NationStates Jolt Archive


The most recognised symbol

Patra Caesar
03-03-2005, 05:41
We've been studying a bit of non-verbal communication and I was just wondering what symbol you thought the most recognisable worldwide? The golden arches of McDonalds? The contour bottle of coke? The hammer and sickkle of the USSR? The cross of Christianity? The Star of David? The Islamic moon thingy (excuse my ignorance)? Red cross? Intel? Microsoft? A stop sign? A danger sign? An eagle? The American flag? Union Jack?

Post the symbol you think is most famous world wide and what it personally means to you please. :cool:
Patra Caesar
03-03-2005, 05:42
Is it a letter? A number? A word? I'm interested now, against my better judgement.
The Phoenix Milita
03-03-2005, 05:44
Last time they did a global survey it was indeed the golden arches of good ole McDonalds :D

of course with all surveys there is a big margin of error....
Colodia
03-03-2005, 05:46
I would've said the "middle-finger," but I think it's only an American thing.
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 05:47
Is it a letter? A number? A word? I'm interested now, against my better judgement.
Its tge golden Arches.

Ive been off that shit for 2 years now and only once had it in 4. ;)

I think the Hammer and Sickle should be banned on NS.
Coke has nothing on me been off that longer than MC'Greekos
Pepsi is crap too.
The cross is obviously recognisable.
Ive got a funny joke bout it. ;)
Monkeypimp
03-03-2005, 05:48
I would've said the "middle-finger," but I think it's only an American thing.

2 middle fingers is a symbol for brothers and sisters in some parts. Most insulting gestures are quite localised.
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 05:48
I would've said the "middle-finger," but I think it's only an American thing.
Two is better 1 is just sick Pedophile.LOL
Go Archers!!!
Colodia
03-03-2005, 05:49
The American flag, anyone?
Armandian Cheese
03-03-2005, 05:50
I would say...the number 1.
Evil Arch Conservative
03-03-2005, 05:50
I would have thought it would have been any of the international road signs. The only place that would have citizens not familier with them would be... the United States.
Smelly Scheisse
03-03-2005, 05:51
I would have thought the swastika would have been....
Holmesestad
03-03-2005, 05:53
i would hafta say the 2 finger peace sign....seems like i see that anytime i look at cnn or msnbc and they show crowds of ppl and with all of the recent war issues and such...there is always one person showing that symbol...
Monkeypimp
03-03-2005, 05:53
I would have thought the swastika would have been....

It's recognised as different things around the world though.
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 05:53
I would have thought the swastika would have been....
Yeah but hen youd have to argue with me on why its not a bad symbol and Stalin is worse than Hitler-Just thou. ;)

And noone wants that. :p
Lunatic Goofballs
03-03-2005, 05:55
http://www.wantasign.com/contents/media/l_NO%20BS.JPG
Patra Caesar
03-03-2005, 05:57
http://www.wantasign.com/contents/media/l_NO%20BS.JPG
Now that's just bullshit!:p
Sumamba Buwhan
03-03-2005, 05:58
i dont care what culture you are from you will always recognize a phallic symbol
Valicortian
03-03-2005, 06:06
In all humans, and humans only, a smile is recognized as happiness. As is the face for pain.
But in animals, a smile is a sign of aggression. Odd, no?
Gnostikos
03-03-2005, 06:39
of course with all surveys there is a big margin of error....
No, it is determined by the size of the sample and the total population. Granted, there's always the possibility that it is completely off, but, mathematically speaking, the margin of error (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margin_of_error) is not typically very large with a decent sized sample.
The Plutonian Empire
03-03-2005, 06:41
I'd say that the most recognized symbol is actually two symbols:

The symbol for the male gender, and the symbol for the female gender.
Kanabia
03-03-2005, 08:23
This one, probably.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/theferaleye/117sp.jpg

Well, it's non verbal communication, innit? :D
[NS]Ein Deutscher
03-03-2005, 08:38
It's definitely not the Mc Donald's symbol. Mc Donald's is present in mid-size to large cities only and there are plenty countries with populations living in rather rural areas. Heck, before the German reunification, I didn't know that Mc Donald's exists (I was born in the GDR). Thus I highly doubt that Mc Donald's is the most recognized symbol worldwide.

