11/2/2017 Adinkra Symbols and how they are used in lifestyle today

Search..

(http://www.orijinculture.com/community)

ADINKRA SYMBOLS AND HOW THEY ARE USED IN

LIFESTYLE TODAY
orijinc

re)

#BIOrijin (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/orijin/roots/)

witter
om/A
aB)
hary_

You probably have seen a few of these symbols before but never knew what they were. Adinkra symbols are
now being used as tattoos.
witter
eresaA
om/M
edi)

ADINKRAHENE: Chief of the adinkra symbols

This is symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership. This symbol is said to have played an inspiring role in
the designing of other symbols. it signi es the importance of playing a leadership role.

AKOBEN: war horn

symbol of vigilance and wariness.Akoben is a horn used to sound a battle cry.
(http://www. ickr.com/photos/323237
Image by macgenie
AKOFENA: sword of war (http://www. ickr.com/photos/32323799@N00/
symbol of courage, valor, and heroism. The crossed swords were a popular motif in the heraldic shields of via Flickr

many former Akan states. In addition to recognizing courage and valor, the swords can represent legitimate
state authority.

AKOKO NAN: the leg of a hen

symbol of nurturing and discipline. The full name of this symbol translates to The hen treads on her chicks, but she does not kill them. This represents
the ideal nature of parents, being both protective and corrective. An exhortation to nurture children, but a warning not to pamper them.

AKOMA: the heart

symbol of patience and tolerance.According to Agbo, when a person is said to have a heart in his stomach, that person is very tolerant.

AKOMA NTOSO: linked hearts

symbol of understanding and agreement.

ANANSE NTONTAN: spiders web

symbol of wisdom, creativity and the complexities of life. Ananse, the spider, is a well-known character in African folktales.

ASASE YE DURU: the Earth has weight

symbol of providence and the divinity of Mother Earth.This symbol represents the importance of the Earth in sustaining life.

AYA:fern
symbol of endurance and resourcefulness. The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in di cult places. An individual who wears this symbol suggests
that he has endured many adversities and outlasted much di culty. (Willis, The Adinkra Dictionary)

BESE SAKA:sack of cola nuts

symbol of a uence, power, abundance, plenty, togetherness and unity. The cola nut played an important role in the economic life of Ghana. A widely-
used cash crop, it is closely associated with a uence and abundance. This symbol also represents the role of agriculture and trade in bringing peoples
together.

BI NKA BI: No one should bite the other

symbol of peace and harmony. This symbol cautions against provocation and strife. The image is based on two sh biting each other tails.

BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO: Help me and let me help you

symbol of cooperation and interdependence
Source: Cloth As Metaphor by G.F. Kojo Arthur

http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/ 1/5
11/2/2017 Adinkra Symbols and how they are used in lifestyle today

DAME-DAME: name of a board game

symbol of intelligence and ingenuity

DENKYEM: crocodile
symbol of adaptability. The crocodile lives in the water, yet breathes the air, demonstrating an ability to adapt to circumstances.

DUAFE: wooden comb

symbol of beauty and cleanliness; symbols of desirable feminine qualities. The meaning of this symbol is characterized slightly differently in The
Adinkra Dictionary and The Values of Adinkra Symbols; the former emphasizes more abstract qualities of feminine goodness, love and care, while
the latter has a more literal interpretation, looking ones best and good hygiene. In any case, the duafe was a prized possession of the Akan woman,
used to comb and plait her hair.

DWENNIMMEN: rams horns

symbol of humility together with strength. The ram will ght ercely against an adversary, but it also submits humbly to slaughter, emphasizing that
even the strong need to be humble.

EBAN: fence
symbol of love, safety and security. The home to the Akan is a special place. A home which has a fence around it is considered to be an ideal residence.
The fence symbolically separates and secures the family from the outside. Because of the security and the protection that a fence affords, the symbol
is also associated with the security and safety one nds in love.

EPA:handcuffs
symbol of law and justice, slavery and captivity. Adolph Agbo, in Values of Adinkra Symbols notes that handcuffs were introduced in Africa as a result
of the slave trade, and later became popular among chiefs in cu ng offenders of the law. The symbol reminds offenders of the uncompromising
nature of the law. It however discourages all forms of slavery.

