Interpreting Symbols

1. Interpreting Symbols Dr. John Eigenauer Taft College

2. What symbols are missing from this group?

3. This symbol is the medieval symbol for sulfur: an element that smells horribly when lit on fire (it smells like rotten eggs). The triangle on top symbolized fire. Why did medieval alchemists add the arrow below to create a symbol for sulfur?

4. According to an eighteenth century encyclopedia, this symbol meant “month”. Explain how this symbol represents a month.

5. Below is the symbol for an alloy (compound) of mercury and silver. If gold were represented by a large “O” and copper by a small “O”, how might an alloy of gold and copper be represented?

6. This old and common ideogram means “flowing water”, “river”, or “stream”. Interestingly, the symbol also means “advanced intellect.” What relationship exists between these two seemingly different concepts?

7. This is an African symbol of cooperation that is called “Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo”, which means, “Help me and let me help you”. Explain how the shapes within the symbol, the symbol’s overall shape, and the relationships among the shapes indicate the symbol’s meaning.

8. This is an African symbol from a philosophical writing system known as Adinkra. The symbol itself, called “Sepo”, is the symbol of justice. Explain how the form and parts of the symbol might symbolize “justice”.

9. Below is the brilliant physicist Richard Feynman’s symbol for “an electron emits a photon.” Which part of the diagram represents the photon and which part represents the photon? What is your reason for reaching this conclusion?

10. The symbol is found on maps called “topographic maps”. These maps have different symbols for everything that one might find in an area. What does the symbol at the end of the arrow represent? What is your reason for reaching this conclusion?