Semiotics or semiology is also called the theory of drawing. Semiotics concerns the essential character, origin and use of signs that we use as humans. The field has similarities with the humanities and philosophy of language. In semiotics, three types of signs are distinguished, namely: icons, indexes and symbols.
A map gives a representative picture of the road network and is therefore an icon. / Source: Mohamed Hassan, Pixabay
Icon
An icon functions based on a similarity relationship. It always gives a representative image of the object being depicted. You could say that it is an image taken from reality. Although it is not just about photos, but also about maps, for example. After all, a map gives a representative image of the object: all roads.
Examples of icons are:
- photos
- Maps
In some cases you could also call something that occurs in a language an icon, for example verbs that refer to the sound of something. Think of coughing, growling, barking, sniffing. So you could say that an icon is not only about images but also about language (signs).
Index
An index is a sign with a direct connection to the object it belongs to. You must deduce the object to be conveyed with the icon from what you see. With an index you do not literally see which object it is. From what you see you have to deduce/infer which object it is.
Smoke is an index of fire. / Source: Werner22brigitte, Pixabay
A few examples for clarification:
- Smoke is an index of a fire.
- A cough is an index of having a cold.
- For example, when you meet someone and tell them that he/she can recognize you by your blond hair and red cap, his blond hair and red cap are indexes of your own.
- All symptoms associated with a particular disease are examples of indexes
Symbol
A symbol is a sign that is not related to reality. You can only know the meaning of a symbol if you have learned it/have the knowledge of it. There are very well-known examples of symbols. Consider the following:
- The ichtus symbol (with which Christians used to let each other know that they were Christians).
- The Yin and Yang symbol
- The Cross (in Christianity)
The Ichthus symbol.
- Flags (these of course symbolize the country)
- Numbers (all numbers that exist are symbols: there is no logical reason why ‘2’ would refer to a pair, for example)
- Most words (most words have no similarity relationship to what they refer to)
It is clear that the above symbols are not taken from reality. Agreements have been made, as it were, about the meaning of a symbol. The only way a symbol can be interpreted is because someone has acquired knowledge or learned the meaning of the symbol.