Our society today is filled with all kinds of symbolic icons, from smiley faces to even the dark satanic signs, anything, an individual, group, belief, or imagination can be captured by the stroke of a few curves and lines with optional color. We selected what we thought would the fifteen most easily recognized symbols to most people living in America. Do you agree with our choices?

1) The Dollar Sign - as the monetary unit for the United States, this symbol has most meaning in this nation, though recognized in other countries as well. The dollar sign may signify ambition, wealth, or good fortune. Greed and avarice are also represented by this "S" with its line going through, whose origin is unknown (perhaps linked to the Spanish coin peso which it was modeled after).

2) The Question Mark - perhaps the most animated punctuation, the question mark may represent many things. It functions normally as the punctuation that raises a question, not only in English, but many other languages in the world, and it may show confusion, an unknown variable, or a mystery.

3) The Smiley Face - an icon of the 1970s in the US, this simple bright circle that represents a smile has resurfaced again with the growth of the Internet. The smiley face now comes in the form of : ) and other keystrokes, but they all represent what a human smile may represent in happiness and joy.

4) The Heart - one of the most vital organs in the human body has, over the years, come to represent a huge range of meanings. The heart is most popular for its representation of love. When used in literature, the heart is more than just a blood-pumping muscle, but something that allows humans to make decisions ("follow your heart") or express an emotion ("my heart is broken").

5) The Peace Symbol - it resembles the logo of a luxury car, but when it was created to protest the Vietnam War in the 70s, the peace symbol portrayed a dream for the world. That dream was a world without war where everyone would be able to get along and live happily. The peace symbol embodies an almost utopian sense. The symbol is still popular today, though wars still rage on in different parts of the world.

6) Yin and Yang - an ancient symbol that originated in China about 600 BC, this symbol portrays the universe as two opposites. The Yin (black) and the Yang (white) is the Western equivalent to the meaning of God. Though not as personal as the Western God, this symbol shows the ultimate concept of the world, showing both good and evil, hot and cold, male and female, and any other distinct opposites that must coexist.

7) The Cross - used in ancient Rome as a tool for execution, the cross was later used by followers of Jesus Christ as a rallying symbol to gain support. The symbol soon transformed to represent the sacrifice of Christ's life for the world. Those who claim to "believe in the Holy Cross" are Christians who glorify Christ's death. The cross can represent faith, hope, and glory.

8) The Star - a simple depiction of the bright gases burning billions of miles away, the star has come to represent dreams, perhaps from scientists who wished to know more about them. The star also can mean fame because stars are above and beyond, sort of like someone famous to the ordinary crowd. Stars have also come to represent something valuable, probably because of its brightness in the dark skies at night. "You're my star" is something a boy might tell his girlfriend to make her feel special.

9) Jolly Roger - often found on sides of poisonous products, this skull and crossbone symbol originated from the pirates of Europe in the 1500s. The Jolly Roger was a flag design for pirates who would go around and rob trading ships. Other pirate activities, such as attacks on towns and taking in prisoners, gave the Jolly Roger an evil and deadly meaning. Today, the Jolly Roger often signals death. Poisonous gas tanks, bombs, and other destructive/deadly material carry this symbol.

10) Number One - if there is a label that gives anything a feeling of superiorty, it is the number one. Professional athletes live to achieve the goal of being number one, students in schools stay up studying to be ranked number one, and companies rally to push their market share to number one. Wherever there is competition, the number one exists. It declares that something or someone is the best in their field and second to none.

11) X - symbols are not known for their versatility, but if there is a flexible symbol, it is X. Two lines slanted and crossing over each other, this symbol can mean almost anything. In math, X is the most popular variable, a substitute for the "unknown." It's also the symbol for multiplication. For treasure seekers, X marks the spot where the goods are buried. A student will dread the X's on his or her test because that means the answer was wrong. Take three X's and it's something you shouldn't be looking at if you are a minor. A guy named Malcom, a civil rights leader, used X in his last name. And by the way, did we mention that X is a letter of the alphabet? You can spell xylophone.

12) Swastika - right off, anyone would see this symbol as the evil symbol of the Nazi party, but the Swastika is an ancient symbol often used as an ornament or religious sign. They were widely used by Native Americans, Asia, and even parts of Europe before World War II. The symbol went bad after it was adopted by the National Socialist Party of Germany. The symbol was turned clockwise 45 degrees to represent the Nazi Party and soon became the most hated symbol in history. It is still recognized worldwide today and brings painful memories caused by those who united behind this symbol.

13) Four-Leaf Clover - of the Irish culture, the four-leaf clover embodies luck and good fortune. Often in association with St. Patrick's Day and March, because this is the time when clovers can be found growing, anyone who finds this rare defect in the clover can be considered lucky. Clovers are held to be valuable plants because they feed animals and enrich soil, making it appropriate to make it a good fortune to find the rare four-leaf variety.

14) Diamond - it's one of the hardest materials found on earth and once it is chiseled and made fine, it is one of the world's most expensive materials as well. The diamond sparkles with beauty and is perfect for portraying wealth when in large quantities. To a couple about to be married, a diamond ring may represent commitment. Diamonds can also be found on playing cards when in the simple picture presented in this article. The diamond comes in many shapes and sizes and each may have a story to tell, but as a whole, it represents wealth or anything that is long-lasting and durable.

15) Rainbow - after a rain shower, the peering sun creates the magnificent rainbow over hills and forests. The rainbow symbolizes hope and happiness, especially because it signals the end of the gloomy atmosphere cast by the dark clouds of rain. For the same reason, homosexuals have selected the rainbow to represent their "gay pride." The Rainbow Coalition, founded by Rev. Jesse Jackson, seeks happiness among people and promotes racial equality. The rainbow is studied scientifically to show the refracting colors of the light and has been emulated for further studies. The rainbow, a natural phenomenon, also serves as a rallying symbol for many groups of people.