2. Black crow
• Denotation: A black bird with sharp claws and a black pointy beak.
• Connotation: A black crow connotes negativity. A black crow symbolises a
warning of when something bad is going to happen. In some cultures, a
black crow symbolises death. The black crow is also believed as a sign of bad
luck. The colour black is associated with evil, darkness and mystery. The
colour black is a mysterious colour that is associated with fear and the
unknown.
3. Recycling
• Denotation: Three green chasing arrows that form a Mobius
strip.
• Connotation: This recycling symbol is shown in a universal form
because of the way the arrows are continuous. This symbol is
used to designate recyclable materials. The colour green
directly symbolises nature, growth, freshness, and fertility.
4. Skull
• Denotation: A human skull with two crossbones
behind in an X shape with a red background.
• Connotation: A skull with crossbones has a symbolic
meaning of death and mortality. Another
connotation of a skull with crossbones is that this
symbol is commonly known to be used by pirates.
Pirates use this particular image to connote that
they were dangerous. In their own words a skull
was called a ‘deaths head’. The colour dark red
connotes blood and death. The colour red is also
associated with danger, anger, rage, war and power.
Furthermore, in association with science, a skull with
crossbones is a symbol that instructs from touching a
liquid/substance that is harmful.
