semiotic triangle

The Semiotic Triangle illustrates how we understand meaning through three interconnected elements: a symbol, the referent, and thought or concept. The symbol is the word or image we use (like "tree"), the referent is the actual object in the real world (the physical tree), and the thought or concept is our mental image or understanding of what a tree is. Together, these elements show that meaning is not inherent in the symbols alone, but is created through their relationships and our interpretations, making communication and understanding more complex and nuanced.