Signs, Signals and Symbols: Answer Key

Overview & requirementsAnswer Key

1. Be able to define the following words and give an example:

1a. Semiotics

Semiotics is the study of signs, signals and symbols and their meanings.

1b. Signs

Signs are anything that can indicate something else. Letters and words are signs; signs along the highway communicate information to a driver; musical notes represent sounds and timing.

1c. Symbols

Symbols are signs that convey deeper, more complex meaning. Some see signals as metaphors and analogies that have different meanings to different people. Some symbols are called Icons (the symbols on your iPhone for various apps are examples).

1d. Signals

Signals are used to alert, give notice and caution. Some signals are gestures, body language, laughter, tears, facial expressions or aural emissions.

1e. Parables

Parables are stories (symbols or analogies) that compare two ideas or teach some special truth.

2. Explain how the concept of symbols, signs and signals are alike and how they differ from each other.

Symbols and signals are really types of signs. Signs and symbols are useful because they convey messages briefly, often without using words. For example, the thumbs-up gesture indicates “OK” in most cultures. Signals can be visual, gestures, lights and sounds.

3. Look up the following Bible verses and, for each, identify the symbol, sign or signal in the verse and what it represents:

3a. Genesis 8:11

Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.
— Genesis 8:11 (NKJV)

Olive leaf: evidence that the flood waters had receded from the earth.

3b. Genesis 9:13-15

13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
— Genesis 9:13-15 (NKJV)

Rainbow: representing the covenant of the Lord that, in the future, a flood will not destroy all animals and humans on the earth.

3c. Exodus 12:7-13

3d. 1 Samuel 20:32-40

3e. Psalm 23

1The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.
— Psalms 23:1-6 (NKJV)

The Lord as a shepherd and a host. Shepherd rod and staff.

3f. Matthew 13:3-9, 19

3g. Mark 15:17

3h. Luke 15:8

3i. Acts 2:20

3j. Revelation 13:2

4. What symbols are used for Pathfinder Club, AY Society or church/ministry? What are the reasons these symbols are used?

5. Signs along highways and roads communicate information. Draw or photograph two examples of each type of sign mentioned below. Create and participate in a game using these signs (matching, scavenger hunt, puzzles, etc.).

5a. Signs indicating a traffic regulation

• 

  Stop Sign

• 

  No Parking Sign

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  One Way Sign

• 

  Yield Sign

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  Slower Traffic to the Right

5b. Signs containing a cautionary message

5c. Signs containing information

6. Compile a list of signals used in your community to communicate in the following situations. Within a group, role-play two of the following situations:

6a. Signals used to perform a task (such as get in place for a drill event).

6b. Signals used between adults and young people to help accomplish a task (such as a whistle in a drill down, hand motions and gestures to set up a campsite).

6c. Signals used to communicate with someone who cannot speak or who communicates in a different language than you speak.

7. Read a parable from the Bible. Using signs, symbols or signals you have brainstormed, create a modern-day parable that communicates the same message as the Biblical parable.

References

Adapted from AY Honors/Signs, Signals and Symbols/Answer Key on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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