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. |
