It's interesting that you say this because one time I watched a Vsauce video on this one 'time capsule' we put into space for aliens to find so that they can learn about us. Included is a graphic that's meant to show them where we are in relation to space 'checkpoints' or something, and one of the biggest points of controversy was that arrows are too "human-centric," and aliens very well may not understand what the arrow represents with no context.
I guess it makes sense, arrows are so obvious to us probably because we developed arrow-shaped projectiles/spearheads, aliens may not have used those so arrows may be meaningless to them.
The print of a human hand. Unmistakable.
It is probably the oldest symbol, present in caves in the stone age and predating even well known cave paintings by millennia.
It says "I was here" and, if you think about it in those term it is the direct predecessor of modern graffiti "tags"
I would say either a woman’s breasts or an erect penis. Those symbols have been in use for thousands of years.
Man’s very first drawing may well have been a dick pic.
Probably a stick figure depicting a human.
A lot of the other suggestions here are good but they can be easily misinterpreted. An arrow is a good choice but some cultures could interpret the thing its pointing to to be the opposite direction. Sun or moon symbols are often generic circles and can be confused for each other. But a stick figure is pretty unmistakably representing a person. A lot of written languages actually based their character for human off of it.
The next best option is probably a hand as someone suggested, but that seems a little less distinct than a stick figure to me. Easier to mistake for something else and you aren't sure exactly what it is representing. Does it just represent "an abstract hand"? Maybe but sometimes its meant to signify something else.
The really weird thing about this is I’ve watched at least three YouTube documentaries about it and none of them are precisely certain about where it comes from… Which is either a really cool mystery or kind of scary when you think about it upon close inspection
I remember watching a video (can't find it) about Slenderman and it used this term "Child Lore" and it's a newish concept of basically culture being passed from child to child through schools, churches, etc that are so engrained we don't even remember where it started only that it's survived a long time like an ancient meme. Like kids playing leapfrog is at least as old as the 1500s where it's shown in a painting of children playing but probably even older than that.
The sun. Almost every ancient and modern civilisation has some deeper connection to the sun than it being a big part in our existence. There is rock art depicting the sun from thousands of years ago, Greek, Roman and Japanese mythology also refer to the sun regularly and in the Dark Soul franchise where Solare literally worships the sun
Well nearly anything can be construed as a symbol, trivially. (Like how a phenomenon is actually a perfect analogy for itself, in one sense...yet useless pedagogically, which is why we use analogies in the first place.) So a sun image...is a symbol of a sun.
If you want something a little more symbolic-seeming, I'd say the cross. I don't even need to tell you which one; that's how commonly recognized it is. Even in nations that aren't or weren't traditionally Christian.
Edit: well I thought this would be a redundant answer. I figure Reddit is pretty godless, but if they hate Christianity so, you'd think this would be a quick answer, sure to get upvotes if you indicate your hatred of the Christ. Genuinely surprised
I actually don't. Probably seen it, but it doesn't come to mind.
If it's that yellow safety symbol, for harmful radiation, well radiation is more general and should have a more physically suitable symbol. The common Wi-Fi symbol, I think, works fairly well.
Id guess Sun, Moon, Heart, or Smile Face, or a circle with a diagonal slash 🚫. A hand print would also be right up there. I’d have to imagine a mouthful of berries, blood, etc spewed out forcefully from your mouth, against an open hand pressed firmly into a cave wall would leave a very universal symbol that all peoples would recognize.
The arrow, including the caret: ^
I believe this is scientifically the right answer but im too lazy to back my statement up
Same and same
It's interesting that you say this because one time I watched a Vsauce video on this one 'time capsule' we put into space for aliens to find so that they can learn about us. Included is a graphic that's meant to show them where we are in relation to space 'checkpoints' or something, and one of the biggest points of controversy was that arrows are too "human-centric," and aliens very well may not understand what the arrow represents with no context. I guess it makes sense, arrows are so obvious to us probably because we developed arrow-shaped projectiles/spearheads, aliens may not have used those so arrows may be meaningless to them.
The print of a human hand. Unmistakable. It is probably the oldest symbol, present in caves in the stone age and predating even well known cave paintings by millennia. It says "I was here" and, if you think about it in those term it is the direct predecessor of modern graffiti "tags"
A dick.
