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.

Symbol	Transliteration
Name	Meaning

	“Chief of Adinkra Symbols”
AdinkrahInI Adinkrahene	To act in Leadership role and inspire others

	“Bite not one another”
bi nka bi Bi Nka Bi	Caution against negative actions towards one another such as cheating.

	“Snake climb the raffia palm”
cwc fOrO adObe Owo Foro Adobe	Signifies persistence and diligence to achieve success

	“Name of a board game”
damI damI Dame Dame	Signifies intelligence and ingenuity

	“Fence”
eban Eban	A home with a fence is considered an ideal residence

	“Freedom”
fawOhOdiE Fawohodie	Independence comes with its responsibilities

	“Except God”
ZI NamI Gye Nyame	Symbolizes the Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent power of God.

	“Measuring stick”
hwEmudua Hwemudua	Symbolizes strive towards perfection

	“The teeth and the tongue”
esI nI tekrema Ese Ne Tekrema	Symbolizes unity, friendship and interdependence

	“Handcuff”
epa Epa	A symbol of the uncompromising nature of the law to offenders and discourage slavery.

	“Puffed up extravagance”
kintinkantan Kintinkantan	Symbolizes the nature of some individuals who are arrogant, pompous and bossy.

	“Time changes”
mmIre danI Mmere Dane	Symbol of the change and dynamism of life.

	“Knot of reconciliation”
mpatapc Mpatapo	Represent the bond or knot that binds parties in a dispute to a peaceful reconciliation.

	“Divider”
nQimu Nkyimu	Symbolizes skillfulness and precision.

	“God’s something is in the heavens”
NamI biribi wc sOrO Nyame Biribi Wo Soro	God dwells in the heavens and he answers prayers.

	“Sew to preserve”
pImpamsiE pImpamsiE	Preparedness and readiness

	“Crocodile”
denQem Denkyem	We should adapt to changing conditions in our life and the environment

	“The Earth has weight”
asasI yE duru Asase Ye Duru	Symbolizes the providence and divinity of Mother Earth.

	“Return and get it”
sankcfa Sankofa	Bringing past useful experiences into the present

	“Fern”
aya Aya	Symbolizes endurance and resourcefulness

	“He/She who does not know, will know from learning”
nIa onnim nO sua a, ohu Nea Onnim No Sua A, Ohu	Practice makes one perfect

	“Sack of kola nut”
bIsI saka Bese Saka	Symbolizes affluence, power and abundance

	“Seed of the Wawa tree”
wawa aba Wawa Aba	Symbolizes hardiness and perseverance

	“The leg of a hen”
akOkcnan Akokonan	Symbolizes nurturing and discipline

	“Wooden comb”
duafI Duafe	Symbolizes beauty and cleanliness

	“You did not say goodbye when you left home”
fihankra Fihankra	Symbolizes security and safety

	“Ram’s horns”
jInnimmen Dwennimmen	Symbolizes humility together with strength

	“The Moon and the Star”
csram nI nsOrOmma Osram Ne Nsoromma	Symbolizes love, faithfulness and harmony

	“Conjoined crocodiles”
funtunfunEfu denQemfunEfu Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu	Democracy and unity in diversity

	“Five tufts of hair”
mpuAnum Mpuanum	Symbolizes loyalty and skillfulness

	“That which cannot be burnt”
SI wOnSI Hye Wonhye	Symbolizes imperishability and endurance

	“What I hear, I keep”
matI mAsiE Mate Masie	Symbolizes receptivity to learning and education

	“The talons of the Eagle”
ckcdIe mmcwIre Okodee Mmowere	Symbolizes strength and power

	“Wisdom Knot”
Nansapc Nyansapo	Symbol of wisdom and intelligence

	High quality hand woven fabric
nsaa Nsaa	Symbolizes quality and durability

	“Heart”
akoCma Akoma	Symbolizes love, goodwill and patience

	“God does not die, and so I cannot die”
NamI nwu na mAwu Nyame Nwu Na Mawu	Symbolizes Immortality of the Soul

	“Chain or Link”
nkcnscnkcnscn Nkonsonkonson	Symbolizes Interdependence, brotherhood and cooperation

	“Wind-resistant house”
mframadan Mframadan	Symbolizes social security, excellence and preparedness

	“Good bed”
kete pa Kete Pa	Symbolizes faith, love and hope

	“Twisting”
nQinQim Nkyinkyim	Symbol of toughness and adaptability

	“A child of the heavens” or “a star”
nsOrOmma Nsoromma	Symbol of a person who is a leader or a guardian

	“The Moon”
csram Osram	Symbol of faith, patience and understanding

	“Help me and let me help you”
bOa mI na mI mmOa wO Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo	Symbol of cooperation and interdependence

	“Love never loses its way home”
cdc nyIra fiE qan Odo Nyera Fie Kwan	Symbolize love, devotion, hope and faithfulness.

	“Seed of fofo plant”
fcfc Fofo	Symbol of warning against jealousy and covetousness.

