Message icons only are shown when in "threaded" view. They're pretty irrelevant.
How to quote:
- copy the text you wish to quote
- hit the quote button
- paste the text into the box
Another way to quote:
- In the message text box, type {quote} (but square brackets instead of parentheses.
- After {quote}, type the text you want to quote.
- Close the quote with {/quote} (again with square brackets.
