representational

Something described this way is not the thing itself, but something that stands for it. For instance, a painting of an apple is not an actual fruit you can eat, but an image of one. This word most often appears in art, where "representational art" tries to clearly show objects or scenes from the real world, unlike abstract art. But it is not limited to art. A map is representational because it stands for real places and features, and even language is a system in which words stand for ideas. Think of a flag: it is not the country itself, but it serves as a symbol of that nation.

The word representational describes anything that depicts, symbolizes, or stands in for something else. It suggests that what you are seeing is an image, symbol, or idea that points to something real. Its most common use is in art history; "representational art" refers to works such as portraits, landscapes, and still lifes that aim to show the visible world. If you can recognize the subject as a specific person, place, or object, the work is representational.

However, the term extends far beyond the canvas. It applies to any system where one thing serves in place of another. A scale model of a skyscraper is representational because it shows the form and features of the real building at a different size. A political cartoon is also representational, using exaggerated drawings to show social or political ideas.

In a broader sense, representational can also describe the way people organize and express meaning. In psychology and linguistics, people speak of "representational systems," such as language, where sounds and symbols stand for ideas. While the word "representative" is usually used for a person acting on behalf of others, "representational" focuses on the nature of the image, model, or symbol itself. Whether through art, signs, maps, or models, if something gives a depiction instead of the real thing, it is representational.