In fact, I doubt that anything coming from America is the most recognized thing in the world. However, in their perfectly self-centered world view, yet again, we get to see how things are perceived by Americans. That is, if this "survey" was conducted by Americans, which I guess is the case. :rolleyes:
Yammo
03-03-2005, 08:51
I would say the Coca-Cola symbol.

It's sold pretty much everywhere.
Pracus
03-03-2005, 08:55
I would've thought the Red Cross and Crescent . . . but the others mostly sound good to me too.
Intellocracy
03-03-2005, 09:01
The big yellow Smiley face.
Dowhatyoulikes
03-03-2005, 09:13
Has to be the red cross. Known in parts of the third world where the corporate pig dogs such as Mcdonalds have not yet invaded.
Sdaeriji
03-03-2005, 09:14
Probably one of my great country's all-pervasive corporate symbols, like Coca-Cola, McDonalds, or Microsoft.
Kellarly
03-03-2005, 09:22
I would have thought the swastika would have been....

Well considering they (the NSDAP)) got the symbol wrong and it actually faces the other way round, they made a pretty good job of messing it up! :rolleyes: IIRC it comes from an old Indian (as in Asia and not Native American) symbol...



Oh and most recognised symbol... apparently its the Olympic rings, along with Coca Cola and the abomination to food that is Mac Donalds...
Bleezdale
03-03-2005, 09:29
I might have to say a skull. I mean, anyone sees a sign with a skull they're gonna think - "OK, going there? Maybe not such a good idea"
Lil Bush
03-03-2005, 09:40
Hmmm...perhaps yinyang?

**edit**or perhaps a stylized arrow?
The Black Forrest
03-03-2005, 09:42
Has to be the red cross. Known in parts of the third world where the corporate pig dogs such as Mcdonalds have not yet invaded.

Actually there is the Red Cresent society in many countries.

As to McD? They are just about everywhere.
The Black Forrest
03-03-2005, 09:43
We've been studying a bit of non-verbal communication

How about a white flag? Is there anybody that doesn't know what it means?
Lil Bush
03-03-2005, 09:45
How about a white flag? Is there anybody that doesn't know what it means?

Apparently not Martians. :p

**edit**BTW, that's a reference to "War of the Worlds"...OH, NVM :D
Dzanis
03-03-2005, 09:47
depends what you define worldwide: most territory, most people, or most rich countries.

If it is the first two, then it is:

red cross
and
sickle and hammer.

Your McD and Coke are not recognized in significant part of Africa, in 2/3 of Russia (in territorial sense), and in poorer part of China.

While sickle and hammer are national symbols for 50 years in the largest country of the world by territory and in the largest by population. In meantime its recognized in Europe and probably in North America.
Kellarly
03-03-2005, 09:48
How about a white flag? Is there anybody that doesn't know what it means?

Well I am sure the French can teach them if they don't.
Funky Beat
03-03-2005, 09:53
The wheel (circle). Just a wild, uneducated guess...
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 09:53
I'd say that the most recognized symbol is actually two symbols:

The symbol for the male gender, and the symbol for the female gender.
I disagree i dont know the difference. :p LOL
Aeruillin
03-03-2005, 09:56
I would've said the "middle-finger," but I think it's only an American thing.

Untrue - It's here as well. I didn't even know you had that in America too until a few months ago. :P

That said, I'm sure that no shape with any specific meaning qualifies. It'd rather be a more basic symbol, like a line, a circle, a square, etc.
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 09:59
Well considering they (the NSDAP)) got the symbol wrong and it actually faces the other way round, they made a pretty good job of messing it up! :rolleyes: IIRC it comes from an old Indian (as in Asia and not Native American) symbol...


