african symbols

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Adinkra symbols were first used as decorative elements in one of the most highlyvalued, hand-printed and hand-embroidered cloths of West Africa. The fabrics' origin istraced to the Asante of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote' d'lvoire (Ivory Coast). However,the production and use of Adinkra cloth has come to be more associated with the Asantethan any other ethnic group. Around the 19th Century, the Asante developed their uniqueart of printing Adinkra cloth. Traditionally, the cloth was used exclusively by royalty andspiritual leaders for very important sacred ceremonies and rituals. The printing processentails stamping one symbol at a time onto large sheets of cotton cloth. The stamps arecut from pieces of calabash and the dye, Adinkera aduru, is prepared by boiling the barkof Badie together with iron slag. Originally the Adinkra cloth was printed on the ground,however today raised platforms with sack coverings act as the printing table. In additionto its traditional sacred usage, today Adinkra cloth is also used to make clothing for suchspecial occasions as festivals, church-going, weddings, naming ceremonies and initiationrites.

ADINKRAHENE"Chief of the adinkra symbols"symbol of greatness, charisma andleadershipThis symbol is said to have played aninspiring role in the designing of othersymbols. it signifies the importance ofplaying a leadership role.

Osram - the 'moon'.

Symbol represents patience.

The related proverb is 'it takes the moonquite a while to go round the world' -you need to show patience whenawaiting a particular event or outcome..

Osram Ne Nsoroma - the 'moon andstar'.

Symbol represents love, harmony,faithfulness, and the feminine essence oflife.

The symbol represents the north star(female) awaiting the return of herpartner, the moon (male).

african symbols

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Tabono - the 'paddles'.

Symbol represents strength andperseverence.

Wawa Aba - the 'seed of the wawa tree'.

Symbol represents strength.The wawa tree, a hardwood, is reveredfor its quality as a medium for carving.

AKOBEN"war horn"symbol of vigilance and warinessAkoben is a horn used to sound a battlecry.

AKOKO NAN"the leg of a hen" symbol of nurturing and disciplineThe full name of this symbol translatesto "The hen treads on her chicks, butshe does not kill them." This representsthe ideal nature of parents, being bothprotective and corrective. Anexhortation to nurture children, but awarning not to pamper them.

AKOMA"the heart" symbol ofpatience,goodwill,faithfulness,enduranceand toleranceAccording to Agbo, when a person issaid to "have a heart in his stomach,"that person is very tolerant. A saying "Nya Akoma" (Get a heart -be patient).

african symbols

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AKOMA NTOSO"linked hearts" symbol of understanding and agreement

Ananse Ntontan.

Symbol represents creativity andwisdom.

AYA

Fearless fighters wear this fern as a warsign in their caps and speechs.

BIN NKA BI"No one should bite the other" symbol of peace and harmonyThis symbol cautions againstprovocation and strife.

DAME-DAMEname of a board gamesymbol of intelligence and ingenuity

DENKYEM"crocodile" symbol of adaptabilityThe crocodile lives in the water, yetbreathes the air, demonstrating anability to adapt to circumstances.

DWENNIMMEN"ram's horns" symbol of humility together with

african symbols

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strengthThe ram will fight fiercely against anadversary, but it also submits humbly toslaughter, emphasizing that even thestrong need to be humble.

EBAN"fence" symbol of love, safety and securityThe home to the Akan is a special place.A home which has a fence around it isconsidered to be an ideal residence.

The fence symbolically separates andsecures the family from the outside.Because of the security and theprotection that a fence affords, thesymbol is also associated with thesecurity and safety one finds in love.

EPA"handcuffs" symbol of slavery and captivity

ESE NE TEKREMA"the teeth and the tongue" symbol of friendship andinterdependenceThe teeth and the tongue playinterdependent roles in the mouth. Theymay come into conflict, but they need towork together.

FIHANKRA"house/compound" symbol of security and safetyTypical of Akan (Asante) architecture,the communal housing compound hasonly one entrance and exit.

