Adinkra Symbols and their meaning (English and Twi)

Below is a table displaying in alphabetical order some of the old and new Adinkra and other cultural symbols. They have been arranged by names in Twi, literal translation in English, significance and proverbial meaning where available.

Symbol	Name in Akan	Literal translation	Symbolic Meaning	Proverbial expression
	Aban	Fence	Strength and authority.
	Abe Dua	Palm tree	Wealth Self-sufficiency Toughness Vitality	Nipa nye abe dua na ne ho ahyia ne ho. The human being is not like the palm that is self sufficient. Nnua nyinaa bewu agya abe. All trees will wither safe the palm tree.
	Adinkra Hene	Adinkra King. Chief of all the Adinkra designs; forms the basis of adinkra printing	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.
	Adwo	Peace.	Peace/Calmness	Ohene nya ahontenafo pa a, ne bere so dwo When the king has good counselors, then he will have a peaceful reign
	Akofena	Royal/ ceremonial sword.	Gallantry Valour Bravery	Akofena kunini ko a, wobo a fena kye no safohene The great warrior always has a royal sword of rest even when he retires.
	Akoben	War Horn The sound of Ako-ben is a battle cry	Call to arms Readiness and Preparedness for action or battle.
	Akoben	War Horn (another version) The sound of Ako-ben is a battle cry	Call to arms Readiness and preparedness for action or battle. Vigilance
	Akoko nan	The hen’s feet	Parenthood. Care. Tenderness. Protection. Parental admonition is not intended to harm the child. (Parental discipline.)
	Akoma ntoaso	Extension of the heart.	Understanding Agreement or charter Unity
	Ananse	Spider web	Wisdom Creativity
	Ani Bere	Seriousness	Diligence Perseverance	Ani bere a, nso gya,anka mani abere koo. Seriousness does not show fiery eyes; else you would see my face all red.
	Asaase ye duru	The earth has weight	Divinity of the earth Providence Power/Authority Wealth Might	Tumi nyina ne asase All power manates from the earth. Asase ye duru sen epo The earth is heavier than the sea.
	Bese saka	Sack of cola nuts	Power Abundance affluence Togetherness and unity (agriculture and trade bring people together)
	Bi nka bi	Bite not one another	Peace Harmony Caution against strife and provocation
	Biribi wo suro	There is something in the heavens	Hope. Reliance on God for inspiration.	Nyame, biribi wo soro, na ma emeka me nsa. God, there is something in heaven, let it get to me.
	Boa me	Help me to help you	Interdependence Cooperation Helping one another
	Duafe	Wooden comb	Feminine virtue. Everlasting love.
	Dwammi	Ram’s horn	Concealment Humility & Strength Wisdom & learning	Dwannini ye asisie a, ode n’akorana na… It is the hart and not the horns that leads a ram to bully
	Eban	Fence/fort or castle Representing Fenced homes	Protection security safety fortress
	Epa	Handcuffs	Slavery Equality Law & Justice	Onii a ne pa da wonsa no, na n’akoa ne wo You are a slave to the one whose handcuffs you are wearing.
	Ese	The teeth and the tongue	Friendship interdependence Advancement Progress Strength in unity
	Fofoo	Fofoo plant (A yellow flowered plant)	Jealosy Envy	Se die fofoo pe ne se gyinantwi abo bidie. The Fofoo plant’s wish is that the gyinantwi seeds should turn black.
	Funtun	The tree/altar of the funtunfunafu. (version of the Siamese crocodile)	Need for unity when there is the same destiny
	Funt	Siamese Twin crocodiles joined at the stomach.	Democracy and oneness irrespective of cultural differences	Funtumfunafu denkyemfunafu, won afuru bom, nso woredidi a na woreko. They share one stomach and yet they fight over food
	Gyawu atiko	Symbol drawn by Gyawu, who was a chief of Bantama	Bravery Valour Fearlessness Leadership
	Gye Nyame	Except God.	Omnipotence and immortality of God
	Hye wonye	That which cannot be burnt	Imperishability Endless Forgiveness Toughness	Hye a wonnhye That which cannot be burnt
	Kae me	Remember me.	Loyalty Faithfulness
	Kete pa	Good bed	Good marriage. Love and faithfulness
	Kontire	State elders	Reliance. Democracy	Tikoro nko agyina One head does not make up council.
