Adinkra

Gye Nyame (except God). Symbol of the Omnipotence and immortalityof God

Funtunfunafu denkyem funafu won afuru bom nso worididi a na wo ko." Sharing one stomach yet they fight over food.

Odenkyem (crocodile) da nsuo mu nso ohome nsuo ne mframa. The crocodile lives in the water yet it breathes air, not water

Bi-nka-bi. Obi nka obi (bite not one another). Avoid conflicts. Symbol of Unity.

Osrane (moon). "Osrane nnfiti preko ntware man." It takes the moon sometime to go round the nation.

Kramo-bone amma yanhu kramo-pa. We cannot tell a good mohammedan from a bad one. The fake and the genuine look alike because of hypocrisy

Nsaa (a kind of blanket). Nea onim nsaa na oto nago.

Fofoo. SE die fofoo pE ne sE gyinantwi abo bedie. What the fofoo plant wants is that the gyinantwi seeds should turn black. Symbol of jealousy.

Adinkra hene (Adinkra king). Chief of all the adinkra designs. Forms the basis of adinkera printing

Dwanimen (Ram's horn). "Dwonnin ye asise a ode n'akorana na ennye ne mben." It is the heart and not the horns that leads a ram to bully.Concealment.

Mpuannum (Nkontimsofo o Puaa). Five tufts of hair. A traditionally fashionable hair style

Hye wo nyhe (the one who burns you be not burned). Symbol of forgiveness. Turn the other cheek.

Owuo Atwedie Baako Nfo (obiara bewu). All men climb the ladder of death.

Sepow (knife used in executions). This is thrust through the victims's cheeks to prevent his invoking a curse on the king

Gyamu atiko. This is said to be the design shaved by Gyawu, a once Bantamahene

Sankofa (return and fetch it). "SE wo werE fi na wosankofa a yenkyi." It is no taboo to return and fetch it when you forget. You can always undo your mistakes

Keerapa (Musu yide). Good fortune sanctity. "Kerapa te se okera.Okyiri fi." Sanctity like a cat. Abhors filth. Symbol of sanctity and good fortune.

Fihankra (the circular house of complete house). This signifies safety or security in a home.

Ohene niwa (in the king's eye). The king has lots of eyes and nothing is hidden from him

Akoma (the heart). "Nya akoma (take heart)." Have patience. Symbol of patience and endurance.

Biribi wo soro. "Nyame biribi wo soro na ma embeka mensa (God there is something in the heavens, let it reach me.)." A symbol of hope.

Nsoroma (a child of the heavens). "Obu Nyankon soroma te Nyame na onte neho so (A child of the Supremem Being I do not depend on myself. My illumination is only a reflection of His.)."

Krado - mmra krado (Seal of law and order). Symbolizing the authority of the court

KodeE mowerEwa (the talons of the eagle). This is said to be shaved on the heads of some court attendants.

Aya (the firn). This word also means 'I am not afraid of you.' A symbol of defiance

Osrane ne nsoroma (moon and star). A symbol of faithfulness.

Nyame dua (an altar to the sky God). Altar, place of worship.

Aban (fence). Representing fenced homes. A protector. Double security. Safe and sound. Fool-proof

Ohen tuo (The king's gun). Defende or protector of the king.

Ako-ben (war horn). The sound of Akoben is a battle cry, hence it symbolizes a call to arms.

Nkyin kyin (ohema nkyinkyin). Changing one's self. Playing many roles

Wawa Aba (the seed of the wawa tree). 'Wawa' is a hard wood used in carving, hence its significance in Akan culture

Kuntinkantan (do not boast). There is need for humility and servitude

Akoko nan tiaba na enkum ba (The hen treads upon its chicks, but it does not kill them).

Epa (handcuffs). "Onii a n epa da wo nsa no, ne akowa ne wo." You are the slave of him whose handcuffs you wear.

Duafe (the wooden comb). One of the very few representational forms in adinkera patterns.

Kontire ne Akwam (elders of the state). "Tikorommpam." One head does not constitute a council.

Mmra krado (seal of the law). Symbolizing supreme authority.

Penpamsie (that which will not crush). "Penpamsie see bebirebe ahooden ne koroye." Unity in strength

Bese saka (a bunch of cola nuts). Bese (cola nut) is the favorite of the northern tribes

Tabon (paddle). Paddles are more common with coastal tribes.

Pa gya (to strike fire or make fire). This is said to represent war.

Dono (drum). This symbol is more like the dono drum than the other symbol for the dono drum.

Akoma Ntoaso A symbol of agreement or a charter.

Funtunfunafu denkyem funafu, won afuru bom nso worididi a na wo ko. Another version of this symbol. Need for unity, particularly where there is one destiny.

Dame-Dame (a draft game). A more traditionally popular game is oware

Sankofa Another Sankofa design. It could be a broken piece from the original design

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cernunnos.

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The Uraeus is the serpent emblem found in Egyptian portrayals of Royalty and Deity.

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