Surely, most people have never even thought about how many symbols they encounter every day. The purpose of any symbol is to convey a certain meaning while saving space. Moreover, people often do not even know the true meanings of all the symbols they use.
1. "Infinity"
The mathematical meaning of infinity dates back to 1655, when the English mathematician John Wallis first used it in his work On Conic Sections. Wallis did not explain his choice of this symbol, but it is believed that it is a variant form of the Roman numeral "1000" (originally CIƆ, also CƆ), which was sometimes used to denote "many".
2. "OK"
In the US, the OK sign is used to indicate that something or someone is ok. However, in some European countries it is an offensive gesture, meaning that the person it is shown to is a "zero". In Mediterranean and South American countries, the sign actually symbolizes the anus.
3. "Peace"
The combination of a circle, a vertical line and descending lines, commonly considered a symbol of peace, was designed by peacemaker Gerald Herbert Holt on February 21, 1958 as the logo of the Direct Action Committee against Nuclear War. The symbol was quickly adopted by the hippie community in the 1960s, which made it popular throughout the world.
4. "Smiley"
Probably the most widely used symbol in electronic messages, the emoticon was created in the early 1970s. Inside the circle is the simplest, most “childish” image of a happy face: two vertical oval eyes and a large smiling mouth. The choice of yellow as the background color was inspired by the sun and represents radiant, unadulterated happiness.
5. "Mars"
The male symbol is known as the symbol of Mars. The image of a circle with an arrow coming out of it in the upper right corner represents the shield and spear of the Roman god of war - Mars. It is also a symbol of the planet Mars, which is sometimes called the "fire planet" or "planet of war."
6. "Venus"
The feminine symbol is the astrological symbol of the planet Venus and is also used to denote the female gender. The circle is meant to be a reminder of the inclusive nature of our universe, and it also symbolizes the womb of a woman. The cross (added in the 16th century) below the circle indicates that all matter is born from a “spiritualized and loving womb.”
7. "Skull and Bones"
This notorious symbol, consisting of a human skull and two bones stacked underneath it, originated in the Middle Ages when it was used to symbolize death. It was later adopted by pirates, who began using it on their flags. Today, the symbol is used as a warning label on containers containing toxic or hazardous substances.
8. "Heart"
Nowadays, the heart symbol symbolizes love, emotions and romantic relationships, but in the past it had a completely different meaning. For example, in ancient Greece, the heart shape was a symbol of silphium, a type of giant dill that once grew on the North African coast near the Greek colony of Cyrene. The ancient Greeks used the plant to flavor food, as a medicine, and as a means of birth control.
9. "Swastika"
In the Western world, the swastika is now synonymous with fascism because it was a symbol used by the Nazi Germans. However, the swastika has actually been around for thousands of years, and its original meaning was a symbol of good luck. For example, in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, swastika means “well-being.” The symbol has been used for thousands of years by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains and is generally considered an Indian sign. However, the question is whether this ancient sign can shake off its recent evil associations.
10. "Crescent"
Although the crescent moon is a very common theme in Islamic iconography, it is not actually Islamic in origin, nor is it exclusive to that religion. The emblem has been used in Christian art for many centuries. It is in fact one of the oldest symbols in human history, and has been known since the Babylonian period in Mesopotamia (2100 BC). The crescent also symbolizes the moon and silver.
11. "Tick"
A checkbox is used to indicate that something is correct, checked, or completed. The modern swoosh is widely used in many countries around the world, but its origins are believed to date back to the Roman Empire. Back then, "V" was used to shorten the word "veritas," which means "truth." The right side of the symbol became elongated because ink and quills were used in that era, and when starting to write, the ink did not immediately fall onto the paper.
12. "Registered Trademark"
A registered trademark mark indicates that the preceding word or symbol is a trademark or service mark that has been registered with a national trademark office. A trademark is a symbol, word or slogan legally registered or established as representing a company or product.
13. "Hammer and Sickle"
The hammer and sickle were one of the most recognizable symbols of Soviet power. It denoted the workers' and peasants' union: the hammer is the traditional symbol of the proletariat, and the sickle is the traditional symbol of the peasantry. However, in European religious symbolism, the hammer is also associated with aggressive male power, and the sickle with death.
14. "Staff of Asclepius"
The Staff of Asclepius is a symbol associated with medicine and healthcare. The son of the god Apollo and the human princess Coronis, Asclepius was the Greek demigod of medicine. According to mythology, he could restore the health of the sick and bring the dead back to life. The staff of Asclepius is wrapped in a snake because the ancient Greeks considered snakes sacred and used them in healing rituals.
