Ali Jinnah -> Pakistan
 Owl -> wisdom/education (western worlds), may mean evil in other place.
 Panda -> China
 Peace symbol -> hippies
 Penguin -> South Pole, Linux
 Pine tree and crane -> long life (Chinese)
Plum flower -> China
 Pocket protector -> nerds
 Poinsettia -> Christmas
 Polar bear -> North Pole 
 Rainbow -> Peace, Disarmament, Sustainability
 Rose -> England
 Rams -> Guangzhou
 Rolls Royce -> luxury, top of the line
 Royal Bengal Tiger -> Bangladesh
 St. Bernard (dog) -> rescue
 Shamrock -> Ireland, Trinity
 Shogun -> Japan
 Skull and crossbones -> poison, danger
 Star and crescent -> Islam
 Star of David -> Judaism
 Statue of Liberty -> USA
 Swastika -> Hinduism, Buddhism, Nazism
 Teen Talwar -> Pakistan
 Thistle -> Scotland
 Tulips -> Netherlands
 Turkey -> Thanksgiving holiday
 Uncle Sam -> USA
 Unicorn -> good luck
 Volvo cars -> bad/elderly drivers (Australia), prestige (European Union), Sweden
 Water Lilly -> Bangladesh
 White Flag -> France
 Windmills -> Netherlands
 Yin yang symbol -> Daoism

Related pages

 Icon
 Image
 Semiotics
 Symbolism

Category:Culture
Category:Society

Category:Religions
Category:Civilization (video game series)