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ADINKRAHENE
"Chief of the adinkra symbols"
symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership
This symbol is said to have played an inspiring role in the designing
of other symbols. it signifies the importance of playing a leadership
role.
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Osram - the 'moon'.
Symbol represents patience.
The related proverb is 'it takes the moon quite a while to go round
the world' - you need to show patience when awaiting a particular
event or outcome..
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Osram Ne Nsoroma - the 'moon and star'.
Symbol represents love, harmony, faithfulness, and the feminine
essence of life.
The symbol represents the north star (female) awaiting the return
of her partner, the moon (male).
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Tabono - the 'paddles'.
Symbol represents strength and perseverence.
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Wawa Aba - the 'seed of the wawa tree'.
Symbol represents strength.
The wawa tree, a hardwood, is revered for its quality as a medium
for carving.
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AKOBEN
"war horn"
symbol of vigilance and wariness
Akoben is a horn used to sound a battle cry.
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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.
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AKOMA
"the heart"
symbol of patience,goodwill,faithfulness,endurance and tolerance
According to Agbo, when a person is said to "have a heart in
his stomach," that person is very tolerant.
A saying "Nya Akoma" (Get a heart - be patient). |
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AKOMA NTOSO
"linked hearts"
symbol of understanding and agreement
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Ananse Ntontan.
Symbol represents creativity and wisdom.
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AYA
Fearless fighters wear this fern as a war sign in their caps and
speechs.
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BIN NKA BI
"No one should bite the other"
symbol of peace and harmony
This symbol cautions against provocation and strife.
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DAME-DAME
name of a board game
symbol of intelligence and ingenuity
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DENKYEM
"crocodile"
symbol of adaptability
The crocodile lives in the water, yet breathes the air, demonstrating
an ability to adapt to circumstances.
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DWENNIMMEN
"ram's horns"
symbol of humility together with strength
The ram will fight fiercely against an adversary, but it also submits
humbly to slaughter, emphasizing that even the strong need to be humble.
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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 finds in love.
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EPA
"handcuffs"
symbol of slavery and captivity
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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 conflict, but they need to work together.
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FIHANKRA
"house/compound"
symbol of security and safety
Typical of Akan (Asante) architecture, the communal housing compound
has only one entrance and exit.
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FUNTUNFUNEFU-
DENKYEMFUNEFU
"Siamese crocodiles"
symbol of democracy and unity
The Siamese crocodiles share one stomach, yet they fight over food.
This popular symbol is a remind that infighting and tribalism is harmful
to all who engage in it. |
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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 reflection on the deeply
religious character of the Ghanaian people |
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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.
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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 fire without burning their feet, an inspiration to others
to endure and overcome difficulties.
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KINTINKANTAN
"puffed up extravagance"
symbol of arrogance
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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. |
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MMUSUYIDEE
"that which removes bad luck"
symbol of good furtune and sanctity
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NKONSONKONSON
"chain link"
symbol of unity and human relations
A reminder to contribute to the community, that in unity lies strength
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NKYINKYIM
"twisting"
symbol of initiative, dynamism and versatility
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NSOROMMA
"child of the heavens [stars] "
symbol of guardianship
A reminder that God is the father and watches over all people.
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NYAME BIRIBI WO SORO
"God is in the heavens"
symbol of hope
A reminder that God's dwelling place is in the heaven, where he can
listen to all prayers.
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Nyame Akruma - 'God's Axe'.
Symbol represents stealth and righteous might.
The symbol is based on neolithic axe heads, found in the region,
and considered by the Akan to be the physical remains of thunderbolts
hurled by angry Gods. The Akan would often wear one or more shells
as a talisman against lightning strikes (and later as protection
against firearms).
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Nyame-Nti - 'faith in God'.
Also known as Adwera - a river plant.
Symbol represents consecration, cleanliness, chastity, purity,
and faith in God.
The proverb related to Adwera says that "the water of life
sustains through its purity", a recommendation to the life
of the virtuous and pious.
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NYAME NNWU NA MAWU
"God never dies, therefore I cannot die"
symbol of perpetual existence
This signifies the immortality of man's soul, believed to be a part
of God. Because the soul rests with God after death, it cannot die.
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ODO NNYEW FIE KWAN
"Love never loses its way home"
symbol of the power of love
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OSRAM NE NSROMMA (The moon and the star).
Symbol of FAITHFULNESS, LOVE, HARMONY, FONDNESS, LOYALTY, BENEVOLENCE
and FEMININE ESSENCE OF LIFE. Prov.: "Kyekye pe aware."
(Kyekye - the North Pole Star - has a deep love for marriage. She
is always in the Sky waiting for the return of the moon, her husband).
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OWO FORO ADOBE
"snake climbing the raffia tree"
symbol of steadfastness, prudence and diligence
Because of its thorns, the raffia tree is a very dangerous challenge
to the snake. His ability to climb it is a model of persistence and
prudence.
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SANKOFA
"return and get it"
symbol of the importance of the wisdom of learning from the past in
building for the future.
Prov. "Se wo were fi na wo sankofa a yenkyi". |
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SESA WORUBAN
"I change or transform my life"
symbol of life transformation
This symbol combines two separate adinkra symbols, the "Morning
Star" which can mean a new start to the day, placed inside the
wheel, representing rotation or independent movement.
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TAMFO BEBRE
"the enemy will stew in his own juice"
symbol of importance of learning from the past
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