| The Language of Symbols Symbols remind us. They sometimes tell stories, now and then they tell history, they always “tell” meaning. Often emblems for concepts and beliefs, a symbol is something that represents something else. Consider ancient civilizations symbols for the sun. Not only did their symbols depict the physical star, but it spoke of all the Sun’s worth to the their individual cultures. Here at Jendayi Collection we know that symbols have the unique ability to focus the attention, and heighten an intention. Along with imagination they can help you reach a goal or more fully realize a concept. Consider the Peace Symbol widely used in the 1960’s. Use and create them in love and wisdom. *more… |
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| Aum•(OM) Sanksrit, Hindu. The Supreme and most sacred syllable. Considered to be the sound of the Absolute. *more… |
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Spiral• Various Cultures. Continuum of Life. Ghana “Abode Santen”, Eternity and Divinity of the Creator and Creation. |
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Triple Spiral• Spiral of Life. Found both in Pre Columbian America and in the Bronze Age. (Triskele) Celtic |
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Yin/Yang• Taoist concept. Illustrates the idealized equilibrium of forces in the universe. Yin (Moon) feminine, receptive, passive, Yang (Sun) masculine, force, movement |
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Cowry Shell• Widely known in various cultures. Symbol of wealth and prosperity. Also: womanhood, fertility, birth |
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The Heart• Universal symbol of Love. Egypt: Truth. Ghana: “Akoma”: Patience & Tolerance. Early science & philosophy: The Seat of Thought, Reason or Emotion. |
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Peace• One of the most widely known symbols in the world. Originally stands for Nuclear Disarmament. *more... |
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Ankh Angel™ - Jendayi• “Who wears this symbol has journeyed, through insight, to guard and guide spiritual beings in collecting more keys of life.” Keeper of the Keys of Life |
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Egyptian Symbols *more.. |
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The Eye of Horus• (Originally,The Eye of Ra) Ancient Egyptian symbol of protection and power, from the deity Horus or Ra.The Eye of God. All Seeing, All Knowing *more.. |
| The Shen• (Coiled Rope) Egyptian Hieroglyphic.. Emblem of Divinity. When surrounding a name, it signifies that the person named is under divine protection, and is called a shenu: | |
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The Ankh• ( Life) Also called The Key of Life. Female & Male joined as one. *more… |
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Hieroglyphics• Ancient Egyptian system of pictures from which their alphabet was formed (used for Cartouches and more) *more… |
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Cartouche• The oval band symbolizing continuity, which enclosed a god’s or pharaoh’s name. The Ancient Egyptian word for it was shenu, and it was essentially an expanded shen ring. *more… |
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Scarab• (self-generation and rebirth) The scarab is the symbol of Ra, the Sun God of the Egyptians. In his scarab aspect, Ra was called Khepera. Scarab beetles lay their eggs in dung, which they roll into a ball and roll into a hole. The Egyptians equated this with the movement of the sun and its daily resurrection. The opening and closing of the scarab's colorful wings symbolized night and day. more… |
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Pyramid• In Ancient Egypt, a pyramid was referred to as mer, literally "place of ascendance." also considered to represent: life and resurrection, mystery, a temple, precision symbolising the idea of perfection that its shape represented), the sloping rays of the sun as a source of eternal strength and energy. more… |
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Adinkra Symbols |
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| Originally produced by the Gyaaman clans of the Ivory Coast. Over time the Asante (West Africa- Ghana) further developed adinkra symbology, incorporating their own philosophies, folk-tales and culture. They are often accompanied by proverbs, and maxims. *more… | |
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Adinkrahene• (Chief of the Adinkra Symbols) Eternal nature of kingship. |
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Gye Nyame• (Except God/’Tis Only God) Often called the Mother of Adinkra Symbols. It speaks of the Omnipotence, Omniscience and Omnipresence of God. Proverb “This Divine Creation comes from a long past. No one knows the beginning or end except God.” |
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Nkonsonkonson• (Chain Link) Unity, Interdependence, Co-Operation. Family links. “We are linked in both life and death. Those who share common blood relations never break apart”. In unity lies strength. |
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Nyame Biribi Wo Soro• (God, There is Something in the Heavens!) A reminder of the greatness of God, and man’s reliance upon God. Proverb “God there is something in the heavens, pray let it reach me!” |
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Nyame Dua• (An Altar of God) The presence and protection of God. The tree of God is a sacred place where purifications and blessing are performed. |
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Nyame Nwu Na Mawu• (I Live Not When God Is Not) Immortality, Eternal Existence of man’s spirit. Continuity of Life “God never dies so I cannot diie” |
