What are Pictographs?

Picture writing is a form of communication that does not use sound gestures unlike most modern languages. Pictography is the use of symbols or images that represent a certain idea(s) and are used to express thoughts without the use of words.

Kobay. “Koba Pictographs.” Smithsonian Institution

Pictographs and their corresponding English translation

Leder, Lawrence H. “Iroquois Pictographs.” American Philosophical Society

Iroquois pictographs from the 1800s

Tiller, de Teel Patterson. [Judian Pictographs], photograph, March 1978

This use of communication or expression has been used since 3000 BC and was notably an evident form of communication for Native Americans. Pictographs were often carved or written with pigment on adornment, trees, rocks, hides, or old account books which is also known as rock art and ledger art.

Catching a Shark, July 1875 Bear’s Heart, Southern Tsitsistas/Cheyenne, about 1875 Courtesy National Museum of the American Indian

"Transfer from Cars to Steamboat at Jacksonville, May 21, 1875" Bear’s Heart, Southern Tsitsistas-Cheyenne, about 1875 Courtesy National Museum of the American Indian

"Cheyenne Pictures. High Wolf Kills a Shoshonee or Snake Indian." Unknown artist, about 1894 The mounted warrior, with the name glyph “High Wolf,” appears as the central subject of this drawing. His victory over the falling Snake (Shoshone) warrior, identified by his shield, seems complete as he appears to ride over him with his arms extended. He is counting coup by touching his enemy with his riding quirt, or whip.

The Flame Winter Count (Sioux) records the years 1786-1876 Courtesy National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

"Honored," Francis Yellow (Francis J. Yellow), Lakota (Teton/Western Sioux) Courtesy, National Museum of the American Indian

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