boriginal Art Symbols Aboriginal art symbols are collectively known as iconography. Aboriginal people traveled long distances across their country. They recorded the information regarding their travel in the form of symbols. The symbols were either lines or dots. Another fact about Aboriginal art symbols is that a particular symbol would have multiple meanings. Many of these symbols were used to narrate the complex "Dreamtime" tales. Aboriginal art and paintings interpret the traditions and culture of the Aborigines. The symbols used in dot paintings to narrate the Creation myth, are an integral part of Aboriginal paintings and art. The reason is that these symbols represent the laws, belief systems and customs of the Aborigines. Aboriginal art is one of the oldest art forms in the world. The contemporary Aboriginal art works use the symbols and signs of the ancient Aboriginal paintings. The only difference is that contemporary art uses acrylic paints on canvas instead of natural earth colors.