We all like to draw, don't we? But according to pop psychology, our art means something about us individually & psychologically...

I've drawn ALL of the following things at some point, in an on again off again random kind of way. Here's my symbols that populate my sketchbooks....

FACES

The expression on a doodled face is often a good indication of the mood or character of the person who has drawn it. A nicely drawn, good-looking face suggests you see the good in others. If you sketch weird or ugly faces, you are probably mistrustful.

Comic faces demonstrate a desire to be the centre of attention. Child-like doodles of faces suggest neediness. Profiles indicate you’re an introvert.

CHESS BOARD

The black and white chequerboard doodle suggests patience and persistence. Perhaps you are weighing-up various options regarding a tricky situation?

It’s also the favourite doodle of people who are prone to mood swings.

INTRICATE PATTERNS

Busy, highly-detailed doodles are often drawn by people with an obsessive nature, who simply will not let go of their ambitions or loved ones. This type of drawing is often a favourite with extreme introverts.

STAIRS OR LADDER

Symbols of ambition and a willingness to work your way methodically ‘up the ladder’ in life, drawings of stairs and ladders also often indicate you have an important, long-term task in hand. They can represent a spiritual quest, too, perhaps a desire to be happier or more relaxed. 

HOUSE

This common doodle indicates a need for security. A neat drawing of a house suggests a secure home life, a more messy-looking sketch (especially one without windows) indicates unhappiness with your home life.

A house pictured on its own on top  of a hill suggests you’re feeling isolated and lonely.

NAMES OR INITIALS

Doodling your name or initials is common for those who enjoy being the centre of attention. Teenagers often doodle just their first name or the initial of their Christian name, indicating a desire to break away from the family and do their own thing.

Doodling someone else’s name, on the other hand, shows they are in your thoughts — perhaps romantically or because they are a presenting a problem you need to deal with.

Not just scribbles: Initials suggest a desire to be centre of attention while boxes show efficiency

STARS

Stars are often drawn by ambitious people. Lots of little stars indicate optimism. If you’ve drawn one big, bold, embellished star, you’ve got a definite goal in your sights.

Neat, uniform stars suggest good mental focus, while freehand, asymmetric stars show an energetic personality.

SQUARES OR BOXES

Drawing a square indicates you want control of a situation — that you are thinking through a problem.

If your squares progress to a cube or box, you’re likely to be a very efficient, analytical person who can deal with difficult situations with  little fuss.

ZIGZAGS

Just as patterns made up of soft, flowing, curvy lines suggest a romantic, female approach to things, patterns made up of lots of straight lines, indicate more aggressive masculine characteristics.

Zigzags are a particularly common doodle and show energetic thinking and a desire to get on with things.

STICK FIGURE

Commonly doodled by highly successful people, the simple stick figure reveals someone who is in control of  their emotions and incredibly focused on their goals in life.

britishgraphology.org

This list of symbols describing design and art elements are also useful for categorizing what kind of art will attract what kind of demographics. For example, curvy anime (sailor moon and Pokemon) will attract female viewers, meanwhile angular jagged anime (like DBZ and YU YU HAKUSHO AND  Samurai anime) will attract male viewers (mostly).