• shuoning Liang，2024fall/IXDSN-3600-1，2024/9/7

One of the most popular mapping software is Google maps which has many modern images and icons. In contrast to ancient hieroglyphics, they are also forms of visual shorthand. Ancient writing, especially Sumerian cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphics, required learning complex associations and meanings associated with culture and language, since literacy was one of the privileges of the nobility.

The following images show the most popular symbols used by Google maps (you can find them elsewhere in your daily life)

Iconography in Google Maps

1. Location Pin Icon

2. Directions Icon

Comparison with Egyptian Hieroglyphics

  1. Egyptian hieroglyphics
  2. Sumerian cuneiform

Location Pin Icon vs. Egyptian Hieroglyph for “Place”

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  • Hieroglyph Appearance: The hieroglyph for “place” or “location” is often a symbol representing a location or a place, sometimes shown as a knotted rope or other
  • Different: Both icons communicate the concept of a specific location. The location pin is more modern and abstract, while the Egyptian hieroglyph uses a more direct, symbolic representation.

Directions Icon vs. Egyptian Hieroglyph for “Movement”

  • Hieroglyph Appearance: The hieroglyph for movement or direction might depict a walking figure or a symbol indicating travel.
  • different: Both icons are used to convey the idea of direction and movement. The Google Maps direction icon uses a straightforward modern metaphor (an arrow), while Egyptian hieroglyphs might use more complex symbols to represent similar concepts.

Summary

  • Both Google Maps icons and Egyptian hieroglyphs are designed to convey specific information—location and direction. Modern icons use simplified, abstract symbols that are familiar to contemporary users, while Egyptian hieroglyphs rely on more culturally and historically specific symbols. Both systems were effective in their respective eras and technologies, but they reflected different approaches to visual communication and symbolism.

Both systems are effective in their respective times and technologies, but they reflect different approaches to visual communication and symbolism.