	“War horn”
akOben Akoben	Symbolizes courage

	“The state ceremonial swords”
akOfIna Akofena	Symbolizes courage

	“Shaving on the back of Gyawu’s head”
ZAwu Atikc Gyawu Atiko	Symbolizes bravery and honor.

	“Special hair style of Kwatakye, a war captain of old Asante”
qataQI Atikc Kwatakye Atiko	Symbolizes bravery and honor.

	“Thing to remove evil”
musuyidIe Musuyidee	Symbolizes sanctity, good fortune and enlightenment.

	“The ladder of death”
owuo atwIdIe Owuo Atwedee	Symbolizes mortality and the physical body.

	The “Soul”
sunsum Sunsum	Symbolizes cleanliness of spirit and spirituality

	“Tree of God”
NamI dua Nyame Dua	Signifies the presence and protection of God.

	“Calm”
ajo Adwo	Signifies peace, tranquility and quietness.

	“Totality of the universe”
abcdI santann Abode Santann	Signifies totality of natural and human creation.

	“He/She who wants to be a king”
nIa cpe se obEdi hInI Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene	Symbol of service and the qualities of a leader.

	“If your hands are in the dish”
wO nsa dA mu a Wo Nsa Da Mu A	Symbolizes democracy and participatory government

	“All the peppers on the same tree do not ripen simultaneously”
mAko Ninaa mpAtu mmIrI Mako Nyinaa Mpatu Mmere	Symbolizes unique individual talents and unequal development.

	“Potsherd (Broken pot)”
QemfIre Kyemfere	Symbolize experience, service and antiquity.

	“Fragrance” or “Powerful aroma”
Adu hwam Adu Hwam	The king’s authority and power is felt in all households in his kingdom.

	“A medicinal seed”
aprukuma Aprukuma	A medicinal seed use to treat infections.

	“Death killed God”
owuo kum NamI Owuo Kum Nyame	Symbolizes the invincibility of death and the power of God to overcome death.

	“Spider web”
anansI ntOntan Ananse Ntontan	Symbolizes wisdom, creativity and the complexities of life.

	“Power is like an egg”
tumI tI se kosua Tumi Te Se Kosua	Symbolizes the delicacy of political power, fragility of democracy and restraint.

	“Fake Moslem”
kramo bcnI Kramo Bone	Symbol of the need for critical inquiry, warning against quackery and hypocrisy.

	“Change your character”
sIsa wO suban Sesa Wo Suban	Symbol of warning against arrogance, bad manners and negative behavior.

	“Thumb”
kokuromotiE Kokuromotie	Symbol of cooperation, teamwork and harmony.

	“The King’s eyes”
chInI Aniwa Ohene Aniwa	Symbol of vigilance, farsightedness, authority and power.

	“God, the builder”
osiadan NamI Osiadan Nyame	Symbol of God, the Builder and Creator.

	“United hearts”
akOma ntOasO Akoma Ntoaso	Symbol of agreement, togetherness and unity.

	“God is King”
NamI ye chInI Nyame Ye Ohene	Symbol of Majesty and Supremacy of God.

	“Palm Tree”
abe dua Abe Dua	Symbol of wealth, resourcefulness and self sufficiency.

	“We shall meet again”
yEbESia bio Yebehyia Bio	Symbolizes friendliness and hospitality.

	“Welcome”
aqaaba Akwaaba	Symbolizes friendliness and hospitality.

	“Fortress”
aban Aban	Symbolizes seat of power, strength and authority.

	“Drum”
dono Dono	Symbolizes appellation, praise, goodwill and rhythm.

	“Extended drum”
dono ntOasO Dono Ntoaso	Symbolizes unified action, vigilance and rejoicing.

	“King’s stool”
chInI Aja Ohene Adwa	Symbol of Authority and leadership.

	“Gun and States Sword”
tuo nI akOfIna Tuo Ne Akofena	Symbol of defense.

	“Royal Soul Pendant”
chInI kra kcnmudI Ohene Kra Konmude	Symbolizes the leadership of the king.

	“King’s Crown”
chInI Qe Ohene Kye	Symbolizes royalty and legitimate authority to rule.

	“King’s Umbrella”
chECnEC Qinie Ohene Kyinie	Symbol of Kingship

	“Good King”
chInI papa Ohene Papa	Symbol of good governance.

	“The King is Dead”
chInI wuo ye ya Ohene Wuo Ye Ya	Symbolizes transition or passing of the king.

	“No matter how red-eyed one becomes, his/her eyes do not spark flames.”
Ani bIrI a ensc Za Ani bere a enso gya	Symbolizes diligence and perseverance.

	“UAC lights”
uaC nkanIa UAC nkanea	Symbolizes technological advancement.

	Two groups Kuronti and Akwamu that form the council of a town.
kuronti nI aqAmu Kuronti ne Akwamu	Symbolizes democracy, sharing ideas, and taking council.

	“Good family”
Abusua pa Abusua pa	Signifies family unity, kinship ties, and the importance of family support.