One of the main problems in graph enumeration is determining the 'shape' of a graph, e.g. the isomorphism class of any particular graph. I am fully aware that every graph can be represented as a symmetric matrix. However, to get it's shape, you'd need a collection of row/column permutations, which makes a matrix a little less suited. It's also a bit harder to 'see' the graph, once it's in that form.
My question is: Are there any 'graphical' algebras that can describe the 'shape' of graphs?
What I'm thinking of is what kinds of formal systems that algebraic topologists tend to come up with. In particular, things like the algebra for knot invariants, or notational systems like operads or polygraphs. These kind of 'doodle algebras' are not nearly as well developed, so perhaps there is a reason to believe that no such algebra exists for graphs, but I'd though I'd ask before assuming otherwise.
UPDATE:
My question is probably very narrow and not immediately answerable with a 'yes', so if the moderators don't mind, I'll broaden it by asking:
Are there any existing systems (the kind I describe above) that could be adapted (easily or otherwise) to create such a system? If there's more than one, feel free to mention all of them. And throw in the ones already mentioned as well.
Motivation
My motivation for such a question is actually about classifying asymmetric graphs. I'm only an undergrad, so my review of the current state of algebraic graph theory is pretty thin. But I've yet to see much, if any, work in trying to systematically describe all graphs in an algebraic way, and in particular, one that uses visual metaphors over symbolic ones.
Practical example where such a system would be useful
Suppose one wants to describe a proof that all Eulerian graphs must have vertices of even degree. A standard proof usually uses arguments about even and odd degrees, without mentioning the actual edges used. A typical student would find such a proof for the first time, and probably begin drawing graphs, attempting to convince himself of the argument. But perhaps a better tool than the pure 'logical' argument, would be to show that any collection of 'symbols' from such a language could not satisfy some 'completeness' condition.
Yeah, I know, I'm being hand-wavy at this last part.. If I wasn't, though I'd probably start creating such a system myself!
But ignoring my vagueness for a moment, I get a sense that many of the old and well known theorems in graph theory are not difficult but require some conceptualization that a really good framework could 'tie up' and 'package' into a unified view.