diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dd05454b..4828cb44 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -83,12 +83,22 @@ Each directory within corresponds to a particular filetype in Vim, and each file
 in each directory corresponds to the name of a particular linter.
 
 ### Always showing gutter
+
 You can keep the sign gutter open at all times by setting the g:ale_sign_column_always to 1
 
 ```vim
 let g:ale_sign_column_always = 1
 ```
 
+### Customize signs
+
+Use these options to specify what text should be used for signs:
+
+```vim
+let g:ale_sign_error = '>>'
+let g:ale_sign_warning = '--'
+```
+
 
 ## Installation
 
diff --git a/plugin/ale/sign.vim b/plugin/ale/sign.vim
index 6f07703d..46d74fc6 100644
--- a/plugin/ale/sign.vim
+++ b/plugin/ale/sign.vim
@@ -20,9 +20,15 @@ if !hlexists('ALEWarning')
     highlight link ALEWarning SpellCap
 endif
 
+" Global variables for signs
+let g:ale_sign_error = get(g:, 'ale_sign_error', '>>')
+let g:ale_sign_warning = get(g:, 'ale_sign_error', '--')
+
 " Signs show up on the left for error markers.
-sign define ALEErrorSign text=>> texthl=ALEErrorSign
-sign define ALEWarningSign text=-- texthl=ALEWarningSign
+execute 'sign define ALEErrorSign text=' . g:ale_sign_error
+			\	. ' texthl=ALEErrorSign'
+execute 'sign define ALEWarningSign text=' . g:ale_sign_warning
+			\	. ' texthl=ALEWarningSign'
 
 " This function will set the signs which show up on the left.
 function! ale#sign#SetSigns(buffer, loclist)