Assignment 1: Analysing Denotation & Connotation

Laura Cuk

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.

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.

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.