What is the Difference Between Sign and Symbol?

The main difference between a sign and a symbol lies in their meanings and interpretations. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Sign: A sign is a universally accepted inscription whose meaning has to be followed without question. It is mainly objective and directly communicates a specific message. Signs are usually informative, regulatory, warning, or prohibitory, and they are meant to be followed as they are. Examples of signs include road signs, warning signs, and commands.
• Symbol: A symbol, on the other hand, may only be meaningful to a particular group of people and may be interpreted in different ways since its meaning may not be universally shared. Symbols can have several various interpretations and are influenced culturally. They are often used to depict ideas, and these ideas can vary from person to person. Examples of symbols include religious symbols, cultural symbols, and emblems.

In summary, a sign is a clear and universally accepted representation of a message, while a symbol is a more subjective and culturally influenced representation that can be interpreted in various ways.

Comparative Table: Sign vs Symbol

The main difference between a sign and a symbol is that a sign is an object, quality, or event whose presence or absence is meant to indicate an association with another concept or condition, while a symbol is an object or action that represents an idea or quality. Here is a table summarizing the differences between signs and symbols:

In summary, signs are meant to indicate an association with another concept or condition, while symbols represent ideas or qualities.