The diagram shows an iceberg at sea with the sea level only allowing a small amount of the iceberg to be visible above water.

Three levels are noted:

• Above water and fully visible: Artefacts – Tangible manifestations of culture.
• At water level so partly visible: Values – Ethical statements of rightness.
• Below the water line and so invisible or unseen: Basic assumptions – Unconscious and taken for granted ways of seeing the world.