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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Onyame Aniwa | God’s eye | Omnipresence of God | Onyakopon aniwa hu asumu asem biara. God’s eye seees all secrets |
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| Osram | The moon | Patience and understanding | Osram mmfiti preko nntwareman. It takes the moon some time to go round the earth. |
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| 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. |
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| Pempiase | Readiness | Readiness/ Preparedness Strength and unity | Pempamsie se, bebebre ahooden ne koroye. The many has strength only in unity. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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 | 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 |
[…] Adinkra cloths were traditionally only worn by royalty and spiritual leaders for funerals and other very special occasions. They are now worn by anyone, stylishly wrapped around women or men on any special occasion. In the past they were hand printed on undyed, red, dark brown or black hand-woven cotton fabric depending on the occasion and the wearer’s role; nowadays they are frequently mass-produced on brighter coloured fabrics. […]