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Pictogram Collection (#2)

"Pictogram: Unveiling the Universal Language of Symbols" From ancient cave paintings to modern-day flags

Background imagePictogram Collection: Maya Rain God (engraving)

Maya Rain God (engraving)
980541 Maya Rain God (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Maya Rain God)

Background imagePictogram Collection: An Ogalala Roster - (colour litho)

An Ogalala Roster - (colour litho)
980472 An Ogalala Roster - (colour litho) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Iron-Crow and Band)

Background imagePictogram Collection: An Ogalala Roster - The-Bear-Spares-Him and Band (colour litho)

An Ogalala Roster - The-Bear-Spares-Him and Band (colour litho)
980469 An Ogalala Roster - The-Bear-Spares-Him and Band (colour litho) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The-Bear-Spares-Him and Band)

Background imagePictogram Collection: Pictographs in Santa Barbara County, California (colour litho)

Pictographs in Santa Barbara County, California (colour litho)
980456 Pictographs in Santa Barbara County, California (colour litho) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pictographs in Santa Barbara County, California)

Background imagePictogram Collection: Native American inscriptions on a rock on Lake Erie, from

Native American inscriptions on a rock on Lake Erie, from
TRV228846 Native American inscriptions on a rock on Lake Erie, from Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States by Schoolcraft

Background imagePictogram Collection: Facsimile copy of Codex Mexicanus of Vienna (vellum)

Facsimile copy of Codex Mexicanus of Vienna (vellum)
JPC217599 Facsimile copy of Codex Mexicanus of Vienna (vellum) by Pre-Columbian; Private Collection; (add.info.: glyphs of days and gods; ); South American, out of copyright

Background imagePictogram Collection: Facsimile copy of codex Borbonicus, detail depicting Tlazolteotl and Tezcatlipoca (vellum

Facsimile copy of codex Borbonicus, detail depicting Tlazolteotl and Tezcatlipoca (vellum
JPC217596 Facsimile copy of codex Borbonicus, detail depicting Tlazolteotl and Tezcatlipoca (vellum) by Aztec; Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePictogram Collection: Pictogram letter (pen, ink & w / c on paper)

Pictogram letter (pen, ink & w / c on paper)
3060401 Pictogram letter (pen, ink & w/c on paper) by Bunbury, Henry William (1750-1811); 24.1x39.4 cm; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Background imagePictogram Collection: The Dragon Symbolising the Sun (colour litho)

The Dragon Symbolising the Sun (colour litho)
CHT176864 The Dragon Symbolising the Sun (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; eArchives Charmet; French, out of copyright

Background imagePictogram Collection: Haida double thunderbird (colour litho)

Haida double thunderbird (colour litho)
980713 Haida double thunderbird (colour litho) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Haida double thunderbird)

Background imagePictogram Collection: An Ogalala Roster - Little-Hawk and Band (colour litho)

An Ogalala Roster - Little-Hawk and Band (colour litho)
980473 An Ogalala Roster - Little-Hawk and Band (colour litho) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: An Ogalala Roster - Little-Hawk and Band)

Background imagePictogram Collection: The Berlin Codex: Land Disputes between the Spanish and Indians

The Berlin Codex: Land Disputes between the Spanish and Indians
JPC207584 The Berlin Codex: Land Disputes between the Spanish and Indians, facsimile (ink on parchment) by Spanish Colonial (16th century) (after); Private Collection; Spanish, out of copyright

Background imagePictogram Collection: Two seals depicting mythological animals, from Mohenjo-Daro, c. 2300 BC (stone)

Two seals depicting mythological animals, from Mohenjo-Daro, c. 2300 BC (stone)
EAM157935 Two seals depicting mythological animals, from Mohenjo-Daro, c.2300 BC (stone) by Harappan; National Museum of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan; Pakistani, out of copyright

Background imagePictogram Collection: Stela dedicated to Isis by the overseer of works in the Temples of Ramesses II at Koptos

Stela dedicated to Isis by the overseer of works in the Temples of Ramesses II at Koptos
AMQ182799 Stela dedicated to Isis by the overseer of works in the Temples of Ramesses II at Koptos, depicting the King offering incense to the sacred boat of Isis

Background imagePictogram Collection: Copy of a fragment of a Mayan manuscript depicting astronomical tables with the eclipses

