Modern Hieroglyphs

Modern Hieroglyphs

We see modern hieroglyphs everyday. The most common ones are the symbols seen on bathroom doors. There is a symbol that's the basic shape of a man and a symbol that is the basic shape of a women. We are exposed to these symbols throughout our whole lives and that is what gives us the ability to discern what they mean.



Symbol Signs

This pictures has many different signs that use modern hieroglyphs. The symbol used for a man is often used for other instructions. Like in the "Out" sign. The symbol for a man doesn't mean that only a man is allowed to exit. Because we have been exposed to these symbols for such a long time, we already know that the symbol for 'man' can have different meanings depending on what it is trying to represent.





Safe Baby Handling Tips//David and Kelly Sopp//2005

Modern symbols can be used to give instructions without words. Like in this example, instead of writing out that you shouldn't bury your baby with the groceries, it shows a picture of a baby buried in groceries with the word "don't" above it. Modern hieroglyphs/symbols allow us to express words, meanings, instructions, etc. with only pictures.