ESE NE TEKREMA: the teeth and the tongue

symbol of friendship and interdependence. The teeth and the tongue play interdependent roles in the mouth. They may come into con ict, but they
need to work together.

FAWOHODIE: independence
symbol of independence, freedom, emancipation
From the expression: Fawodhodie ene obre na enam.
Literal translation: Independence comes with its responsibilities.
from Cloth As Metaphor by G.F. Kojo Arthur

FIHANKRA:house/compound
symbol of security and safety. Typical of Akan (Asante) architecture, the communal housing compound has only one entrance and exit.

FOFO: yellow owered plant

symbol of jealousy and envy. When the fofos petals drop, they turn into black spiky-like seeds. The Akan liken the nature of this plant to a jealous
person.
The Adinkra Dictionary by W. Bruce Willis
There is a Akan proverb associated with this symbol: What the fofo plant wishes is that the gyinantwi seeds turn black.

FUNTUNFUNEFU-DENKYEMFUNEFU: Siamese crocodiles

symbol of democracy and unity. The Siamese crocodiles share one stomach, yet they ght over food. This popular symbol is a remind that in ghting
and tribalism is harmful to all who engage in it.

GYE NYAME: except for God

symbol of the supremacy of God. This unique and beautiful symbol is ubiquitous in Ghana. It is by far the most popular for use in decoration, a
re ection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people.

HWE MU DUA: measuring stick

symbol of examination and quality control. This symbol stresses the need to strive for the best quality, whether in production of goods or in human
endeavors.

HYE WON HYE: that which does not burn

symbol of imperishability and endurance
This symbol gets its meaning from traditional priests that were able to walk on re without burning their feet, an inspiration to others to endure and
http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/ 2/5
11/2/2017 Adinkra Symbols and how they are used in lifestyle today

overcome di culties.

KETE PA: good bed

symbol of a good marriage.
From the expression that a woman who has a good marriage is said to sleep on a good bed.
See Cloth As Metaphor by G.F. Kojo Arthur, pp. 87-89

KINTINKANTAN: puffed up extravagance

symbol of arrogance

KWATAKYE ATIKO: hair style of an Asante war captain

symbol of bravery and valor
This symbols is said to be a special hair style of Kwatakye, a war captain of old Asante.
The symbol has come to represent bravery and fearlessness. It is also given as an earned title to any brave son of an Akan community.
W. Bruce Willis, The Adinkra Dictionary

MATE MASIE: What I hear, I keep

symbol of wisdom, knowledge and prudence. The implied meaning of the phrase mate masie is I understand. Understanding means wisdom and
knowledge, but it also represents the prudence of taking into consideration what another person has said.

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.
See Cloth As Metaphor by G.F. Kojo Arthur, pp. 89, 163.

MMERE DANE: time changes

symbol of change, lifes dynamics

NKONSONKONSON: chain link

symbol of unity and human relations
A reminder to contribute to the community, that in unity lies strength.

NYAME DUA: tree of god altar

symbol of Gods presence and protection
The Nyame Dua is a sacred spot where rituals are performed. Erected in front of the house or compound, it is crafted from a tree that has been cut
where three or more branches come together. This stake holds an earthenware vessell lled with water and herbs or other symbolic materials for
puri cation and blessing rituals.

NKYINKYIM: twisting
symbol of initiative, dynamism and versatility.

NYAME NNWU NA MAWU: God never dies, therefore I cannot die

symbol of Gods omnipresence and the perpetual existence of mans spirit
This signi es the immortality of mans soul, believed to be a part of God. Because the soul rests with God after death, it cannot die.

NYAME NTI: by Gods grace

symbol of faith and trust in God. similar to Gye Nyame
According to The Adinkra Dictionary by W. Bruce Willis: This stalk is depicted as the staff of life in many cultures. It symbolizes to the Akan that food is
a basis of life and that they could not survive if not for the food that God has placed here on Earth for their nourishment.