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Nyame Nti• (By God's Grace) Symbol of faith and trust in God, similar to Gye Nyame. Proverb: “Since God exists, I will not feed on leaves (like an animal or beast) |
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Denkyem• (Crocodile) Adaptability. The crocodile lives in the water, yet breathes the air, exhibiting the ability to adapt to circumstances. |
| Denkyem• (another version) | |
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Akoben• (War Horn) Call to action vigilance and wariness. Akoben is a horn used to sound a battle cry. |
| Akoben• (another version) | |
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Akoma Ntoso• (The Joined Hearts) Understanding & agreement. “Hearts joined together by God can never be separated by man”. Also: a symbol of a charter. |
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Aware Pa• (Good Marriage) Sanctity of Marriage, Devotion, Patience & Love. Proverb: “Marriage thrives and blossoms on the farm of patience.” |
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Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan• (Love Does Not Get Lost On Its Way Home) The power of love. Proverb: “Love lights its own path. It never gets lost on its way home.” |
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Osram Ne Nsoromma• (The Moon and the Star) Faithfulness, Loyalty harmony & interdependence of man and woman in marriage. Femininity. Proverb: “The North Star so cherishes marriage she is always in the sky waiting for the return of the Moon her Husband” |
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Funtunfunefu Denkyemfunefu• (Siamese Crocodiles) The need for unity in diversity, particularly where there is one destiny. Proverb: “Two headed crocodile which struggles for food that goes into one stomach.” A reminder of the oneness of the human family, despite cultural differences. |
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Dwennimmen• (Ram's Horns) Symbol of humility together with strength (body, mind, soul) Proverb: “The ram may bully, not with its horns but with his heart.” |
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Mpatapo• (Knot of Reconciliation and Hope) Wisdom knot. Pacification/peacemaking. The knot that binds parties in a dispute |
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Sankofa Heart• (Go Back and Fetch It) Sankofa Heart- Respect for heritage, history and wisdom of the elders. The curved ends represent reaching back to retrieve and revive the honorable and useful aspects of ones past to guide the present and future. |
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Sankofa Bird• Revival, Revitalization, also leaning from the past to build the future... “It is not forbidden to go back and retrieve from a forgotten past” You can always undo your mistakes. |
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Dono• (The Tension Talking Drum) Symbol of praise, goodwill and rhythm |
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Dono Ntoaso• (The Double Tension Talking Drum) Co-operation, alertness, and unity. Goodwill, rejoicing. Two drums must work in concord to produce a harmonious sound. |
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Akoko Nan• (The Leg of a Hen) Ideal nature of parents: protective, nurturing and corrective. An exhortation to nurture children, but a warning not to pamper them. Proverb: "If the hen treads on her chicks, it does not mean to kill them." |
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Hye Won Hye• (That Which Does Not Burn) Imperishability of self or of chief of state. Endurance, Permanence. Inspired from traditional priests that were able to walk on fire without burning their feet, an inspiration to others to endure and overcome difficulties. Also: Symbol of forgiveness |
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Kwatakye Atiiko• (Hair Style of Kwatakye) Represents the hairstyle of an Asante war hero. Symbol of bravery and valor |
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Duafe• (The Wooden Comb) Beauty and cleanliness. Symbol of desirable feminine qualities |
| Damedame• (The Checkerboard Game) Symbol of intelligence and ingenuity. | |
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Hwe Mu Dua• (Measuring Rod) Examination and quality control. This symbol stresses the need to strive for the best quality, whether in production of goods or in human endeavors |
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Kramo Bone Amma Yeanhu Kramo Pa• (The Bad Muslim Makes it Difficult for the Good One to be Recognized) Warning against deception and hypocrisy |
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Nsoromma• (Child of the Stars) A symbol of faith & reminder that God watches over all. Proverb: “A child of the Supreme Being, I do not depend on myself. My illumination is only a reflection of His” |
| Dabi Me Nsoromma Bepue• (My Star Will Shine One Day) Hope, Faith, Aspiration, Confidence. Proverb: “All the (fruit) do not ripen at the same time” (All the stars do not shine at the same time. Mine will shine some day) | |
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Me Ware WO• (I shall marry you) Symbol of commitment, perseverance From the expression "No one rushes into the job of mixing the concrete for building the house of marriage." |
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Sesa Wo Suban• (I transform my life) This symbol combines the Adinkra symbol "Morning Star" which can mean a new start to the day, placed inside the wheel (Adinkra symbol), representing rotation or independent movement. |
| Even More on Adinkra Symbols | |
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