pictographic
Using drawn symbols
Pictographic describes writing or communication that uses pictures to represent ideas, objects, or concepts rather than abstract letters or symbols.
Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Chinese characters are partially pictographic.
The term also applies to modern visual systems: pictographic signs in airports, pictographic instructions for assembly.
A pictograph is a picture used this way.
Symbol representing entire word
- glyphVisual form of character
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- signMark conveying information
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
rebus · mnemonic · representation · signage · wayfinding · universal · recognition · meaning
Written words for performance
- syllabaryWriting using sound-units
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- emojiDigital pictograph for messaging
- kanjiChinese symbols in Japanese
hanzi · logographic · character · stroke · radical · transcription
Visual data presentation
- signpostRoadside directional guide
- internationalConcerning relations among countries
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- instructionGuidance for action
manual · airport · wayfinding · accessibility · isotype · diagram · flowchart · app
Oval framing royal hieroglyphs
- determinativeSettling a matter conclusively
- phonogramSymbol representing speech sound
- demoticOf common folk
- hieraticRelating to priests
papyrus · scribe · tomb · temple · stele · obelisk · pharaonic · ankh
Carved image on stone
- proto-writingSymbols before script
- neolithicFinal Stone Age period
- paleolithicEarliest tool-making period
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
engraving · ochre · charcoal · handprint · megalith · zoomorph · shaman · ritual
logogram
Symbol representing entire word
emblem · rebus · mnemonic · representation · signage · wayfinding · universal · recognition · meaning · graphic
script
Written words for performance
- syllabaryWriting using sound-units
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- emojiDigital pictograph for messaging
kanji · hanzi · logographic · character · stroke · radical · transcription
infographic
Visual data presentation
- signpostRoadside directional guide
- internationalConcerning relations among countries
- wordlessLacking spoken content
instruction · manual · airport · wayfinding · accessibility · isotype · diagram · flowchart · app · toolbar
cartouche
Oval framing royal hieroglyphs
- determinativeSettling a matter conclusively
- phonogramSymbol representing speech sound
- demoticOf common folk
hieratic · papyrus · scribe · tomb · temple · stele · obelisk · pharaonic · ankh · scarab
petroglyph
Carved image on stone
- proto-writingSymbols before script
- neolithicFinal Stone Age period
- paleolithicEarliest tool-making period
prehistoric · engraving · ochre · charcoal · handprint · megalith · zoomorph · shaman · ritual · stencil
pictographicphonetic
Relating to speech sounds
phonemic · alphabetic · phonographic · syllabic · logographic
pictographicabstract
Condensed version of text
symbolic · arbitrary · non-representational · schematic · conventional