African Symbols that Prove Africans Were Always Spiritually Superior
Afrikan
Post
July
2015
Page 24
African symbols from Egypt are well known, but now is time to discover more African symbols specially from West Africa, called Adinkra. Adinkra are visual symbols, originally created by the Ashanti of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. They represent concepts or aphorisms, and are extensively used in fabrics, pottery, logos and advertising.The symbols have a decorative function but also represent objects that encapsulate evocative messages that convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life or the environment. The Collection below is from the work of Jean MacDonald, and is destined to African artists and designers for inspiration in logo, websites, clothes, jewelery and fashion design, not forget for tattoos.. Source:http://www.adinkra.org/
MATE MASIE
ME WARE WO
"What I hear, I keep" "I shall marry you " symbol of wisdom, knowledge and prudence symbol of commitment, perThe implied meaning of severance the phrase "mate masie" is "I understand". From the expression "No one Understanding means wis- rushes into the job of mixing dom and knowledge, but it the concrete for building the also represents the pruhouse of marriage." dence of taking into consideration what another person has said.
NKONSONKONSON
MPUANNUM
NYAME NNWU NA MAWU
"God never dies, therefore I cannot die" symbol of God's omnipresence and the perpetual existence of man's spirit 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.
"five tufts" (of hair) symbol of priestly office, loyalty and adroitness "This symbol is said to be the A reminder to contribute to the hairstyle of joy. It is the tradicommunity, that in unity lies tional hairstyle of the priestesses. ... The design of the strength adinkra symbol mpuannum resembles the way the priestesses' hair was tied. ...
"chain link" symbol of unity and human relations
PEMPAMSIE
“Sew in readiness”symbol of readiness, steadfastness, hardiness According to the The Adinkra Dictionary, the design of this symbol resembles the links of a chain, and implies strength through unity as well as the importance of being prepared.
NKYINKYIM
SESA WO SUBAN NYAME YE OHENE
"Change or transform your character " 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.
NYAME DUA
"tree of god" – altar symbol of God's 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.
TAMFO BEBRE
“the ladder of death” symbol of mortality a "the enemy will stew in reminder of the transihis own juice" tory symbol of jealousy nature of existence in this world and of the imperative to live a good life to be a worthy soul in the afterlife
symbol of majesty and supremacy of God
NSOROMMA
"If your hands are in the dish"
symbol of participatory government, democracy and pluralism
NYANSAPO
"child of the heavens [stars] " symbol of wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience symbol of guardianship An especially revered symbol of the Akan, this symbol conveys the A reminder that God is the idea that "a wise person has the father and watches over all capacity to choose the best meeans people. to attain a goal. Being wise implies broad knowledge, learning and experience, and the ability to apply such faculties to practical ends."
KETE PA
"good bed "
"God is King "
WO NSA DA MU A
FIHANKRA
ESE NE TEKREMA
"house/compound" "the teeth and the tongue" symbol of security and symbol of friendship and symbol of a good marsafety interdependence riage The teeth and the tongue From the expression that Typical of Akan play interdependent roles a woman who has a good (Asante) architecture, in the mouth. They may marriage is said to sleep the communal housing come into conflict, but on a good bed.Arthur compound has only they need to work one entrance and exit. together.
MPATAPO "knot of pacification/reconciliation" symbol of reconciliation, peacemaking and pacification
OSRAM NE NSOROMMA
"The Moon and the Star" symbol of love, faithfulness, harmony
This symbol reflects the harmony that exists in the bonding between a man and a woman.
MMUSUYIDEE
"that which removes bad luck" symbol of good furtune and sanctity