Symbol vs. Legend — What's the Difference?

A visual or textual representation that stands for something else.

A traditional story sometimes regarded as historical but not authenticated.

Often used in religious or cultural contexts.

Helps in interpreting complex data visually.

Can be abstract or figurative.

A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions perceived or believed both by teller and listeners to have taken place within human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude.

Integral in communication, often replacing words.

An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.

Used in brands to represent corporate identities.

A body or collection of such stories.

A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences.

See urban legend.

A mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process, e.g. the letter or letters standing for a chemical element or a character in musical notation

One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame

A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract

An inscription or title on an object, such as a coin.

Symbolize.

An explanatory caption accompanying an illustration.

Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible

An explanatory table or list of the symbols appearing on a map or chart.

An instance that typifies a broader pattern or situation

An unrealistic story depicting past events.

A printed or written sign used to represent an operation, element, quantity, quality, or relation, as in mathematics or music.

A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.

(Psychology) An object or image that an individual unconsciously uses to represent repressed thoughts, feelings, or impulses

A plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain.

A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.

A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.

A thing considered the embodiment of a concept or object.

A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records.

(linguistics) A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.

A person related to a legend or legends.

A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.

A leading protagonist in a historical legend.

(crystallography) The numerical expression which defines a plane's position relative to the assumed axes.

A person with legend-like qualities, such as extraordinary accomplishment.

(obsolete) That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.

A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.

(obsolete) Share; allotment.

An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.

(programming) An internal identifier used by a debugger to relate parts of the compiled program to the corresponding names in the source code.

A musical composition set to a poetical story.

(telecommunications) A signalling event on a communications channel; a signal that cannot be further divided into meaningful information.

(naval) The design and specification of a vessel.

To symbolize.

To tell or narrate; to recount.

A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.

That which is appointed to be read; especially, a chronicle or register of the lives of saints, formerly read at matins, and in the refectories of religious houses.

Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation.

A story respecting saints; especially, one of a marvelous nature.

An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion.

Any wonderful story coming down from the past, but not verifiable by historical record; a myth; a fable.

That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.

An inscription, motto, or title, esp. one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon an heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.

Share; allotment.

To tell or narrate, as a legend.

An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element.

A story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

To symbolize.

Brief description accompanying an illustration

An arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance

In maps, a table that explains the symbols used.

Something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible;

Used in technical fields to ensure clarity.

Often a part of folk culture, teaching moral lessons.

A legend in mapping is a detailed explanation or key that defines and clarifies the symbols used on the map.

Symbols function as a compact form of communication, conveying complex ideas through simple visual or textual cues.

Legends in data visualization guide the viewer in interpreting the symbols and colors used, making complex data accessible.

Legends, while valuable culturally, are not always considered reliable historical sources as they are often not authenticated.

Symbols in literature are interpreted through context, cultural background, and the themes being explored by the author.

In branding, symbols help create a memorable and recognizable identity for companies and products.

A symbol is any mark, sign, or word that represents an idea, object, or relationship.

Yes, the meanings of symbols can evolve based on cultural shifts and changes in societal values.

Legends are crucial in technical documents to ensure that all symbols used are understood correctly, preventing misinterpretation.

While both symbols and signs convey information, symbols often have deeper, multiple meanings, whereas signs are direct and specific.

Universal symbols include signs like the "no smoking" symbol or the "recycle" logo, recognized worldwide.

In folklore, legends transmit cultural values and historical narratives, enriching a community’s cultural heritage.

Yes, depending on cultural contexts, symbols can have negative connotations or be associated with negative events.

In religious contexts, symbols are used to represent spiritual truths, deities, and religious stories.

A good map legend is clear, concise, and helps the user accurately interpret the symbols and scales used in the map.