Adinkra Symbol Guide
Adinkra |
Symbol Name |
Description |
Meaning |
 |
adinkrahene
|
"chief of adinkra symbols"
|
greatness, charisma, leadership
|
 |
akoben
|
"war horn"
|
vigilance, wariness
|
 |
akokonan
|
"the leg of a hen"
|
mercy, nurturing
|
 |
akoma
|
"the heart"
|
patience & tolerance
|
 |
akoma ntoso
|
"linked hearts"
|
understanding, agreement
|
 |
asase ye duru
|
"the Earth has weight"
|
divinity of mother earth
|
 |
aya
|
"fern"
|
endurance, resourcefulness
|
 |
bese saka
|
"sack of cola nuts"
|
affluence, abundance, unity
|
 |
boa me na me mmoa wo
|
"help me and let me help you"
|
cooperation, interdependence
|
 |
dame dame
|
"Name of a board game"
|
intelligence, ingenuity
|
 |
denkyem
|
"crocodile"
|
adaptability
|
 |
duafe
|
"wooden comb"
|
beauty, hygiene, feminine qualities
|
 |
dwennimmen
|
"ram's horns"
|
humility and strength
|
 |
eban
|
"fence"
|
love, safety, security
|
 |
epa
|
"handcuffs"
|
law, justice, slavery
|
 |
ese ne tekrema
|
"the teeth and the tongue"
|
friendship, interdependence
|
 |
fihankra
|
"house/compound"
|
security, safety
|
 |
fofo
|
"a yellow-flowered plant"
|
jealousy, envy
|
 |
funtunfunefu, denkyemfunefu |
"siamese crocodiles"
|
democracy, unity in diversity
|
 |
gye nyame
|
"except for God"
|
supremacy of God
|
 |
hwemudua
|
"measuring stick"
|
examination, quality control
|
 |
hye wonhye
|
"that which cannot be burnt"
|
imperishability, endurance
|
 |
kete pa
|
"good bed"
|
good marriage
|
 |
kintinkantan
|
"puffed up extravagance"
|
arrogance, extravagance
|
 |
mate masie
|
"what I hear, I keep"
|
wisdom, knowledge, prudence
|
 |
me waro wo
|
"I shall marry you"
|
commitment, perseverance
|
 |
mframadan
|
"wind-resistant house"
|
fortitude, preparedness
|
 |
mmusuyidee
|
"that which removes ill luck"
|
good fortune, sanctity
|
 |
mpatapo
|
"knot of reconciliation"
|
peacemaking, reconciliation
|
 |
nea ope se bedi hene
|
"he who wants to be king"
|
service, leadership
|
 |
nkonsonkonson
|
"chain links"
|
God's protection and presence
|
 |
nkyimu
|
the crossed divisions made on adinkra cloth before printing
|
skillfulness, precision
|
 |
nkyinkyim
|
"twistings"
|
initiative, dynamism, versatility
|
 |
nsaa
|
type of hand-woven cloth
|
excellence, genuineness, authenticity
|
 |
nsoromma
|
"child of the heavens"
|
guardianship
|
 |
nyame biribi wo soro
|
"God is in the heavens"
|
hope
|
 |
nyame dua
|
"tree of god"
|
god's protection and presence
|
 |
nyame nnwu na mawu
|
"God never dies, therefore I cannot die"
|
life after death
|
 |
nyame nti
|
"by God's grace"
|
faith & trust in God
|
 |
nyansapo
|
"wisdom knot"
|
wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience
|
 |
odo nnyew fie kwan
|
"love never loses its way home"
|
power of love
|
 |
osram ne nsoromma
|
"the moon and the star"
|
love, faithfulness, harmony
|
 |
owo foro adobe
|
"snake climbing the raffia tree"
|
steadfastness, prudence, diligence
|
 |
owou atwedee
|
"the ladder of death"
|
mortality
|
 |
sankofa
|
"return and get it"
|
learn from the past
|
 |
sankofa
|
"return and get it"
|
learn from the past
|
 |
sesa woruban
|
"I change or transform my life"
|
transformation
|
 |
tamfo bebre
|
"the enemy will stew in his own juice"
|
jealousy
|
 |
wawa aba
|
"seed of the wawa tree"
|
hardiness, toughness, perseverance
|
 |
woforo dua pa a
|
"when you climb a good tree"
|
support, cooperation
|
 |
wo nsa da me a
|
"if your hands are in the dish"
|
democracy
|
