# marks (visual)

A difference that is a pattern on a surface when a part changes that surface.

- Computed level: L5 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: everyday  ·  Arena: common

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [difference](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-difference.relation), [part](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-part.relation), [change](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-change.process), [pattern](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-pattern.regularity), [surface](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-surface.exterior)

**Through:** A part changes a surface and a difference becomes a pattern.

**Novel properties:**
- visible marking
- structured contrast
- persistent trace

## Examples
- The Liberty Bell's crack widened during a ringing ceremony in 1846, becoming a permanent feature of its surface. *(history)*
- Oxidation forms a green patina on the Statue of Liberty's copper skin, changing its appearance over decades. *(materials)*
- Scratches accumulate on a smartphone screen from daily use, creating a visible network of fine lines. *(technology)*

## Used by
- [black](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-black.color) (L8)
- [code](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-code.information) (L10)
- [information](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-information.knowledge) (L6)
- [number](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-number.quantity) (L6)
- [page](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-page.sheet) (L16)
- [photo](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-photo.visual) (L6)
- [pictures](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-pictures.visual) (L8)
- [s](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-s.letter) (L8)
- [see](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-see.visual) (L6)
- [sign](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-sign.symbolic) (L11)
- [text](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-text.written) (L7)
- [visual](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-visual.perceptual) (L7)
- [white](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-white.color) (L9)
- [write](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-write.communication) (L13)

---
*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-marks.visual*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-marks.visual.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*