world and the main actions in life ", actually a pictorial
   dictionnary. Images are "the icons of all visible things in the world,
   to which, by appropriate means one could also reduce invisible


   IV. A Web of Icons, Indexes and Symbols

   Let us go back to Pierce’s classical classification of signs as Icons,
   Indexes and Symbols, which is very useful in understanding the


   Another example (again from Sony) will show us that such symbols for
   hypertext links tend to become icons, as if it was their only means to
   get rid of the textual tautology.


       in a very rudimentary manner, some personal emotions or personal
       facts. But they indeed become icons if the text is turned 90<
       SUP>o


       However pure iconography is not possible, as icons have to present
       themselves as such, to display their own icon-ness. A sign is not


       However pure iconography is not possible, as icons have to present
       themselves as such, to display their own icon-ness. A sign is not
       iconic until the interpreter recognizes it as such. To that


       passing upon such a link, and it becomes ... a small hand with a
       pointed index. Thus, an index is used to identify an icon as such.
       But note also that an icon (pointed finger) is then used to


       pointed index. Thus, an index is used to identify an icon as such.
       But note also that an icon (pointed finger) is then used to
       identify the index as such. As is well-known, pure iconicity is


       As in all semiotic systems, we have seen that the web is a mesh of
       icons, indexes and symbols, with each type of the trichotomy
       indeed depending on the others, even for its own definition.