Iconic meaning: a resemblance between the appearance of a sign 

and its meaning. Iconic signs are the most numerous, bridging children's early explorations with marks and the standard abstract  symbols children come to use over time.

       The iconic signs children use have some similarity with standard symbols. In their Mathematical Graphics children attach mathematical meanings to their marks, which may include wavy or zigzag, writing-like lines; drawings; arrows, ticks and crosses, early emergent writing; letter- or numeral-like signs; crosses and tally-like marks.