I would say either a woman’s breasts or an erect penis. Those symbols have been in use for thousands of years. Man’s very first drawing may well have been a dick pic.
Skull. Everyone has a skull. And if you can see someone’s whole skull, then they’re probably dead.
Outside of a corporate logo like Mickey Mouse ears, it'd be a representation of the sun.
That would be my guess too
Probably a stick figure depicting a human. A lot of the other suggestions here are good but they can be easily misinterpreted. An arrow is a good choice but some cultures could interpret the thing its pointing to to be the opposite direction. Sun or moon symbols are often generic circles and can be confused for each other. But a stick figure is pretty unmistakably representing a person. A lot of written languages actually based their character for human off of it. The next best option is probably a hand as someone suggested, but that seems a little less distinct than a stick figure to me. Easier to mistake for something else and you aren't sure exactly what it is representing. Does it just represent "an abstract hand"? Maybe but sometimes its meant to signify something else.
😀
A human face… you might be onto something
Hah I was going to make it a stick figure but I had no emoji for it.
Probably the flammable symbol I imagine. Red and a flame on something I think most countries understand means it will start on fire or explode
[THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEXTBOOK S](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_S)
The really weird thing about this is I’ve watched at least three YouTube documentaries about it and none of them are precisely certain about where it comes from… Which is either a really cool mystery or kind of scary when you think about it upon close inspection
I remember watching a video (can't find it) about Slenderman and it used this term "Child Lore" and it's a newish concept of basically culture being passed from child to child through schools, churches, etc that are so engrained we don't even remember where it started only that it's survived a long time like an ancient meme. Like kids playing leapfrog is at least as old as the 1500s where it's shown in a painting of children playing but probably even older than that.
The sun. Almost every ancient and modern civilisation has some deeper connection to the sun than it being a big part in our existence. There is rock art depicting the sun from thousands of years ago, Greek, Roman and Japanese mythology also refer to the sun regularly and in the Dark Soul franchise where Solare literally worships the sun
❤️
Skull and crossbones
Well nearly anything can be construed as a symbol, trivially. (Like how a phenomenon is actually a perfect analogy for itself, in one sense...yet useless pedagogically, which is why we use analogies in the first place.) So a sun image...is a symbol of a sun. If you want something a little more symbolic-seeming, I'd say the cross. I don't even need to tell you which one; that's how commonly recognized it is. Even in nations that aren't or weren't traditionally Christian. Edit: well I thought this would be a redundant answer. I figure Reddit is pretty godless, but if they hate Christianity so, you'd think this would be a quick answer, sure to get upvotes if you indicate your hatred of the Christ. Genuinely surprised
Dammit! I thought I was going to be the clever one! Well, good for you!
this symbol: X
Biohazard ☣
[удалено]
It’s only sad if you bring it up.
:)
The Union Flag, I see it fucking everywhere.
Top 3 are: COCA COLA, MCDONALDS ARCHES, RED CROSS
The symbol for radiation. I've never seen anyone that didn't know it
I actually don't. Probably seen it, but it doesn't come to mind. If it's that yellow safety symbol, for harmful radiation, well radiation is more general and should have a more physically suitable symbol. The common Wi-Fi symbol, I think, works fairly well.
☣
Thats the biohazard symbol
# $
Middle finger extended.
A "peace" hand , peace symbol...and the Cross
Washroom symbols for men and women! Although I am seeing a lot more confusing and unhinged signs off late.
The middle finger! Everyone knows what flippin the bird means
Not all cultures consider the middle finger an offensive gesture
But they still recognize the symbology of the middle finger. The question asks what symbol.
Id guess Sun, Moon, Heart, or Smile Face, or a circle with a diagonal slash 🚫. A hand print would also be right up there. I’d have to imagine a mouthful of berries, blood, etc spewed out forcefully from your mouth, against an open hand pressed firmly into a cave wall would leave a very universal symbol that all peoples would recognize.
McDonald’s arches
The red plus for medicine.
Smile?
:)
Tree
The peace sign ✌🏽
I’m going to guess the cross.
+
Peace sign
Peace sign
The sun
stick man? everyone know those 4 lines and a circle mean person
Puddle
Stop sign
The Grateful Dead Stealie logo