Online Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms HME Publishing

Frequent Questions

Where can I download Symbols '98 Encyclopedia?

We are currently investigating the future for this product. In the meantime, you can still download and register the product using the old version of our web page.

What kind of signs is Symbols.com about?

Symbols.com deals with Western, non-pictorial signs. Learn more about the terms.

Who is the author?

The author of the all the articles featured at this web site is Carl G Liungman, a Swedish writer and semtiotician. Read his presentation.

What is the difference between Symbols.com, Symbols -- Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms, and Symbols '98 Encyclopedia?

Published by HME Publishing, this web site is a limited online version of Carl G Liungman's book Symbols -- Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms, an encyclopedia of graphic symbols. The book is available at this web site.

Symbols '98 Encyclopedia is the enchanced offline version, with high-res clip art images, additional in-depth articles, text search capabilites, and much more. You can download it here.

Can I use one of the images/articles on Symbols.com in my own work?

If you know that the sign is not a protected trademark or logo for any other company, and as long as you re-draw it yourself, you can include it in you works.

Please note that all images and texts on Symbols.com remain the property of HME Publishing and the author. You may not use any of the actual images or texts that can be found on the Symbols.com web site without prior consent from the publisher. Please contact us to request such authorization. (Another option is to purchase the Symbols '98 Encyclopedia Pro version, which includes 2,400 images from the encyclopedia in high-resolution, free to use.)

You may, however, cite articles found at Symbols.com, as long as you acknowledge the author and source. A direct link/URL reference to the article satisfies our author credit requirement.

How do I access clip-art in Symbols '98 Encyclopedia?

To access the clip art images in Symbols '98 Encyclopedia, just control-click (hold the ctrl-key down and click) on any symbol that you want and chose "Copy" from the menu that appears. You can paste the image into any image editor, such as Photoshop or PaintShop Pro, using the "Paste" command.

How can I add information on a sign?

Almost all symbols in Symbols.com are of Western origin. Also, all signs are non-pictorial. If you know of a sign that match these criteria, please share your knowledge with us. We are happy to accept any information that makes Symbols.com a better and more reliable resource.

Can I try Symbols '98 Encyclopedia before buying?

Yes, the tryout is completely free, and gives you access to chapters 1--18 (out of 54). After completing the installation, start the program and click 'Try first' when you see the 'Register' dialog. If you like the program, you can purchase it from us.