FUNTUNFUNEFU-DENKYEMFUNEFU "Siamese crocodiles" symbol of democracy and unityThe Siamese crocodiles share onestomach, yet they fight over food. Thispopular symbol is a remind that

african symbols

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infighting and tribalism is harmful to allwho engage in it.

GYE NYAME"except for God" symbol of the supremacy of GodThis unique and beautiful symbol isubiquitous in Ghana. It is by far themost popular for use in decoration, areflection on the deeply religiouscharacter of the Ghanaian people

HWE MU DUA"measuring stick" symbol of examination and qualitycontrolThis symbol stresses the need to strivefor the best quality, whether inproduction of goods or in humanendeavors.

HYE WON HYE"that which does not burn " symbol of imperishability andenduranceThis symbol gets its meaning fromtraditional priests that were able to walkon fire without burning their feet, aninspiration to others to endure andovercome difficulties.

KINTINKANTAN"puffed up extravagance" symbol of arrogance

MATE MASIE"What I hear, I keep" symbol of wisdom, knowledge andprudenceThe implied meaning of the phrase

african symbols

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"mate masie" is "I understand".Understanding means wisdom andknowledge, but it also represents theprudence of taking into considerationwhat another person has said.

MMUSUYIDEE"that which removes bad luck" symbol of good furtune and sanctity

NKONSONKONSON"chain link" symbol of unity and human relationsA reminder to contribute to thecommunity, that in unity lies strength

NKYINKYIM"twisting" symbol of initiative, dynamism andversatility

NSOROMMA"child of the heavens [stars] " symbol of guardianshipA reminder that God is the father andwatches over all people.

NYAME BIRIBI WO SORO"God is in the heavens" symbol of hopeA reminder that God's dwelling place is

african symbols

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in the heaven, where he can listen to allprayers.

Nyame Akruma - 'God's Axe'.

Symbol represents stealth and righteousmight.

The symbol is based on neolithic axeheads, found in the region, andconsidered by the Akan to be thephysical remains of thunderbolts hurledby angry Gods. The Akan would oftenwear one or more shells as a talismanagainst lightning strikes (and later asprotection against firearms).

Nyame-Nti - 'faith in God'.Also known as Adwera - a river plant.

Symbol represents consecration,cleanliness, chastity, purity, and faith inGod.

The proverb related to Adwera says that"the water of life sustains through itspurity", a recommendation to the life ofthe virtuous and pious.

NYAME NNWU NA MAWU"God never dies, therefore I cannot die" symbol of perpetual existenceThis signifies the immortality of man'ssoul, believed to be a part of God.Because the soul rests with God afterdeath, it cannot die.

ODO NNYEW FIE KWAN"Love never loses its way home" symbol of the power of love

african symbols

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OSRAM NE NSROMMA (The moonand the star). Symbol of FAITHFULNESS, LOVE,HARMONY, FONDNESS, LOYALTY,BENEVOLENCE and FEMININEESSENCE OF LIFE. Prov.: "Kyekye peaware." (Kyekye - the North Pole Star -has a deep love for marriage. She isalways in the Sky waiting for the returnof the moon, her husband). OWO FORO ADOBE"snake climbing the raffia tree" symbol of steadfastness, prudence anddiligenceBecause of its thorns, the raffia tree is avery dangerous challenge to the snake.His ability to climb it is a model ofpersistence and prudence.

SANKOFA"return and get it" symbol of the importance of the wisdomof learning from the past in building forthe future.Prov. "Se wo were fi na wo sankofa ayenkyi".

SESA WORUBAN"I change or transform my life"symbol of life transformationThis symbol combines two separateadinkra symbols, the "Morning Star"which can mean a new start to the day,placed inside the wheel, representingrotation or independent movement.

african symbols

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TAMFO BEBRE"the enemy will stew in his own juice" symbol of importance of learning fromthe past