15. "Maltese Cross"
The Maltese Cross is the symbol most often associated with the Knights of Malta, who ruled the Maltese Islands between 1530 and 1798. Its eight ends signify the eight obligations or aspirations of knights, namely: faith, mercy, truth, justice, sinlessness, humility, sincerity, patience. Moreover, the four directions of the cross symbolized the 4 main Christian virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude and abstinence.
Alchemy (late lat. alchemia, alchimia, alchymia), a peculiar cultural phenomenon, especially widespread in Western Europe in the late Middle Ages. Alchemists considered their main task to be the transformation (“transmutation”) of base metals into noble ones with the help of an imaginary substance - the “philosopher’s stone”. The emergence and attempts to implement this task go back to antiquity.
Alchemical symbols and their mysterious meanings arose out of the need for protection and camouflage from the powerful European church. At the height of its practice, alchemy was considered a heretical craft and was punishable by death or worse, torture. The Church saw alchemy as a way for practitioners to ascend to salvation beyond "traditional" methodology. Although the ancient alchemical symbols were born out of this need, the basis of alchemical practice is based on inner transformation and its achievement. As a means of this transmutation, alchemists used the changing properties of substances in addition to the philosophical meanings of the symbols themselves.
Abracadabra:
Magical Gnostic formula (c. 1st century AD). It originates in the tradition of chanting sounds, which with their vibrations carry you into elevated states of spirit (trances) and purify. Abracadabra, written and pronounced “in the system of disappearance” - from the full name to one letter - removes illness, evil fate, poverty and all evil energies.
When wearing an amulet, this is facilitated by the shape of the pendulum and the engraving on it.
There are many versions of the origin of this word, the most common is that the term comes from the name of the Greco-Egyptian god Abraxas - the supreme head of the heavens and aeons. In this sense, Abraxas expresses the creative will of the Absolute, the world’s desire for existence.
One version of the origin of the word is based on its consonance with phrases in Jewish Aramaic: עַבְדָא כְּדַברָא
, avda kedavra, "what is said must be done", and עברא כדברא
, avra kedavra with a rough translation of “what is said must be done.” In Aramaic, b and v could be used interchangeably, hence the variant "abra kedabra" and then "abracadabra".
The word (spell against various diseases) was prescribed to be used as follows. It was written out in a column on a tablet 11 times, with the last letter being cut off each time. The result was a triangle. Such a gradual shortening of this word was supposed to destroy the power of the evil spirit, and the patient, putting on the amulet, was supposed to gradually recover.
Aleph:
This ancient symbol of alchemy is derived from the "Secret Tradition" or Kabbalah. Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and the spiritual root of all harmonies.
Caduceus:
The wings of the caduceus symbolize the ability to cross any boundaries, airiness; rod - power; double snake - opposite sides in dualism, which must ultimately unite. The two snakes, healing and poisonous (disease and health), have a hermetic and homeopathic meaning: nature can overcome nature. The Caduceus is a symbol of the complementary nature of these two forces operating in the universe and the union of the two sexes. They represent the forces of connection and separation, good and evil, fire and water, ascension and descent, as well as balance, wisdom and fertility. In alchemy it is the male sulfur and the female mercury, the power of transformation, sleep and awakening, the dissolution and coagula (solve et coagula) of the great Experience, the synthesis of opposites and the penetrating function of meditation between the higher and lower levels of reality. The messenger's wand or staff is the axis of the world, down and up along which, between Heaven and Earth, all the messenger gods and intermediaries move.
The cube represents the earth in the Pythagorean, Native American and Platonic traditions. In Egypt, the pharaoh is often depicted sitting on a cubic throne. In India, many statues of deities are shown standing on a cube - one under each foot.
According to Plato, elements, which are various manifestations of primary matter, are capable of mutual transformation. Plato used the geometry of polyhedra to explain such properties of matter as hardness, fusibility, airiness, and fireiness. In this case, earth was associated with a cube, water with an icosahedron, air with an octahedron, and fire with a tetrahedron. The fifth possible regular polyhedron, the dodecahedron, according to Plato, corresponded to the fifth element, which God the Creator used to create celestial bodies. 
