Adinkra Symbols

Adinkra symbols are symbols that represent proverbs, concepts, or aphorisms. Adinkra symbols originated from Ghana and the Gyaman people of Cote d’Ivoire. Adinkra symbols have spiritual, scientific and metaphysical application in Akan tradition. The deeper meanings of Adinkra symbols are explained and easily understood through Adinkra Alphabet. Adinkra symbols are used extensively as logos, in fabrics and pottery.

Adinkra Transliteration	Symbol	Meaning
AdinkrahInI “Chief of Adinkra Symbols”		To act in Leadership role and inspire others
bi nka bi “Bite not one another”		Caution against negative actions towards one another such as cheating.
cwc fOrO adObe “Snake climb the raffia palm”		Signifies persistence and diligence to achieve success
damI damI “Name of a board game”		Signifies intelligence and ingenuity
eban “Fence”		A home with a fence is considered an ideal residence
fawOhOdiE “Freedom”		Independence comes with its responsibilities
ZI NamI “Except God”		Symbolizes the Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent power of God.
hwEmudua “Measuring stick”		Symbolizes strive towards perfection
esI nI tekrema “The teeth and the tongue”		Symbolizes unity, friendship and interdependence
epa “Handcuff”		A symbol of the uncompromising nature of the law to offenders and discourage slavery.
Adinkra	Symbol	Meaning
kintinkantan “Puffed up extravagance”		Symbolizes the nature of some individuals who are arrogant, pompous and bossy.
mmIre danI “Time changes”		Symbol of the change and dynamism of life.
mpatapc “Knot of reconciliation”		Represent the bond or knot that binds parties in a dispute to a peaceful reconciliation.
nQimu “Divider”		Symbolizes skillfulness and precision.
NamI biribi wc sOrO “God’s something is in the heavens”		God dwells in the heavens and he answers prayers.
pImpamsiE “Sew to preserve”		Preparedness and readiness
denQem “Crocodile”		We should adapt to changing conditions in our life and the environment
asasI yE duru “The Earth has weight”		Symbolizes the providence and divinity of Mother Earth.
sankcfa “Return and get it”		Bringing past useful experiences into the present
aya “Fern”		Symbolizes endurance and resourcefulness
Adinkra	Symbol	Meaning
nIa onnim nO sua a, ohu “He/She who does not know, will know from learning”		Practice makes one perfect
bIsI saka “Sack of kola nut”		Symbolizes affluence, power and abundance
wawa aba “Seed of the Wawa tree”		Symbolizes hardiness and perseverance
akOkcnan “The leg of a hen”		Symbolizes nurturing and discipline
duafI “Wooden comb”		Symbolizes beauty and cleanliness
fihankra “You did not say goodbye when you left home”		Symbolizes security and safety
jInnimmen “Ram’s horns”		Symbolizes humility together with strength
csram nI nsOrOmma “The Moon and the Star”		Symbolizes love, faithfulness and harmony
funtunfunEfu denQemfunEfu “Conjoined crocodiles”		Democracy and unity in diversity
mpuAnum “Five tufts of hair”		Symbolizes loyalty and skillfulness
Adinkra	Symbol	Meaning
SI wOnSI “That which cannot be burnt”		Symbolizes imperishability and endurance
matI mAsiE “What I hear, I keep”		Symbolizes receptivity to learning and education
ckcdIe mmcwIre “The talons of the Eagle”		Symbolizes strength and power
Nansapc “Wisdom Knot”		Symbol of wisdom and intelligence
nsaa High quality hand woven fabric		Symbolizes quality and durability
akoCma “Heart”		Symbolizes love, goodwill and patience
NamI nwu na mAwu “God does not die, and so I cannot die”		Symbolizes Immortality of the Soul
nkcnscnkcnscn “Chain or Link”		Symbolizes Interdependence, brotherhood and cooperation
mframadan “Wind-resistant house”		Symbolizes social security, excellence and preparedness
kete pa “Good bed”		Symbolizes faith, love and hope
Adinkra	Symbol	Meaning
nQinQim “Twisting”		Symbol of toughness and adaptability
nsOrOmma “A child of the heavens” or “a star”		Symbol of a person who is a leader or a guardian
csram “The Moon”		Symbol of faith, patience and understanding
bOa mI na mI mmOa wO “Help me and let me help you”		Symbol of cooperation and interdependence
cdc nyIra fiE qan “Love never loses its way home”		Symbolize love, devotion, hope and faithfulness.
fcfc “Seed of fofo plant”		Symbol of warning against jealousy and covetousness.
akOben “War horn”		Symbolizes courage
akOfIna “The state ceremonial swords”		Symbolizes courage
ZAwu Atikc “Shaving on the back of Gyawu’s head”		Symbolizes bravery and honor.
qataQI Atikc “Special hair style of Kwatakye, a war captain of old Asante”		Symbolizes bravery and honor.