Love,Life,Luck,Light=4 Arms.
Amer-Indians used it!
Punjab Indians used it!
Aryan the Hitlerities knew full well where it came from.
Barbarossa had it on his Armour.
WWI American Fighter Pilot had it on his Plane.
U.S.41st Div in WWI had it as their emblem(That or the 44th ;) ).
:)
The Almighty Reavley
03-03-2005, 10:00
swastika? or is that just a europe thing? skull & cross bones? think of all the mine fields all over the world...
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 10:01
Untrue - It's here as well. I didn't even know you had that in America too until a few months ago. :P
Ha HA HA
So hows Charlamagne's Capital these days. ;) :p
Lil Bush
03-03-2005, 10:01
<snip>....
U.S.41st Div in WWI had it as their emblem(That or the 44th ;) ).
:)

It was the 45th Infantry. Lots of Oklahomans were a part of that so... :)

**edit**They used the thunderbird (basically a falcon or a hawk) too and Hitler ALSO stole that.
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 10:02
swastika? or is that just a europe thing? skull & cross bones? think of all the mine fields all over the world...
TotenKopf???
Aeruillin
03-03-2005, 10:02
Ha HA HA
So hows Charlamagne's Capital these days. ;) :p

It's a nice place. :) But it rains too often. And right now, it's freaking cold...
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 10:03
It was the 45th Infantry. Lots of Oklahomans were a part of that so... :)
Thanks sorry i got it wrong Damn Amer-NAzi's. ;)
well 41+44-40=45 so :p
Lil Bush
03-03-2005, 10:04
Lol

BTW, guess I should have mentioned I'm from Oklahoma. Need to go into my profile one of these days and change that. I need to go to sleep......NAW! I'm having too good a time. :D
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 10:04
It's a nice place. :) But it rains too often. And right now, it's freaking cold...
Yeah Winter Aye!
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 10:07
Your McD and Coke are not recognized in significant part of Africa, in 2/3 of Russia (in territorial sense), and in poorer part of China.

Have you not seen the Gods Must be Crazy? :p
Iye yie yie!
Kellarly
03-03-2005, 10:16
Love,Life,Luck,Light=4 Arms.
Amer-Indians used it!
Punjab Indians used it!
Aryan the Hitlerities knew full well where it came from.
Barbarossa had it on his Armour.
WWI American Fighter Pilot had it on his Plane.
U.S.41st Div in WWI had it as their emblem(That or the 44th ;) ).
:)

Thats the one, they still put the arms facing the wrong way though...muppets
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 10:41
Thats the one, they still put the arms facing the wrong way though...muppets
Yeah look out for those Buddhists too who knows what they have under there robes. :eek:
Kellarly
03-03-2005, 10:43
Yeah look out for those Buddhists too who knows what they have under there robes. :eek:

*Shudders*

*Thinks again*

More robes? :D
Patra Caesar
03-03-2005, 10:46
What about the man/woman signs on toilets? Or the peace sign? We have the middle finger salute here in Oz too.
Harlesburg
03-03-2005, 10:52
What about the man/woman signs on toilets? Or the peace sign? We have the middle finger salute here in Oz too.
The cripple signs on Toilets?
Disabled PArking?
Lil Bush
03-03-2005, 11:16
I still think a stylized arrow(like this <== ) would be pretty universal. No matter what language you speak or what culture you're from, if you see something that has that on it, you've got to be pretty dumb not to understand that whichever direction the arrow is pointing means that whatever point they're trying to get across is "that way".
Densim
03-03-2005, 11:32
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/marss/ateam34.jpg
See u Jimmy
03-03-2005, 11:43
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/marss/ateam34.jpg

Bad fashion ahead?
The Almighty Reavley
03-03-2005, 12:47
TotenKopf???
Yeah, the jolly roger. millions of mines ergo quite a few signs...?
Kanabia
03-03-2005, 12:58
I still think a stylized arrow(like this <== ) would be pretty universal. No matter what language you speak or what culture you're from, if you see something that has that on it, you've got to be pretty dumb not to understand that whichever direction the arrow is pointing means that whatever point they're trying to get across is "that way".

