Adinkra symbols

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:

Adikrahene Dua

Adinkra King Stamp

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Adinkrahene

Chief of the adinkra symbols.

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Adwera

Watery Shrub

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Akoben

War horn

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Akofena

Sword of war

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Akokonan

The leg of a hen.

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Akoma

The heart

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Akoma Ntoso

Linked hearts

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Ani Bere

Seriousness

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Aries

Aries /ˈɛəriːz/ (meaning "ram") is the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, spanning the first 30 degrees of celestial longitude (0°≤ λ <30º), which area the Sun transits, on average, between March 21 to April 20 each year.

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Asase Ye Duru

The Earth is heavy.

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