Adinkra	Symbol	Meaning
musuyidIe “Thing to remove evil”		Symbolizes sanctity, good fortune and enlightenment.
owuo atwIdIe “The ladder of death”		Symbolizes mortality and the physical body.
sunsum The “Soul”		Symbolizes cleanliness of spirit and spirituality
NamI dua “Tree of God”		Signifies the presence and protection of God.
ajo “Calm”		Signifies peace, tranquility and quietness.
abcdI santann “Totality of the universe”		Signifies totality of natural and human creation.
nIa cpe se obEdi hInI “He/She who wants to be a king”		Symbol of service and the qualities of a leader.
wO nsa dA mu a “If your hands are in the dish”		Symbolizes democracy and participatory government
mAko Ninaa mpAtu mmIrI “All the peppers on the same tree do not ripen simultaneously”		Symbolizes unique individual talents and unequal development.
QemfIre “Potsherd (Broken pot)”		Symbolize experience, service and antiquity.
Adinkra	Symbol	Meaning
Adu hwam “Fragrance” or “Powerful aroma”		The king’s authority and power is felt in all households in his kingdom.
aprukuma “A medicinal seed”		A medicinal seed use to treat infections.
owuo kum NamI “Death killed God”		Symbolizes the invincibility of death and the power of God to overcome death.
anansI ntOntan “Spider web”		Symbolizes wisdom, creativity and the complexities of life.
tumI tI se kosua “Power is like an egg”		Symbolizes the delicacy of political power, fragility of democracy and restraint.
kramo bcnI “Fake Moslem”		Symbol of the need for critical inquiry, warning against quackery and hypocrisy.
sIsa wO suban “Change your character”		Symbol of warning against arrogance, bad manners and negative behavior.
kokuromotiE “Thumb”		Symbol of cooperation, teamwork and harmony.
chInI Aniwa “The King’s eyes”		Symbol of vigilance, farsightedness, authority and power.
osiadan NamI “God, the builder”		Symbol of God, the Builder and Creator.
Adinkra	Symbol	Meaning
akOma ntOasO “United hearts”		Symbol of agreement, togetherness and unity.
NamI ye chInI “God is King”		Symbol of Majesty and Supremacy of God.
abe dua “Palm Tree”		Symbol of wealth, resourcefulness and self sufficiency.
yEbESia bio “We shall meet again”		Symbolizes all things in nature are linked and we shall meet again after saying goodbye.
aqaaba “Welcome”		Symbolizes friendliness and hospitality.
aban “Fortress”		Symbolizes seat of power, strength and authority.
dono “Drum”		Symbolizes appellation, praise, goodwill and rhythm.
dono ntOasO “Extended drum”		Symbolizes unified action, vigilance and rejoicing.
chInI Aja “King’s stool”		Symbol of Authority and leadership.
tuo nI akOfIna “Gun and States Sword”		Symbol of defense.
Adinkra	Symbol	Meaning
chInI kra kcnmudI “Royal Soul Pendant”		Symbolizes the leadership of the king.
chInI Qe “King’s Crown”		Symbolizes royalty and legitimate authority to rule.
chECnEC Qinie “King’s Umbrella”		Symbol of Kingship
chInI papa “Good King”		Symbol of good governance.
chInI wuo ye ya “The King is Dead”		Symbolizes transition or passing of the king.
Ani bIrI a ensc Za “No matter how red-eyed one becomes, his/her eyes do not spark flames.”		Symbolizes diligence and perseverance.
uaC nkanIa “UAC lights”		Symbolizes technological advancement.
kuronti nI aqAmu Two groups Kuronti and Akwamu that form the council of a town.		Symbolizes democracy, sharing ideas, and taking council.
Abusua pa “Good family”		Signifies family unity, kinship ties, and the importance of family support.