An arrow is a graphical symbol such as ← or →, used to point or indicate direction, being in its simplest form a line segment with a triangle affixed to one end, and in more complex forms a representation of an actual arrow (e.g. ➵ U+27B5).lso comparable is the use of a fleur-de-lis symbol indicating north in a compass rose by Pedro Reinel (c. 1504). An early arrow symbol is found in an illustration of Bernard Forest de Belidor 'bélidor s Treatise'l architecture, hydraulique printed In france in. 1737