The verb indicator is from the basic symbol for 'action' :  It is derived from a most basic "action" of the earth, a volcano. Past Tense Verb Indicator: 
The past tense verb indicator is from the basic symbol for 'past' :  Charles Bliss explained this curved line as representing a curved mirror reflecting the past. Future Tense Verb Indicator: 
The future tense verb indicator is from the basic symbol for 'future' :  Charles Bliss explained this curved line as representing a curved mirror reflecting the future. Adjective Indicator:  Charles Bliss said that an adjective does not represent a real physical thing, but rather it is an evaluation or idea that comes down from the mind about a thing. So the adjective indicator that looks like a " v " implies the arrowhead pointing down from the blissymbol for 'idea' : 
Noun Indicator: 
The noun indicator comes from the basic symbol for 'thing' : A box makes sense as the symbol for thing because a box is a most basic shape we use to build many of the things for use in our everyday lives. Plural Indicator:  The plural indicator that looks like an " x " can be visuallized to mean plural because it represents "two sticks held together". Evaluation Before Indicator:  I don't know if there's an official term for this indicator, but "evaluation before" is descriptive. Some adjectives are evaluations by the mind before an event. Notice that the dot is before the ' v ' part of the indicator. An example of using this indicator is the symbol for 'breakable' :  An evaluation has been made by the mind before an object breaks that it could break. Evaluation After Indicator:  This indicator is similar to the one above except that it is an evaluation after an event has already occurred. Notice that the dot is after the ' v ' part of the indicator. An example of using this indicator is the symbol for 'broken' :  An evaluation has been made by the mind after the breaking of an object. |