NYAME YE OHENE:God is King

symbol of majesty and supremacy of God

OKODEE MMOWERE:the talons of the eagle

symbol of strength, bravery, power. The eagle is the mightiest bird in the sky, and its strength is concentrated in its talons. The Oyoko clan, one of the
nine Akan clans, uses this symbol as their clan emblem.

OSRAM NE NSOROMMA: The Moon and the Star

symbol of love, faithfulness, harmony. This symbol re ects the harmony that exists in the bonding between a man and a woman.
Proverb: Kyekye pe aware. (The North Star has a deep llove for marriage. She is always in the sky waiting for the return of the moon, her husband.)
from The Adinkra Dictionary)

http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/ 3/5
11/2/2017 Adinkra Symbols and how they are used in lifestyle today

SANKOFA: return and get it

symbol of importance of learning from the past

Bio Latest Posts

cadmin (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/members/cadmin/)
"I can't change the world but I believe I can have a positive impact on one person to motivate another person, to in uence a change. I
believe you and I can inspire the WORLD."

(http://twitter.com/orijinculture)

(http://facebook.com/orijinculture)

(http://plus.google.com/orijinculture?
rel=author)

(http://instagram.com/orijinculture)

Share this:

Facebook 6 (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/?share=facebook&nb=1)

Twitter (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/?share=twitter&nb=1)

Reddit (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/?share=reddit&nb=1)

Google (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/?share=google-plus-1&nb=1)

Tumblr (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/?share=tumblr&nb=1)

Pinterest 1 (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/?share=pinterest&nb=1)

Related

The History behind Adinkra Symbols

(http://www.orijinculture.com/community/the-
(http://www.orijinculture.com/community/the-history-
history-behind-adinkra-symbols/)
behind-adinkra-symbols/)
Adinkra is one of the highly valued and respected
hand-printed cloths. Its orijin is traced to the Asante
Tribe of Ghana and the Gyaman people of Cote'
d'lvoire (Ivory Coast). History has it that in the
nineteenth century, there was a con ict between
August 12, 2009
In "#DIverseCity"
(http://www.orijinculture.com/community/de- (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/untold-
man-dem-yaa-asantewaa-queen-mother- history-bangles-manillas-slave-trade-money-
ejisu/) accessory/)
"Do It Like De Man Dem": Yaa Asantewaa [Queen Mother Untold story behind Bangles (Manillas) A Slave Trade
of Ejisu] (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/de- Money to the must have jewellery
man-dem-yaa-asantewaa-queen-mother-ejisu/) (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/untold-history-
September 14, 2011 bangles-manillas-slave-trade-money-accessory/)
In "#RealTalk" December 23, 2014
In "Trends&FashionAfrica"

Comments Closed

Translation

Select language

Table Of Content
http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/ 4/5
11/2/2017 Adinkra Symbols and how they are used in lifestyle today
Table Of Content

#BIOrijin (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/orijin/roots/)

#CulturallyMisunderstood (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/culture-2/culturally-misunderstood/)

#DIverseCity (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/culture-2/roots-and-culture/)

#MUZiK (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/music-i-respekt/)

#OrijinOfTheDay (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/of-the-day/)

#RealTalk (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/underground-news/)

#SoulJourney (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/souljourney/)

#UnspokenCultures (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/culture-2/hidden-cultures/)

#UnSpokenWords (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/poetry-conscious-music/)

AfroPolitics (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/politics-economics/)

Love, Sex and Culture (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/culture-2/love-sex-culture/)

Trends&FashionAfrica (http://www.orijinculture.com/community/afro-fashion-and-style/fashion-style-trends-in-africa/)

Search..

Instagram Photos

(https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba9POKOAfRE/) (https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba7SCa9AuJS/)

(https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba61Eyog33-/) (https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba4uCTcArDR/)

(https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba4gLekAYV7/) (https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba4IDeIAiKw/)

(https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba30dY_AC-N/) (https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba16qapANDz/)

http://www.orijinculture.com/community/adinkra-symbols-lifestyle-today/ 5/5