A symbol plot shows the magnitude and direction of a particular
vector or tensor variable at a specified step and frame of the analysis. In
addition, a symbol plot can be used to show the magnitude and direction of
attributes such as loads or predefined fields at a specified step of a model in
the current model database.
Abaqus/CAE
represents the values as symbols (for example, arrows) at locations on your
model. This section explains symbol plotting.