indexical signs

Indexical signs are signs that point directly to something in the real world, indicating a connection through evidence or presence. For example, smoke indicates fire, footprints suggest someone has walked there, and a clock shows the time. These signs don’t just symbolize something abstract; they have a direct link to what they represent through physical evidence or context. In essence, indexical signs act as indicators that help us infer occurrences or conditions based on tangible clues present in the environment.