According to Aristotle, each element represents one of the states of a single primary matter - a certain combination of basic qualities - heat, cold, moisture and dryness:
Hot + Dry = Fire
Hot + Humid = Air
Cold + Wet = Water
Cold + Dry = Earth
Ergon:
This is a spiritual ancient symbol of alchemy for the right eye of the soul, in which it looks into the eternal. This symbol allows you to focus on higher, subtler, spiritual vibrations. He also states the infinite nature of our soul, and our capabilities to enjoy an infinite universe.
Fire:
The ancient symbol of alchemy represents divine energy, purification, revelation, and transformation. One of the main elements, a symbol of the Spirit and G-d, the triumph of light and life over darkness and death, universal purification.
Moon:
The moon represents the dark side of nature, its invisible aspect; the spiritual aspect of light in darkness; inner knowledge, intuitive, irrational and subjective; human mind in the form of reflected light of the divine Sun.
It is a symbol of the eye of the night, and the Sun is the eye of the day. The moon also symbolizes the periodic renewal of creation, time and measure. Previously, time was measured by the phases of the moon, so it was considered the bearer of change, suffering and decline, the condition of human life on earth. Changing in its phases, it symbolizes the area of formation. 
Peacock tail:
The peacock's tail, which includes all the colors of the rainbow, was perceived as a universal symbol. Towards the end of alchemical work this symbol always appears. Its multi-colored feathers look like molten metal, which foreshadows intimacy in the final stage of transformation. The peacock's tail is a symbol of a smooth transition from one stage to another. Also in Islam, the tail of a peacock, revealed in all its beauty, meant either the universe, or the full moon or the sun at its zenith. The peacock's tail appears in the 84th emblem of Bosch's Symbolic Art as the idea of the whole and a sign of the union of all colors.
Pentacle:
A pentacle is a magical object with the image of a five-pointed star (pentagram) inscribed in a circle. Each of its rays represents one of the five elements - Water, Air, Fire, Earth and Spirit. And if in an upright position it symbolizes the divine principle, then in an inverted form it is already a sign of Satan.
Sometimes pentacles are also called pentagram, pentalpha, pentageron; as well as the “star of Solomon” or the “seal of Solomon” - once the famous king wore a ring with a five-pointed star, which later “decorated” his tomb.
The pentacle is a symbol of harmony, health and mystical powers. The Pythagoreans accepted it as a sign of health and marriage of heaven and earth. The Pentacle has great power as a sign of heaven, earth, and also the human body and mind. No wonder it was used as a protective emblem among alchemists and magicians.
Quincunx:
Initially, this symbol was present on a Roman coin whose denomination was equal to 5/12 (which in Latin sounds like quincunx) of ace.
The quincunx acquired its symbolic meaning among the followers of the Pythagorean School, which, as is known, specialized in mysticism and mathematics. According to Pythagoras, the components of the quincunx - the four primary elements of earth, air, fire and water, are permeated by the monad, ether. It is a symbol of permeability and vitality. The quincunx is located at the base of the Pythagorean Tetraxis - ten points, a symbol that revealed the secret of universal nature.
In the modern world, this symbol is widely used by astrologers. Having the shape of a cross, it represents the cosmic center: four points corresponding to the cardinal directions meet at the fifth, central point where Heaven meets Earth.
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These symbols have survived dozens of generations, and people have endowed them with power and meaning for centuries. Sometimes, over time, the meaning of symbols changes - it acquires associations and is distorted beyond recognition. And maybe this one
a beautiful pendant on your pendant carries an unexpected sacred meaning.
website looked into the history of the most famous symbols.
The first images of the symbol date back to 8000 BC.
The swastika is a symbol of happiness, creativity and abundance. In India it symbolizes the sun and the beginning. Among the American Indians it was the emblem of the sun god. In China, the swastika is the hieroglyph for the sun. In Buddhism it is considered a symbol of perfection.
Since 1900, in English-speaking countries, the swastika has been popular on postcards as the “cross of happiness”, consisting of the “4 Ls”: Light, Love, Life and Luck.
In the 1920s, the Nazis made it their symbol. In the 1940s, due to the analogy with Nazism, the image of the swastika was banned in many countries.
The symbol was born in 4000–3000 BC. The double-headed eagle of Gandaberunda was first mentioned in the ancient legends of Hinduism. The warrior god Vishnu became a double-headed eagle, showing fantastic strength. Gandaberunda was a symbol of the principles of dharma - a set of norms for maintaining cosmic order.
