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Rating-plate markings, safety classes and the icons on device housings.
These are compliance and safety markings rather than instructions: a double-insulation square, an AC or DC sign, a protection rating. They tell you what the device is certified as rather than what to do with it.
These records say so themselves — the setting appears in the symbol's own reviewed description or in one of its documented meanings.
A wavy line (∼) — IEC 60417-5032, indicating on a rating plate that equipment is suitable for alternating current.
Its description places it there: “…wavy line (∼) — IEC 60417-5032, indicating on a rating plate that equipment is suitable for alternating current”
A small flag that falls when time runs out.
Its a documented meaning places it there: “…an icon, so a player is said to have flagged on a device with no flag”
A key, a padlock or a small figure: the controls are frozen.
Its summary places it there: “A lock mark on a control panel. It does not switch anything off — a running…”
A droplet cupped in two hands.
Its a documented meaning places it there: “Applies to taps, cisterns, washing machines and irrigation equipment under one scheme, which…”
A marking that lights when limescale removal is due.
Its visual description places it there: “…flecks or a spiral beside it, illuminated on a control panel”
A solid line above a dashed line — IEC 60417-5031, indicating on a rating plate that equipment is suitable for direct current.
Its description places it there: “…dashed line — IEC 60417-5031, indicating on a rating plate that equipment is suitable for direct current”
A leaf, or the letters ECO: longer, cooler, and the tested setting.
Its summary places it there: “A leaf glyph on a washing machine or dishwasher. It saves energy by running longer…”
A shape with one half shaded: run the cycle on a partly filled machine.
Its a documented meaning places it there: “…adjust automatically, so the control persists on appliances that no longer need it”
A circle with a cross inside it, marking a lamp or indicator.
Its a documented meaning places it there: “…looked at rather than to light a room. On a control panel the second is what a reader is almost always…”
A wave-like mark of curved strokes, indicating a near-field communication point.
Its a documented meaning places it there: “Marks the point on a device or poster where an NFC tap should be made”
A decibel figure on a machine.
Its visual description places it there: “…sound-wave device, fixed to the machine beside its rating plate”
A decibel figure and class on an appliance label.
Its description places it there: “A decibel figure and class on an appliance label”
A label carrying model, serial, voltage and power figures.
Its summary places it there: “Every appliance carries a rating plate with its model and serial number, supply voltage…”
A square is the oven, lines are elements, a fan is forced air.
Its a documented meaning places it there: “Oven control symbols are built from a small set of components…”
A filled circle meaning capture rather than play.
Its visual description places it there: “…filled circle, set among angular shapes on a control panel”
An H, or a lit dot: the zone is off and still hot enough to burn.
Its visual description places it there: “…circle a few millimetres across — set into the control panel beside a zone”
A star or a sun for rinse aid, and an arrow into a container for salt.
Its summary places it there: “Two lamps on a dishwasher for two consumables that do unrelated jobs. Salt…”
Rising wavy lines, usually over a vessel.
Its summary places it there: “…being turned to steam. It appears on ovens, washing machines and irons and means the same thing on all three…”
A numbered scale telling a machine how hard the local water is.
Its summary places it there: “Dishwashers and some washing machines carry a water hardness setting that controls…”
A capital W, the SI unit symbol for the watt.
Its summary places it there: “…second. It is the number on every appliance rating plate and light bulb”
A crossed-out wheeled bin symbol required on electrical and electronic products under EU law, instructing separate collection rather than general disposal.
Its a documented meaning places it there: “Is drawn with a solid bar beneath the bin on equipment placed on the market after August 2005 — the…”
Nested arcs radiating from a dot, indicating a wireless network signal.
Its a documented meaning places it there: “Is used in two quite different senses. On a device it reports the strength of a connection; on a…”
The Wi-Fi arcs on a sign, marking an area with wireless internet.
Its summary places it there: “…area with wireless access. The same drawing on a device means the radio is connected — one is an offer…”
These belong to a system or a curated family that lives here. A laundry care symbol is met on a clothing label whether or not its own wording happens to say so.
A small square inside a larger square — IEC 60417-5172, marking equipment protected by double or reinforced insulation rather than an earth connection.
Plates or glasses under falling water, indicating dishwasher use.
A wine glass and a fork, marking material safe for food contact.
A snowflake, indicating suitability for freezing.
A coil or spiral, indicating cookware works on induction.
Wavy lines, or a dish beneath them, indicating microwave use.
A stylised oven, or a temperature figure, indicating oven use.
An open jar with a number and M, giving months of use after opening.
A plain circle (◯) — IEC 60417-5008, marking the control position that disconnects power from the equipment.
A vertical bar (|) — IEC 60417-5007, marking the control position that places equipment into a fully powered state.
A vertical line inside an unbroken circle — IEC 60417-5010, marking a button that switches equipment between fully on and fully off.
A circle enclosing a three-bar earth glyph — IEC 60417-5019, marking the protective earth (ground) terminal on Class I equipment.
A vertical line entering the top of a broken circle — IEC 60417-5009, marking a control that puts equipment into a low-power state rather than fully disconnecting it.
If you can describe what you saw as well as where, say both: “winged skull on a gravestone” narrows a list of 36 to a handful.