LoginSign vs. Symbol
What Is Their Main Difference?
Both refer to interpreting something that has been said indirectly. However, a 'sign' is mainly an object, a thing, etc. that contains one meaning that is usually obligatory for the people of a community to abide by, whereas, a 'symbol' is usually cultural. A 'symbol' can have several various interpretations.
Differences
A 'sign' is an object containing a particular picture with meaning. It indirectly tells a community what to do and what not to do. It is mainly objective. Look at the examples below:
The sign read: 'STOP.'
I don't see any signs on the side of the road.
A 'symbol', however, refers to things, words, etc. that represent another concept other than their literal ones. It is very much influenced culturally. It is specific to a certain group of people. Check out the following examples:
In some cultures, white is especially the symbol of death.
A literature student usually searches for symbolic meaning in texts.
Similarities
We can say that in both, one must find the implicit meaning. Look at the examples below:
Can you tell me what this sign means?
What do you think the repetition of the word spider is a symbol of something in this poem?
Are They Interchangeable?
These two words can never be used interchangeably because a 'sign' is a physical object portraying a particular, usually obligatory rule, whereas, a word, a fruit, an animal, or anything can be a 'symbol' of a concept. Compare:
✓ I stopped the car when I saw the sign in the middle of the road.
X I stopped the car when I saw the symbol in the middle of the road.
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