Copy of a fragment of a Mayan manuscript depicting astronomical tables with the eclipses
XIR182409 Copy of a fragment of a Mayan manuscript depicting astronomical tables with the eclipses (litho) (b/w photo) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; French

Background imagePictogram Collection: Seal depicting a mythological animal and pictographic symbols, from Mohenjo-Daro

Seal depicting a mythological animal and pictographic symbols, from Mohenjo-Daro
EAM176734 Seal depicting a mythological animal and pictographic symbols, from Mohenjo-Daro, Indus Valley, Pakistan, 3000-1500 BC (stone) by Harappan; National Museum of Karachi, Karachi

Background imagePictogram Collection: Aztec Codex Borbonicus, Tonalamatl, detail depicting the goddess Mayahuel

Aztec Codex Borbonicus, Tonalamatl, detail depicting the goddess Mayahuel
CHT176642 Aztec Codex Borbonicus, Tonalamatl, detail depicting the goddess Mayahuel seated on an agave plant (vellum) by Pre-Columbian; 39x40 cm; Bibliotheque de l Assemblee Nationale, Paris

Background imagePictogram Collection: Kaizheosh and his band from Lake Vieu Desert, Michegan and Wisconsin

Kaizheosh and his band from Lake Vieu Desert, Michegan and Wisconsin
TRV173938 Kaizheosh and his band from Lake Vieu Desert, Michegan and Wisconsin, from Information Respecting the History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States by Henry R

Background imagePictogram Collection: Haida Dog-fish (colour litho)

Haida Dog-fish (colour litho)
980714 Haida Dog-fish (colour litho) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Haida Dog-fish)

Background imagePictogram Collection: Lone Dogs Winter Count (colour litho)

Lone Dogs Winter Count (colour litho)
980708 Lone Dogs Winter Count (colour litho) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lone Dogs Winter Count)

Background imagePictogram Collection: Maya War God (engraving)

Maya War God (engraving)
980540 Maya War God (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Maya War God. Illustration from Studies in Central American Picture-Writing by Edwards)

Background imagePictogram Collection: Rock-painting, Tule River, California (engraving)

Rock-painting, Tule River, California (engraving)
980476 Rock-painting, Tule River, California (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rock-painting, Tule River, California)

Background imagePictogram Collection: Official national flag of Mauritania

Official national flag of Mauritania
african, graphic, nationality, official, pictogram, symbolic, west afr, Flags of the World, 989176014

Background imagePictogram Collection: Official national flag of Cyprus

Official national flag of Cyprus
cypriot, cyprus, graphic, nationality, official, pictogram, symbolic, Flags of the World, 989174300

Background imagePictogram Collection: Official national flag of Cabo Verde

Official national flag of Cabo Verde
african, cabo verde, graphic, nationality, official, pictogram, symbol, Flags of the World, 989174296

Background imagePictogram Collection: Official national flag of Burkina Faso

Official national flag of Burkina Faso
african, graphic, nationality, official, pictogram, symbolic, west afr, Flags of the World, 989174254

Background imagePictogram Collection: Official national flag of Barbados

Official national flag of Barbados
graphic, nationality, official, pictogram, symbolic, windward islands, Flags of the World, 989173838

Background imagePictogram Collection: Multi-part story in the Native American Pictograph Tradition

Multi-part story in the Native American Pictograph Tradition, printed on shaped cards to resemble the hides on which the original stories were painted

Background imagePictogram Collection: Sheet of Pictographs, c1480 (1945). Artist: Leonardo da Vinci

Sheet of Pictographs, c1480 (1945). Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Sheet of Pictographs, c1480 (1945). From The Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. [Reynal & Hitchcock, New York, 1945]

Background imagePictogram Collection: Road sign warning of mine shafts, Coober Pedy, South Australia, Australia

Road sign warning of mine shafts, Coober Pedy, South Australia, Australia

Background imagePictogram Collection: Warning sign, koala, wombat, kangaroo, Victoria, Australia

Warning sign, koala, wombat, kangaroo, Victoria, Australia

Background imagePictogram Collection: Spanish lottery game

Spanish lottery game for children, Neuva Loteria De Los Globos (Juego para les ninos.) Num. 57. Made up of 52 small pictograms of various fanciful balloon designs. 1867

