Adinkra Symbol Archive

The Akan had a symbol
for every way a person can be.

A documented record of Adinkra symbols — their meanings, histories, proverbs, and place within the Akan system of living.

If you seek something greater If you're navigating change If you lead others If you value wisdom
78 symbols documented

Onyankopon Adom Nti Biribiara Beye Yie Adinkra symbol — by God's grace all will be well, hope providence faith, Akan wisdom
Orientation

Onyankopon Adom Nti Biribiara Beye Yie — By God's Grace All Will Be Well

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Nyame Ye Ohene Adinkra symbol — God is King, majesty and supremacy of God, Akan wisdom
Orientation

Nyame Ye Ohene — The Adinkra Symbol of Divine Majesty & Supremacy

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Nyame Baatanpa Adinkra symbol — God the good parent, caring and nurturing of God over all creation, Akan wisdom
Orientation

Nyame Baatanpa — The Adinkra Symbol of Divine Care

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Sepow Adinkra symbol — the executioner's knife, justice and the enforcement of law, Akan wisdom
Action

Sepow — The Executioner's Knife, The Symbol of Justice

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Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene Adinkra symbol — service as the precondition of leadership, Akan wisdom
Action

Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene — The Adinkra Symbol of Service & Leadership

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Ohene Adwa — the king's stool, symbol of authority, leadership, and the weight of royal office
Action

Ohene Adwa — The Adinkra Symbol of Authorithy & Leadership

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Mmra Krado — Adinkra symbol of law, authority, justice, and the seal of order
Protection

Mmra Krado — The Adinkra Symbol of Law, Authority, Justice, & the Seal of Order

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Akoko Nan — The Adinkra Symbol of Parental Love, Nurturing & Discipline
Protection

Akoko Nan — The Adinkra Symbol of Parental Love, Nurturing & Discipline

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Mpuannum — The Adinkra Symbol of Femininity and Adornment
Protection

Mpuannum — The Adinkra Symbol of Femininity and Adornment

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Owia A Repue — the Adinkra symbol representing the rising sun and the genuine renewal each new day carries; the threshold between night and morning
Protection

Owia A Repue — The Adinkra Symbol of the Rising Sun, New Beginnings & Renewal

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Abode Santann Adinkra symbol — the totality of the universe, natural and social creation, Akan wisdom
Protection

Abode Santann — The Adinkra Symbol of the Universe

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Nsoromma — The Adinkra Symbol of Child of God & Divine Guardianship
Protection

Nsoromma — The Adinkra Symbol of Child of God & Divine Guardianship

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Fihankra — The Adinkra Symbol of Safety and Community
Protection

Fihankra — The Adinkra Symbol of Safety and Community

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Okuafo Pa Adinkra symbol — the good farmer, diligence, hard work and entrepreneurship, Akan wisdom
Continuance

Okuafo Pa — The Adinkra Symbol of Diligence & Hard Work

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Fofo — the Adinkra symbol representing jealousy and envy; a caution against the self-corrosion that comes from measuring your life against another's
Character

Fofo — The Adinkra Symbol of Jealousy, Envy & the Danger of Coveting Another's Good

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Kuntunkantan — the Adinkra symbol representing arrogance, self-inflation, and the danger of contempt; a caution against forgetting one's dependence on others
Character

Kuntunkantan — The Adinkra Symbol of Arrogance, Self-Inflation & Contempt

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Adwo — The Adinkra Symbol of Peace and Serenity
Character

Adwo — The Adinkra Symbol of Peace and Serenity

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Me Ware Wo — I shall marry you, symbol of commitment and perseverance
Relationship

Me Ware Wo — The Adinkra Symbol of Commitment & Marriage

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Dwantire — the Adinkra symbol representing tenacity, strength, and the determined refusal to be turned by what is difficult
Continuance

Dwantire — The Adinkra Symbol of Tenacity, Strength & Overcoming Obstacles

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Agyinduwura Adinkra symbol — Agyin's gong, faithfulness, alertness and dutifulness in devoted service, Akan wisdom
Character

Agyinduwura — The Adinkra Symbol of Faithfulness & Devoted Service

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Menso Wo Kenten — Adinkra symbol of industry, self-reliance, and economic self-determination
Relationship

Menso Wo Kenten — The Adinkra Symbol of Industry, Self-reliance, & Economic Self-determination

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Pagya — the Adinkra symbol representing fire, transformation, and resilience; the refining power that burns away what is not essential and reveals what remains
Character

Pagya — The Adinkra Symbol of Fire, Transformation & the Power of Change

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Agyin Dawuru — Agyin's gong, symbol of faithfulness, alertness, and dutifulness
Character

Agyin Dawuru — The Adinkra Symbol of Faithfulness & Duty

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Mmeramubere — Adinkra symbol of the female cross, warmth, sunshine, and vitality
Character

Mmeramubere — The Adinkra Symbol of the Female Cross, Warmth, & vitality

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Kramo Bone Amma Yeanhu Kramo Pa — Adinkra symbol of warning against deception and hypocrisy
Character

