Adinkra symbols Page #6

This page lists all the various symbols in the Adinkra symbols category.

Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Ashanti of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa, that represent concepts or aphorisms. Adinkra are used extensively in fabrics, pottery, logos and advertising. They are incorporated into walls and other architectural features. Fabric adinkra are often made by woodcut sign writing as well as screen printing. Adinkra symbols appear on some traditional akan gold weights. The symbols are also carved on stools for domestic and ritual use. Tourism has led to new departures in the use of the symbols in such items as T shirts and jewelry.

The symbols have a decorative function but also represent objects that encapsulate evocative messages that convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life or the environment. There are many different symbols with distinct meanings, often linked with proverbs. In the words of Anthony Appiah, they were one of the means in a pre-literate society for "supporting the transmission of a complex and nuanced body of practice and belief".

Symbols in this category:

Nyansapo

Wisdom knot

Read more »

Odo Nyera Fie Kwan

Love never loses its way home.

Read more »

Ohene Tuo

The King's Gun

Read more »

Okodee Mmowere

The talons of the eagle.

Read more »

Okuafo Pa

Good Farmer

Read more »

Onyakopon Ne Yen Ntena

May God be with us.

Read more »

Onyankopon Adom Nti Biribiara Beye Yie

By God's grace, all will be well.

Read more »

Osram Ne Nsoromma

The Moon and the Star

Read more »

Owia Kokroko

Greatness of the sun

Read more »

Owo Foro Adobe

Snake climbing the raffia tree.

Read more »

Owuo Atwedee

The ladder of death

Read more »

Owuo Kum Nyame

Death Killed God

Read more »

Pa Gya

Striking of Fire

Read more »

Pempamsie

Sew in readiness.

Read more »

Have a discussion about the Adinkra symbols category with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this symbols category to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Adinkra symbols." Symbols.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 Dec. 2024. <https://www.symbols.com/category/31/Adinkra+symbols>.

    We need you!

    Help us build the largest human-edited symbols collection on the web!

    Graphical Index

    Use our unique search feature to find a symbol based on its various graphical characteristics:


    • Symmetry:
    • Shape:
    • Colors:
    • Curveness:
    • Crossing:

    Quiz

    Are you a world flags master?

    »
    A Eswatini
    B Afghanistan
    C Gabon
    D Bulgaria