pictograph

A pictograph is a pictorial symbol that conveys meaning through its visual resemblance to a physical object, person, action, or idea. Pictographs are an ancient and widespread form of symbolic communication and have served as basic units in some writing systems, as well as standalone signs in various contexts.

In archaeology and linguistics, pictographs appear in early writing systems such as Egyptian hieroglyphs, Mesopotamian proto-cuneiform, and the Chinese oracle bone script. Over time, many pictographs were organized into ideograms or logograms, and some signs acquired phonetic values, enabling the development of more complex writing.

Cave paintings and rock engravings also use pictorial representation, but they are not necessarily writing systems. They can record events, rituals, or beliefs, and their interpretation often depends on archaeological context and interpretation.

In modern use, pictographs appear in signage, public information symbols, and graphic design because they can transcend language barriers. Digital pictographs, such as emoji and icons, are contemporary descendants of traditional pictographic practice and continue to evolve with technology and culture.

See also: pictographic writing, ideogram, logogram, hieroglyph, emoji.