When kids are first taught numbers and letters, they are exposed to various pictures, such as three apples for the number 3 or an airplane for the letter A. The letters and numbers are also shown in decorative forms, multicolored and patterned to catch the attention of an impatient toddler. Then, throughout the life of a child, various signs, from the red circle with the slash in it indicating a "Do Not" signal to a happy face on a t-shirt that signifies good times, symbols are everywhere. When children are able to identify symbols easily, this ability becomes another sense and sticks with the child for the rest of his or her life.

In this issue, when we speak of symbols, we will be talking not about the deep literary meanings behind novels or industry icons (company logos), but we will be referring to the common and simple symbols, such as a heart or star. These symbols, which do not have a commercial link, can be instantly recognized by anyone who has been exposed to the open world. How and why are symbols so mainstream in society? First, remember back to history class when teachers taught of prehistoric men first inscribing pictures on their caves. Their messages were abstract drawings of events they saw or imagined. The prehistoric men kept their symbols very simple. As the ages progressed, many more complicated forms, such as alphabets and characters developed, but simple symbols still stuck around. In ancient Greece, an easy stroke that resembled an owl would signify the goddess Athena, and from her, many other meanings could be derived. The sign of the cross, which was once just another method of execution, came to be a sign of faith and hope when Christianity became a religion. Two lines, vertical and horizontal, may be responsible for the world's state today. The simplicity of symbols, which require only a tidbit of memory, allows people to recognize and use them more often, making them ubiquitous in the civilized world.

Are symbols global? Perhaps, but symbols such as the dollar sign or a peace symbol may be not as easily recognized in non-western worlds. However, signs such as a star, which anyone can see and make out from the skies, may pass the language and cultural barriers. What symbols do for humans is give alternative representations for a thing or an idea, helping humans to expand their imaginative capacity while requiring less brainwork for deciphering.

In this issue, we will take a look at the everyday symbols or the more famous ones in society. We will take a look at the 30 most recognized symbols and also explore the effects of symbols in society.