Kramo Bone — The Adinkra Symbol of Warning Against Deception & Hypocrisy

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Okodee Mmowere — The Adinkra Symbol of Strength, Courage & the Talons of the Eagle
Character

Okodee Mmowere — The Adinkra Symbol of Strength, Courage & the Talons of the Eagle

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Akoben — The Adinkra Symbol of Vigilance & the Call to Action
Character

Akoben — The Adinkra Symbol of Vigilance & the Call to Action

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Tabono — The Adinkra Symbol of Hard Work & Strength
Character

Tabono — The Adinkra Symbol of Hard Work & Strength

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Ani Bere A Enso Gya — The Adinkra Symbol of Patience and Self-Discipline | Afrofa
Character

Ani Bere A Enso Gya — The Adinkra Symbol of Patience and Self-Discipline | Afrofa

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Owo Foro Adobe — The Adinkra Symbol of Persistence
Continuance

Owo Foro Adobe — The Adinkra Symbol of Persistence

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Sesa Wo Suban — The Adinkra Symbol of Transformation
Character

Sesa Wo Suban — The Adinkra Symbol of Transformation

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Wawa Aba — The Adinkra symbol of Hardiness and Perseverance
Continuance

Wawa Aba — The Adinkra symbol of Hardiness and Perseverance

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Oheneba Adinkra symbol — child of the king, nobility and good character, Akan wisdom
Identity

Oheneba — The Adinkra Symbol of Nobility & Good Character

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Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo — the Adinkra symbol of mutual aid and cooperation; the phrase that names both asking and offering in a single breath
Relationship

Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo — The Adinkra Symbol of Mutual Aid & Cooperation

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Nkyimu — the Adinkra symbol representing skillfulness and precision; the crossing cuts that are possible only when the person making them truly knows what they are doing
Identity

Nkyimu — The Adinkra Symbol of Skillfulness, Precision & the Excellence of Mastery

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Mako — The Adinkra Symbol of Individuality & the Unevenness of Experience
Identity

Mako — The Adinkra Symbol of Individuality & the Unevenness of Experience

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Fawohodie — The Adinkra Symbol of Freedom
Identity

Fawohodie — The Adinkra Symbol of Freedom

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Gyawu Atiko Adinkra symbol — the back of Gyawu's head, valour and bravery, Akan wisdom
Identity

Gyawu Atiko — The Adinkra Symbol of Valour & Bravery

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Nserewa — Adinkra symbol of cowries, affluence, wealth, and sacredness
Identity

Nserewa — The Adinkra Symbol of Affluence, Wealth, & Sacredness

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Epa — the Adinkra symbol representing law, captivity, and the binding force of authority; one of the few Adinkra symbols that names an instrument of coercion directly
Identity

Epa — The Adinkra Symbol of Law, Captivity & the Binding Force of Authority

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he Adinkra Symbol of Excellence, Quality and the Genuine Article
Identity

Nsaa — The Adinkra Symbol of Excellence, Quality and the Genuine Article

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Denkyem — The Adinkra symbol of Adaptability and Cleverness
Identity

Denkyem — The Adinkra symbol of Adaptability and Cleverness

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Tamfo Bebre — The Adinkra Symbol of Envy and Resilience
Continuance

Tamfo Bebre — The Adinkra Symbol of Envy and Resilience

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Bi Nka Bi — The Adinkra Symbol of Harmony and Justice
Relationship

Bi Nka Bi — The Adinkra Symbol of Harmony and Justice

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Nea Onnim — The Adinkra symbol of Knowledge and Lifelong Learning
Perception

Nea Onnim — The Adinkra symbol of Knowledge and Lifelong Learning

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Osram ne Nsoromma — The Adinkra symbol of Love and Faithfulness
Relationship

Osram ne Nsoromma — The Adinkra symbol of Love and Faithfulness

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Nteasee Adinkra symbol — understanding and cooperation, the capacity that makes communal life possible, Akan wisdom
Relationship

Nteasee — The Adinkra Symbol of Understanding & Cooperation

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Ohene Aniwa Adinkra symbol — the king's eyes, vigilance, far-sightedness, intelligence, and protection, Akan wisdom
Perception

Ohene Aniwa — The Adinkra Symbol of Vigilance & Far-Sightedness

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Ananse Ntontan — The Adinkra symbol of Wisdom and Creativity
Perception

Ananse Ntontan — The Adinkra symbol of Wisdom and Creativity

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Nyansapo — The Adinkra symbol of Wisdom & Intelligence
Perception

Nyansapo — The Adinkra symbol of Wisdom & Intelligence

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Hwemudua — the Adinkra symbol representing examination, quality, and the honest standard that applies to the one who holds the stick as much as to what is being measured
Perception

Hwemudua — The Adinkra Symbol of Examination, Quality & the Standard That Does Not Bend

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Dame-Dame — The Adinkra Symbol of Intelligence & Strategy
Perception

