The text stated that the difference between a symbol and a
sign is that a symbol there is a likeness, either a metaphoric or metonymic,
between the thing signified and its meaning; signs do not need such likeness.
Also, symbols are open, their meaning is not concrete, and new meaning may be
added by collective order to old symbol vehicles. Furthermore, individuals may
add personal meaning to a symbol’s public meaning, and bring new concepts to
its domain. Signs are organized into closed systems; they imply set meaning
which cannot be openly interpreted to the beholder. After I had read this in
the book I immediately remembered a contradiction of this concept from class.
Atop the Scottish mountain laid an interstate sign, this sign had deeper
meaning and was used as a symbol for someone at the top of the mountain. The
interstate sign, by definition was still a sign, but carried on the function of
a symbol.
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