Background imagePictogram Collection: Cuneiform script

Cuneiform script. Diagram showing the development of pictographs into stylised Cuneiform characters. Cuneiform, the first written language

Background imagePictogram Collection: Phonetic Egyptian hieroglyphs

Phonetic Egyptian hieroglyphs. Hieroglyphs were written characters used by the Ancient Egyptians between around 3000 BC and 300 AD. They were used mainly for inscriptions on monuments and tombs

Background imagePictogram Collection: Comic pictogram verse on a greetings card

Comic pictogram verse on a greetings card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePictogram Collection: Comic pictogram on a Christmas and New Year card

Comic pictogram on a Christmas and New Year card
Comic pictogram with a puzzle about family relationships on a Christmas and New Year card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePictogram Collection: Pictogram with comic verse on a Christmas card

Pictogram with comic verse on a Christmas card
Pictogram (The Times newspaper, a button, a joint of mutton) with comic verse on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePictogram Collection: Wax, glue, gum and dye with comic verse on a greetings card

Wax, glue, gum and dye with comic verse on a greetings card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePictogram Collection: Devil with comic verse on a Christmas card

Devil with comic verse on a Christmas card
Devil, newspaper and stamp with comic verse on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePictogram Collection: Comic pictogram on a Christmas card

Comic pictogram on a Christmas card
Comic pictogram (harness, bit and stirrup) on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePictogram Collection: Comic pictogram on a Christmas and New Year card

Comic pictogram on a Christmas and New Year card. Date: circa 1890s

Background imagePictogram Collection: Neo-Hittite hieroglyphic Inscription from Carchemish, Syria

Neo-Hittite hieroglyphic Inscription from Carchemish, Syria
Hieroglyphic inscription, Neo-Hittite, c9th century BC. A large relief carving on a basalt slab found near Aleppo, Syria - the Carchemish (Karkemish) site

Background imagePictogram Collection: Tome 3 f. 118, Teaching the Reading of Manuscripts, from Teatro de la Nueva Espana

Tome 3 f. 118, Teaching the Reading of Manuscripts, from Teatro de la Nueva Espana
XIR177165 Tome 3 f.118, Teaching the Reading of Manuscripts, from Teatro de la Nueva Espana, late 18th century (w/c on paper) by Panes y Avellan

Background imagePictogram Collection: Moose warning sign, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

Moose warning sign, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

Background imagePictogram Collection: Prehistoric rock drawings in the Tadrart Valley, Akakus Mountains, Libyan Desert, Libya, Sahara

Prehistoric rock drawings in the Tadrart Valley, Akakus Mountains, Libyan Desert, Libya, Sahara, North Africa, Africa




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"Pictogram: Unveiling the Universal Language of Symbols" From ancient cave paintings to modern-day flags, pictograms have been a powerful tool for communication throughout history. Take a journey through time as we explore the diverse and fascinating world of pictograms. Step into the Lascaux II cave painting replica C013 / 7378, where our ancestors left behind intricate drawings that tell stories of their lives. These primitive yet captivating images offer us a glimpse into their rich cultural heritage. In today's fast-paced world, warning signs play a crucial role in keeping us safe. The rail traffic sign serves as a reminder to be cautious and aware of our surroundings, emphasizing the importance of clear visual communication. Traveling further across continents, we encounter the winter count on buffalo robe (colour litho), an extraordinary Native American Indian picture writing system. Each symbol represents significant events or years, preserving their history for generations to come. Flags proudly wave high above nations, representing their identity and values. From the official national flag of the Holy See in Vatican City to Brunei Darussalam, Palau, and Monaco – these vibrant symbols embody unity and patriotism. But pictograms aren't limited to historical artifacts or national emblems; they can also bring joy and laughter. A comic pictogram verse on a greetings card or a Christmas and New Year card adds humor while conveying heartfelt messages with just one cleverly crafted image. As technology advanced during Victorian times, magic lantern slides became popular entertainment tools. Among them were picture puzzle slides that challenged viewers' minds while providing amusement—a testament to how pictures can engage both young and old alike. Pictograms transcend language barriers by speaking directly to our visual senses—an international language understood by all cultures. They remind us that sometimes words are not necessary when symbols can convey meaning effortlessly.