Dame-Dame — The Adinkra Symbol of Intelligence & Strategy

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Abe Dua — the palm tree, symbol of wealth, resourcefulness, and self-sufficiency
Foundation

Abe Dua — The Adinkra Symbol of the Wealth & Resourcefulness

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Asetena Pa — good living, symbol of wealth and the forgetfulness it can bring
Foundation

Asetena Pa — The Adinkra Symbol of Good Living

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Kete Pa — the good bed, symbol of marriage and care
Foundation

Kete Pa — The Adinkra Symbol of Good Marriage

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Mframadan — Adinkra symbol of resilience and readiness to face the vicissitudes of life
Foundation

Mframadan — The Adinkra Symbol of Resilience & Readiness to Face the Vicissitudes of Life

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Woforo Dua Pa A — The Adinkra Symbol of Support, Cooperation & Good Alliance
Foundation

Woforo Dua Pa A — The Adinkra Symbol of Support, Cooperation & Good Alliance

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Aban — The Adinkra Symbol of Strength, Authority & the Seat of Power
Foundation

Aban — The Adinkra Symbol of Strength, Authority & the Seat of Power

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Pempamsie — The Adinkra Symbol of Readiness & Strength
Foundation

Pempamsie — The Adinkra Symbol of Readiness & Strength

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Nkonsonkonson — The Adinkra symbol of Unity and Community
Foundation

Nkonsonkonson — The Adinkra symbol of Unity and Community

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Nyame Nwu Na Mawu Adinkra symbol — the immortality of the human soul, faith in God, Akan wisdom
Foundation

Nyame Nwu Na Mawu — The Adinkra Symbol of the Immortal Soul

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Sunsum — The Adinkra Symbol of Spirit and Spiritual Strength
Foundation

Sunsum — The Adinkra Symbol of Spirit and Spiritual Strength

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Owuo Atwedee — The Adinkra Symbol of Mortality and Humility
Foundation

Owuo Atwedee — The Adinkra Symbol of Mortality and Humility

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Asase Ye Duru — The Adinkra Symbol of Sustainability
Foundation

Asase Ye Duru — The Adinkra Symbol of Sustainability

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Mate Masie — The Adinkra Symbol of Wisdom & Deep Listening
Perception

Mate Masie — The Adinkra Symbol of Wisdom & Deep Listening

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Akoma — The Adinkra symbol of Patience & Tolerance
Character

Akoma — The Adinkra symbol of Patience & Tolerance

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Akofena — The Adinkra symbol of Courage and Valour
Action

Akofena — The Adinkra symbol of Courage and Valour

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Mpatapo — The Adinkra Symbol of Reconciliation and Peace
Relationship

Mpatapo — The Adinkra Symbol of Reconciliation and Peace

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Nkyinkyim — The Adinkra symbol of Adaptability and Dynamism
Identity

Nkyinkyim — The Adinkra symbol of Adaptability and Dynamism

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Funtumfunefu Denkyemfunefu — The Adinkra symbol of Unity
Relationship

Funtumfunefu Denkyemfunefu — The Adinkra symbol of Unity

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Bese Saka Adinkra symbol — a sack of cola nuts representing wealth, abundance, and the Akan philosophy that prosperity only becomes real when it is shared
Relationship

Bese Saka — The Adinkra symbol of Wealth and Unity

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Nyame Biribi Wo Soro Adinkra symbol — a symbol of hope and divine providence representing the Akan belief that God holds something in the heavens in readiness for those who remain open
Orientation

Nyame Biribi — The Adinkra symbol of Hope & Divine providence

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Adinkrahene Adinkra symbol — three concentric circles representing the chief of all Adinkra symbols, embodying leadership, greatness, and the generative source from which all other symbols grew
Foundation

Adinkrahene — The Adinkra symbol of Leadership

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Aya Adinkra symbol — a stylised fern representing endurance, defiance, and the quiet persistence of something that grows where other things cannot
Continuance

Aya — The symbol of Endurance, Defiance, & Independence

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Dwennimmen Adinkra symbol — two ram's horns curving back on themselves, representing the Akan teaching that true strength is inseparable from humility and the wisdom to know when to yield
Character

Dwennimmen: The Adinkra symbol of Strength, Humility & Wisdom

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Duafe Adinkra symbol — a wooden comb representing feminine virtue, beauty, care, and the Akan understanding that how you tend to yourself shapes how you move through the world
Identity

Duafe: The Adinkra symbol of Feminine Virtue and Beauty

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Gye Nyame Adinkra symbol — the most widely recognised symbol in Akan culture, a declaration meaning "except for God, I fear nothing", representing divine supremacy and spiritual certainty
Orientation

Gye Nyame: The symbol that says everything in two words

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Sankofa Adinkra symbol — a bird flying forward with its head turned back, representing the Akan wisdom that the past is a resource, and that returning for what you left behind is not weakness but knowledge
Perception

Sankofa: The Adinkra Symbol of Wisdom, Memory, and Return

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No symbols found.