Abstract: When classifying the three forms of signs，arbitrariness and conventionality are often preferred as two important criteria． Although characterized with resemblance and similarity，some types of iconic signs，such as picture or drawing，are also conventional or even arbitrary to various degrees．To reveal their qualities further，a comparative and dialectical analysis of the two forms of signs from a number of semiotic as well as linguistic viewpoints is carried out in this paper．

Keywords: symbolic sign; iconic sign; conventionality; arbitrariness; comparison

摘要： 在区分符号类型时，任意性和规约性通常被当作两个标尺。虽然像似符号以相似性为其主要特征，但是某些像似符号仍然显现出不同程度的规约性甚或任意性。为进一步揭示属于象征符号的语言符号和属于像似符号的图画符号的特质，本文参照语言学、符号学等理论观点从象征符号与像似符号、听觉与视觉、抽象与具象、时间与空间、系统性等若干角度，对语言符号和某些图画符号做了比较研究和辩证分析。

关键词: 象征符号, 像似符号, 任意性, 规约性, 比较