	Krapa	Sanctity, Pure in heart	Sanctity Purity	Krapa te se okra okyiri fi Sanctity, like cats, abhors filth.
	Kramo Bone	The Bad	Warning against hypocrisy	Kramo bone amma yennhu kramo pa We cannot tell the good from the bad because of Pretence and hypocrisy.
	Kwatakye	Hair of the Hero Kwatakye	Valour Bravery Leadership
	Mmusuyide	That which removes ill luck or evil	Good fortune Sanctity Spiritual Strength
	Nea ope	Do to others the things you want them to do to for you	Justice	Nea ope se nkrofoo ye ma wo no, ye saa ara ma won. Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.
	Nkyin kyim	Zigzag/twisting	Playing many roles. (Dynamism) Initiative Toughness Adaptability Resoluteness	Obra kwan ye nkyinkyimiie Life’s path is full of ups and downs; twists and turns.
	Nkon son	Chain links	Human relations Unity
	Nkontim	Hair of the Queen’s servant	Loyalty Service
	Nsronma	The Star Child of God/child of the heavens	Reflection of God faith in God Guardian ship.
	Nsaa	Type of hand wovencloth/Blanket	Excellence Authenticity Genuineness	Nea onim nssa na oto n’ago The one who knows the nssa blanket is willing to buy it even when it is old
	Ntesie	I have heard and kept it	Knowledge Wisdom	Nyansa bun mu ne mate masie Deep wisdom comes out of listening and keeping what is heard.
	Nyame nti	Since god Exist For God’s sake By God’s Grace.	God’s grace. Faith in God.	Nyame nti mi nnwe wura By God’s grace, I will not eat leaves to survive
	Nyame nwu	God never dies; therefore I shall not die	Life after death
	Denkyem	The crocodile.	Prudence	Odenkyem da nsuo mu,nso onnhome nsuo, ohome mframa The crocodile lives in water but does breathe air and not water.
	Okuafo pa	Good farmer	Hardwork Entrepreneurship Industry productivity	Okuafoo pa ne obi a oye nsiyefoo, ono na ose : w’afuo so a, woye ne nyinaa. The good and industrious farmer says: No matter how big your farm is you tend it all.
	Onyame Aniwa	God’s eye	Omnipresence of God	Onyakopon aniwa hu asumu asem biara. God’s eye seees all secrets.
	Osram	The moon	Patience and understanding	Osram mmfiti preko nntwareman. It takes the moon some time to go round the earth.
	Owuo atwidie	Ladder of death.	Death, the ultimate fate of man. Mortal nature of man. Fate	Owu atwedee obaako nforo. All men shall climb the ladder of death.
	Pempiase	Readiness	Readiness/ Preparedness Strength and unity.	Pempamsie se, bebebre ahooden ne koroye. The many has strength only in unity.
	Sankofa	Return and get it. Learning from the past.	You can always correct your mistakes. Wisdom Using past experiences to build the future. Better late than never	Se wo were fi na wo sankofa a yennkyi. It is not a taboo to return to fetch something you forgot earlier.
	Sankofa	Return and get it. Learning from the past	You can always correct your mistakes. Wisdom Using past experiences to build the future. Better late than never	Se wo were fi na wo sankofa a yennkyi. It is not a taboo to return to fetch something you forgot earlier.
	Tumi	Power is like an egg	Delicacy of political power, Fragility of democracy, Restraint	Tumi te se kosua, woso mu den a, epae; na se woanso mu yie nso a, efiri wo nsa bo famu ma epae. Power is as fragile as an egg, when held too tightly it might break; if it is held too loosely, it might fall and break.
	Dua pa	When you climb a good tree	Support Cooperation Encouragement	Wuforo dua pa a na ye pia wo. He who climbs a good tree is encouraged/ supported.
	Fihankra	Compound house	It represents a symbol of Security and safety
	Ohene Tuo	The King/Chief's gun	Symbol of defense and safety for the King
	Akoma	Heart	Symbol of Patience and Tolerance
	Mmra krado	The law padlock	It represents justice and supreme authority
	Wawa aba	The seed of Wawa	It represent strength and toughness