Good point.
Nova Castlemilk
03-03-2005, 13:27
I would've said the "middle-finger," but I think it's only an American thing.
In Britain it's 2 fingers in a V sign. To be really effective you gesticulate rapidly up and down
Nova Castlemilk
03-03-2005, 13:31
Ein Deutscher']It's definitely not the Mc Donald's symbol. Mc Donald's is present in mid-size to large cities only and there are plenty countries with populations living in rather rural areas. Heck, before the German reunification, I didn't know that Mc Donald's exists (I was born in the GDR). Thus I highly doubt that Mc Donald's is the most recognized symbol worldwide.

In fact, I doubt that anything coming from America is the most recognized thing in the world. However, in their perfectly self-centered world view, yet again, we get to see how things are perceived by Americans. That is, if this "survey" was conducted by Americans, which I guess is the case. :rolleyes:I agree.
As for the most universal symbol, I think it has to be the smiley face.
Kanabia
03-03-2005, 13:32
In Britain it's 2 fingers in a V sign. To be really effective you gesticulate rapidly up and down

That's why Australia is better. We have both. :D
Haken Rider
03-03-2005, 19:57
There had been an enquete already about this issue. I red it in a paper. The only thing I remember about it is that "apple" logo came up high.
Sumamba Buwhan
03-03-2005, 20:09
i still maintain that a phallic symbol would be recognized anywhere you go on earth
Eutrusca
03-03-2005, 20:12
We've been studying a bit of non-verbal communication and I was just wondering what symbol you thought the most recognisable worldwide? The golden arches of McDonalds? The contour bottle of coke? The hammer and sickkle of the USSR? The cross of Christianity? The Star of David? The Islamic moon thingy (excuse my ignorance)? Red cross? Intel? Microsoft? A stop sign? A danger sign? An eagle? The American flag? Union Jack?

Post the symbol you think is most famous world wide and what it personally means to you please. :cool:
Obviously I have no stats to back this up, but I suspect that the most universally recognized symbol is the cross, specifically the red cross used, appropriately, by the Red Cross Association.
Jamil
03-03-2005, 20:26
The Nazi sign?
Umphart
03-03-2005, 22:34
Originally posted byJamil
The Nazi sign?

That's highly unlikely.
Naturality
03-03-2005, 22:47
In Britain it's 2 fingers in a V sign. To be really effective you gesticulate rapidly up and down


Cool, I'll remember that if I ever come over :p
Perkeleenmaa
04-03-2005, 04:12
It has to be the arrow. As a picture, it means the weapon, but the concept of "arrow" expresses such ideas as "direction" and "going to the right place" (as you're always trying to hit something when you fire an arrow). There's no way to imagine a situation, where someone was in a foreign country, and wouldn't follow an arrow.

Of modern symbols, I'd suggest the triangle. Its meaning is "attention, danger".

Or then, it's something that imitates the shape of buttocks like the "heart". (A real heart has isn't of that shape.)
Neo-Anarchists
04-03-2005, 04:14
Or then, it's something that imitates the shape of buttocks like the "heart". (A real heart has isn't of that shape.)
Aww, damn, that's no fun.

Wait, are you sure?
I think I'll go rip open someone's chest just to be positive about this here.
:p
Harlesburg
04-03-2005, 09:57
Yeah, the jolly roger. millions of mines ergo quite a few signs...?
I was actually thinking SS but yes
'Perigo Minos'
South Osettia
04-03-2005, 10:54
I think it would be a mathematical symbol of some kind, perhaps '+' or '='.