Origin and Meaning of 13 Common Symbols Used in Everyday Life

There are various ways in which we can communicate with each other. Language is the most important tool that aids communication, and thousands of languages exist worldwide. There are many non-verbal methods of communication too. Signs and symbols are an essential component of our daily life. Signs like Zebra crossing are used on roads to help pedestrians; the thumbs-up sign indicates okay or best of luck, and the radioactivity sign indicates radioactive danger. Even when we talk to people via text messages, a conversation without emojis does not have the same impact as one with emojis.

Symbols

A symbol is a sign that represents an idea, relationship, or object. A symbol is a sign that represents something and is understood by the majority of people. The modern-day form of symbols includes emojis, which are widely popular on social media. The road signs like Zebra crossing, which help avoid accidents and ensure smooth traffic flow, are also types of symbols. Most of the ancient literature is written in the form of symbols. Sign language, which is made up of symbols through hand gesturing, helps the deaf and people who cannot speak to communicate with other people.

Non-verbal communication between people who can speak also takes place through symbols. Various ideas like Marxism, communism and the political parties also use symbols to represent themselves.

Let us learn about the origin and meaning of more than 13 common symbols we use in our daily lives, like Zebra crossing.

The origin and meaning of 13 common symbols used in everyday lives

• Zebra crossing symbol

The symbol for zebra crossing was discovered by “James Callaghan”. He came up with this symbol in 1948. The Zebra crossing symbol is made up of black and white stripes like zebra where the vehicles are needed to stop so that pedestrians can cross the road.

• The radioactivity symbol

Radioactive elements or products EMIT harmful radioactive rays have adverse effects on human beings. The radioactivity symbol is used to warn people about areas where they could counter radioactive rays. Researchers at the University of California doodled the radioactivity symbol.

• Thumbs up symbol

The thumbs-up is a pretty common symbol, like a zebra crossing.

It is an Anglo-Saxon word.

The thumbs-up symbol was used to denote a tree in Gladiator combats at the time of the Roman empire. Today, this symbol is used to express agreement or wish best of luck to someone.

• Ok symbol

Ok is not a word but a symbol. The symbol ok originated somewhere in the middle of the 19th century in the United States. Ok is used to indicate that all is correct or well, and it also indicates agreement like the thumbs up symbol.

• Victory sign

The victory sign is a person making a ‘v’ with their hands and is considered derogatory in countries like New Zealand and Australia. The minister of Belgium created the victory sign in 1941.

• Hospital

The origin of the hospital symbol can be traced back to Mesopotamian culture. The hospital symbol looks like a snake around a stick.

• Handicapped

The symbol for the disabled was created in 1968 by the international commission on technology and accessibility. Ms Sussan Coroade devised this symbol.

• AIDS

The symbol for AIDS is a red ribbon which is also used to spread awareness regarding drunk driving and drug abuse. The symbol originated in 1991 in New York.

• Danger sign

The danger side was originally devised to indicate poisonous and toxic substances. However, it was later used to indicate danger from other things like electric appliances.

• Male and Female sign

The symbol for the male gender is derived from Mars planet, while the symbol for the female gender is devised from the planet Venus. The signs have been used for public toilets since the year 1960.

• Symbol of justice

The symbol of justice has been in use since the 15 century. It is the goddess of justice being blindfolded and holding beam balance.

• Symbol of recycling

The symbol of recycling was devised in April 1970. The symbol signifies an object could be reused.

• Bluetooth

This symbol could be found on everybody’s phone. This symbol was developed by telecommunications vendor Ericsson in the year 1994.

These are the 13 symbols we use in our daily lives and their meanings and origin.

Conclusion

Symbols and signs are essential parts of our daily life. They help us communicate non verbally with each other. They are used to represent certain ideas and objects. They are also used to indicate danger. The symbols on roads ensure the smooth flow of traffic and avoid accidents. The symbol of zebra crossing is used to make the vehicles stop and let pedestrians cross the road. The v sign is used to indicate victory. The ok is the symbol of agreement. The red ribbon symbolises awareness against drugs, AIDS, drunk driving, drug abuse, etc.