In literature, the term "fig" is most commonly employed as a shorthand reference to a numbered illustration or diagram that supports or clarifies the text. For instance, scholarly and historical works, such as those on heraldry or architectural structures, utilize phrases like "Fig. 291" [1] or "Fig. 727" [2] to precisely direct readers to detailed visual representations. This practice can be seen in texts ranging from Thomas Jefferson’s historical documents [3] to Mark Twain’s essays [4, 5, 6] and even in works on scientific instruments or anatomy where detailed figures illustrate intricate points [7, 8, 9]. In other contexts, however, the word “fig” appears in its literal sense, as in references to the fig-tree found in proverbs or biblical passages [10, 11]. Thus, whether serving as a navigational tool within technical documentation or evoking natural symbolism, "fig" plays a versatile role in literary and academic discourse.
- Fig. 291.
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
- Fig. 727. —John, Duke of Bedford, third son of Henry IV.:
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
- 151 The same treatment occurs in the mosque of Ahmed I., the Ahmediyeh (1608; Fig. 88), and the Yeni Djami (“New Mosque”) at the port (1665).
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson
- Thus: (Fig. 6).
— from What Is Man? and Other Essays by Mark Twain
- (Fig.
— from What Is Man? and Other Essays by Mark Twain
- (Fig. 11.)
— from What Is Man? and Other Essays by Mark Twain
- [Pg 34] Fig.
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James
- Let S [ Fig.
— from Opticks : by Isaac Newton
- Type D—An obovate nut, oval to angled in cross section (Fig. 6d).
— from Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 44th Annual Meeting
- The Arabian proverb says, "A fig-tree, looking on a fig-tree, becometh fruitful."
— from Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson by Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Is the seed as yet sprung up? or hath the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree as yet flourished?
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete