什么是符号？符号在传播活动里起什么作用？大众传播学为什么要研究符号及其意义？这些问题既简单，又复杂。说简单，一句话就可以打发———符号是一切传播活动的原材料，一切传播活动都离不开符号，所谓万丈高楼平地起。说复杂，就整个传播研究里，就数有关符号及其意义的理 What is a symbol? What role does a symbol play in a communication activity? Why does mass communication study symbols and their meaning? These questions are simple and complex. To say simple, a word can be sent --- Symbol is all the dissemination of raw materials, all communication activities are inseparable from the symbol, the so-called lofty high rise from the ground. To elaborate, on the whole of communication research, count the symbols and their meanings