All signs used in the cartography we call 'cartographical signs'. But not all of them have carto-graphical meaning-to mark concrete objects from reality in the field of the map. The signs in the cartography are shown in four hierarchical levels: graphical primitives, graphical signs, cartographical signs and super-signs. The signs on the each level are consisted of one or several signs from lower level and have their meaning. According to the classical cartographical theory there is no

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... nt difference between the graphical signs depicted in the legend of the map and carto-graphical signs functioning in the field of the map. In this article 10 differences between this signs are considered to underline the distinction. Two classifications of the signs are also considered: according to its appearance and according to its relation to the object marked by them. The shown theory gives answers some of the unsolved inquiries in the cartography and contributes for simple understanding of the cartographical signs in the process of study.