pictograms

(noun)

A pictorial symbol for a word or phrase. They are the earliest known forms of writing.

Related Terms

Examples of pictograms in the following topics:

  • Misleading Graphs

    • When using pictogram in bar graphs, they should not be scaled uniformly as this creates a perceptually misleading comparison.
    • The area of the pictogram is interpreted instead of only its height or width.
    • In the improperly scaled pictogram bar graph, the image for B is actually 9 times larger than A.

  • Interpreting Distributions Constructed by Others

    • When using pictogram in bar graphs, they should not be scaled uniformly as this creates a perceptually misleading comparison.
    • The area of the pictogram is interpreted instead of only its height or width.
    • Note how in the improperly scaled pictogram bar graph, the image for B is actually 9 times larger than A.

  • Bronze Age Rock Carvings

    • Petroglyphs, or rock engravings, are pictogram and logogram images created by removing part of a rock surface via incising, picking, carving and/or abrading.

  • The Sumerians

    • The Early Dynastic period (2900-2334 BCE) saw writing, in contrast to pictograms, become commonplace and decipherable.
    • Initially, pictograms were used, followed by cuneiform, and then ideograms.

  • Painting

    • Initially Jesus was represented indirectly by pictogram symbols such as the Ichthys, the peacock, the Lamb of God, or an anchor.

  • African Art

  • Codices of the Aztecs

    • The colonial-era codices not only contain Aztec pictograms, but also Classical Nahuatl (in the Latin alphabet), Spanish, and occasionally Latin.

  • The Mesopotamian Cultures

    • During this time, cuneiform and pictograms suggest the abundance of pottery and other artistic traditions.

  • Early Christian Art

    • Initially Jesus was represented indirectly by pictogram symbols such as the Ichthys, the peacock, the Lamb of God, or an anchor.