The best replacement for symbols is signs.

The best alternatives to symbols are rated as following:
★★★★★  signs
★★  icons
★★  logos
★  characters
★  markings
★  strings ruby
★  motifs
  strings
  furniture templates
  metaphors
  japanese
  japanese symbols
  symbolism
  metaphor
  letters
  christian symbols
  emblems
  designs
  lettering

Your alternative for symbols is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about symbols, one probably shouldn't forget about letters.

Other search terms related to symbols and their ratings are:
★★★★★ letters
★★★ meanings
★ keyboard keys
★ using the alt key
vowels
You have in mind a companion for symbols and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of symbols in all years. Click on graph for more.
symbols
signs
icons