Adinkra Symbols

Gye Nyame (except God). Symbol of the Omnipotence and immortality of God.

Funtunfunafu denkyem funafu won afuru bom nso worididi a na wo ko." Sharing one stomach yet they fight over food.

Odenkyem (crocodile) da nsuo mu nso ohome nsuo ne mframa. The crocodile lives in the water yet it breathes air, not water.

Bi-nka-bi. Obi nka obi (bite not one another). Avoid conflicts. Symbol of Unity.

Osrane (moon). "Osrane nnfiti preko ntware man." It takes the moon sometime to go round the nation.

Kramo-bone amma yanhu kramo-pa. We cannot tell a good mohammedan from a bad one. The fake and the genuine look alike because of hypocrisy.

Nsaa (a kind of blanket). Nea onim nsaa na oto nago.

Fofoo. SE die fofoo pE ne sE gyinantwi abo bedie. What the fofoo plant wants is that the gyinantwi seeds should turn black. Symbol of jealousy.

Adinkra hene (Adinkra king). Chief of all the adinkra designs. Forms the basis of adinkera printing.

Dwanimen (Ram's horn). "Dwonnin ye asise a ode n'akorana na ennye ne mben." It is the heart and not the horns that leads a ram to bully.Concealment.

Mpuannum (Nkontimsofo o Puaa). Five tufts of hair. A traditionally fashionable hair style.

Hye wo nyhe (the one who burns you be not burned). Symbol of forgiveness. Turn the other cheek.

Nkonsonkonso (link or chain). We are linked in both life and death. Those who share common blood relations never break apart. Symbol of human relations.

Owuo Atwedie Baako Nfo (obiara bewu). All men climb the ladder of death.

Sepow (knife used in executions). This is thrust through the victim's cheeks to prevent his invoking a curse on the king.

Gyamu atiko. This is said to be the design shaved by Gyawu, a once Bantamahene.

Sankofa (return and fetch it). "SE wo werE fi na wosankofa a yenkyi." It is no taboo to return and fetch it when you forget. You can always undo your mistakes.

Nhwimu (crossing). The divisions done on to the plain cloth before the stamping is done.

Keerapa (Musu yide). Good fortune sanctity. "Kerapa te se okera.Okyiri fi." Sanctity like a cat. Abhors filth. Symbol of sanctity and good fortune.

Fihankra (the circular house of complete house). This signifies safety or security in a home.

Nyame nwu na mawu. If Nyame (God) dies, then I may die. Perpetual existence.

Ohene niwa (in the king's eye). The king has lots of eyes and nothing is hidden from him.

Akoma (the heart). "Nya akoma (take heart)." Have patience. Symbol of patience and endurance.

Biribi wo soro. "Nyame biribi wo soro na ma embeka mensa (God there is something in the heavens, let it reach me.)." A symbol of hope.

Nsoroma (a child of the heavens). "Obu Nyankon soroma te Nyame na onte neho so (A child of the Supreme Being I do not depend on myself. My illumination is only a reflection of His.)."

Krado - mmra krado (Seal of law and order). Symbolizing the authority of the court.

KodeE mowerEwa (the talons of the eagle). This is said to be shaved on the heads of some court attendants.

Aya (the firn). This word also means 'I am not afraid of you.' A symbol of defiance.

Osrane ne nsoroma (moon and star). A symbol of faithfulness.

Nyame dua (an altar to the sky God). Altar, place of worship.

Mframa-dan (wind house). House built to stand windy and treacherous conditions.

Aban (fence). Representing fenced homes. A protector. Double security. Safe and sound. Fool-proof.

Anibere a enso gya, nka mani abere koo. Seriousness does not show fiery eyes else you will see my face all red.

Ohen tuo (The king's gun). Defender or protector of the king.

Ako-ben (war horn). The sound of Akoben is a battle cry, hence it symbolizes a call to arms.

Nkyin kyin (ohema nkyinkyin). Changing one's self. Playing many roles.

Wawa Aba (the seed of the wawa tree). 'Wawa' is a hard wood used in carving, hence its significance in Akan culture.

Kuntinkantan (do not boast). There is need for humility and servitude.

Ntesie-matemasie (I have heard and kept it). "Nyansa bun mu nne mate masie." Symbol of wisdom and knowledge.

Akoko nan tiaba na enkum ba (The hen treads upon its chicks, but it does not kill them).

Epa (handcuffs). "Onii a n epa da wo nsa no, ne akowa ne wo." You are the slave of him whose handcuffs you wear.

Adinkerahene. Another version of Adinkerahene. Unlike the other version of this symbol, this symbol is used as a symbol in itself for printing.

Nnonowa (Ahoma). Also called "dono ntoaso" (the double dono drum).This is more symbolic rather than representational.

Duafe (the wooden comb). One of the very few representational forms in adinkera patterns.

Kontire ne Akwam (elders of the state). "Tikorommpam." One head does not constitute a council.

Mmra krado (seal of the law). Symbolizing supreme authority.

Owo foro adobE (snake climbing the palm). Performing the unusual or the impossible.

Ako-ben (war horn). Another significant version of the war horn which symbolizes a call to arms.

Penpamsie (that which will not crush). "Penpamsie see bebirebe ahooden ne koroye." Unity in strength.

Sunsum (soul). Some Akans believe that the soul of a ruler inhabits a younger courtier.

Bese saka (a bunch of cola nuts). Bese (cola nut) is the favorite of the northern tribes.

Tabon (paddle). Paddles are more common with coastal tribes.

Pa gya (to strike fire or make fire). This is said to represent war.

Dono (drum). This symbol is more like the dono drum than the other symbol for the dono drum.

Akoma Ntoaso A symbol of agreement or a charter.

Funtunfunafu denkyem funafu, won afuru bom nso worididi a na wo ko. Another version of this symbol. Need for unity, particularly where there is one destiny.

Ese ne keterEma (the teeth and tongue). "Wonnwo ba ne se." No child is born with its teeth. We improve and advance.

Dame-Dame (a draft game). A more traditionally popular game is oware.

Sankofa Another Sankofa design. It could be a broken piece from the original design.

Afena (a state ceremonial sword). "Akofena kunim ko a, wobo afena kye no safohene." The retiring great warrior always has a royal sword of rest. Recognition of gallantry.

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