Adinkra Symbols
History and Culture
Adinkra symbols are a beautiful and meaningful representation of Ghanaian culture and history, and their continued use and popularity serves as a testament to their enduring significance.
The Ashanti created Adinkras to represent proverbs, aspects of life, historical events, or the environment and each symbol has a unique meaning and significance.
The use of Adinkra symbols is deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture, and they hold great significance in both religious and secular contexts. They are often used in ceremonies, such as funerals, weddings, and naming ceremonies, as well as in everyday life. Though the symbols are still important in local culture, they have also received global recognition, expanding their use beyond imprints in cloth for ceremonial events.
Denkyem means “crocodile.” It is a symbol of adaptability and cleverness.
symbols and meanings
ananse ntentan
ananse ntentan
ananse ntentan
“Spiders Web”
A symbol representing wisdom, craftiness, creativity, and the complexities of life.
"Ananse", the spider in Akan folklore, is crafty and creative, and always outwitting his contemporaries by fair or foul means.
aya
ananse ntentan
ananse ntentan
"Fern"
A symbol representing endurance, independence, defiance against difficulties, hardiness, perseverance, and resourcefulness.
The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places.
denkyem
ananse ntentan
denkyem
“Crocodile”
A symbol representing adaptability and cleverness.
from the proverb,
“Ɔdɛnkyɛm da nsuo mu nanso ɔhome mframa,”
meaning
“The crocodile lives in water yet it breathes air.”
duafe
ananse ntentan
denkyem
"Wooden Comb"
A symbol representing
feminine qualities such as
love and care.
The duafe was a prized possession of the Akan woman, used to comb and plait hair.
dwennimmen
sankofa (bird)
dwennimmen
"Rams Horns"
A symbol representing strength, humility, wisdom, and learning.
The symmetrical arrangement is inspired by the orientation of ram horns during their confrontations or fights.
Nkyinkyim
sankofa (bird)
dwennimmen
"Twisting"
A symbol representing the nature of life’s journey, requiring one to be versatile and resilient to survive.
From the proverb
"Ɔbra kwan yɛ nkyinkyimii" meaning
“Life’s journey is twisted”
sankofa
sankofa (bird)
sankofa (bird)
"Go Back and Get It"
A symbol representing the importance of learning
from the past.
From the proverb “Se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenkyiri.”
meaning if you forget and go back to get it, there is nothing wrong with that.
sankofa (bird)
sankofa (bird)
sankofa (bird)
"Go Back and Get It"
A symbol representing the importance of learning
from the past.
Sankofa has two symbols.
In this symbol, the bird is turning backwards to reach an egg (the past).
wawa aba
wawa aba
wawa aba
"Seed of the Wawa Tree"
A symbol of hardiness, toughness and perseverance
The seed of the wawa tree is extremely hard and is a symbol of someone who is strong and tough. It inspires the individual to persevere through hardship.