What is a symbol? What are the characteristics?

A symbol is originally a symbol, which is used to refer to and represent other things. Secondly, the symbol is a carrier, which carries the information transmitted by both parties. It is characterized by abstraction, universality and variability.

In symbols, there are both sensory substances and spiritual meanings, which are unified and inseparable. For example, traffic lights at intersections are not intended to illuminate people, but represent a traffic rule.

The connection between this symbol and the reflected object is realized through meaning. Symbols are always meaningful symbols, and meaning is always expressed in a certain symbolic form. The construction function of symbols is to establish a connection between perceptual symbols and their meanings, and present this connection in our consciousness.

fundamental function

Communication is one of the basic functions of symbols, and the communication function of symbols endows the symbol world with strong vitality. In the semiotic sense, human communication behavior refers to the process of behavior coordination in which people use symbols to express their feelings, exchange information between people and enjoy information.

In this process, different symbols have different coding and decoding rules. Symbolic context is a specific context in which people use symbols for cognition and communication, and it mainly plays a restrictive and explanatory role in communication.

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