In Buddhism, the double-headed eagle personified the power of Buddha; in the Muslim world it was a symbol of the supreme power of the Sultan. In Sumer it was an image of the sun.
Gandaberunda was present on the coats of arms of many principalities and countries. He was depicted on
coins of the Golden Horde, it was on the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire.
In Rus', the eagle appeared with the marriage of Ivan III to the niece of the Byzantine emperor Sophia Paleologus in 1472. He was a symbol of the Palaiologan dynasty. The double-headed eagle depicted on the weapon was considered a talisman and talisman that brought success in battle.
The symbol has existed since 3500 BC. Found in Egypt, Greece, India, Byzantium and Sumer. The crescent moon represents rebirth and immortality.
It was revered by Christians as a sign of the Virgin Mary, in Asia - as a sign of cosmic forces. In Hinduism, it represents control over the mind.
The crescent moon was a symbol of the Sassanid Empire in Persia and was placed on crowns. In 651, after the Arab conquest, the crescent became a symbol of power in Western Asia. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the crescent moon finally became associated with Islam.
Early five-pointed stars date back to 3500 BC.
The pentagram was considered a talisman against evil and dark forces. Merchants of the Ancient
Babylon depicted a star on the doors to protect goods from theft and damage. Pythagoras considered it mathematical perfection, since the pentagram contains the golden ratio. The stars were a symbol of intellectual omnipotence.
In early Christianity, the symbol of Jesus Christ was an inverted pentagram. But at the instigation of Eliphas Levi, the inverted five-pointed star became a symbol of Satan.
Each ancient culture left behind a large number of symbols. They arose as a way of depicting deities, supernatural and ordinary phenomena in the life of the people. Most often, symbols were directly related to religion, with the help of which the bearers of a particular culture learned and explained the world around them. Intricate images were used in various rituals. Many of them were solved by historians and archaeologists only after lengthy research.
Ancient Slavs
They are known for their love for various images. Ancient symbols of this people can be found on a vast territory from the Volga to Germany and the Balkans. Even before it was divided into tribal unions and groups, common drawings appeared in everyday life. These include the symbols of Ancient Rus'.
The Sun played a great role in the images. There were several signs for him. For example, it was a caroler. It was worn mainly by men who wanted to gain wisdom in battle and everyday life. God Kolyada was responsible in the Slavic worldview for the constant renewal of the world and the victory of light over darkness.
Overcome grass was used as a talisman against evil lower spirits. It was worn on clothes, armor, weapons, etc. The symbols of the ancient Slavs included the ratiborets. It was the sign of a warrior, for whom the most important thing was courage, bravery and honor. It was believed that the warrior bestows these qualities on everyone who sincerely and passionately loves their homeland and home. Most often he was depicted using engraving - an art in which the Slavs knew a lot. Like many other ancient symbols, the ratiborets was a solar sign, a little like the Sun. In this series, the swastika stands out especially, denoting the eternal cycle of the Universe. The person wearing it recognized his allegiance to the higher forces of nature.
The symbols of the ancient Slavs were also identified with the family - the smallest unit of any society. It was a wedding ceremony, meaning the fusion of body, soul, conscience and spirit of those who enter into a marital union.
Symbols of the elements among the Slavs
Many ancient symbols came from the tradition of worshiping fire as the greatest element. Several of these can be cited. Yarovrat was worn by worshipers of God Yaro, who, with the help of the powers of fire, controlled the weather, which means he was in charge of the harvest. Therefore, those wishing to obtain a large number of crops used this sign. Doukhobor also symbolized fire, but only internal fire. This was the symbol of the flame of life. If a person in the tribe fell ill, he was covered with bandages with Doukhobor. The thunderstorm helped protect churches and houses from bad weather, thunderstorms, storms and other disasters.
The symbol of the earth among the ancient Slavs is solard. The soil was also associated with the cult of motherhood, which was practiced by some tribes. The prosperity of the land meant a stable growth of food and a satisfying life for the family.
Runic alphabet
Scandinavian runes were used by numerous Germanic tribes. They had a developed mythology with their own unique images associated with the harsh living conditions of this people. Runes were not only symbols, but also written signs. They were applied to stones to convey one or another message. They wrote epic sagas telling about the history and myths of the Germans.
However, each sign, if considered separately, also had its own meaning. The runic alphabet consists of 24 runes, divided into three rows of 8 each. About 5 thousand surviving inscriptions in this amazing language have been found in the world. Most of these artifacts are found in Sweden.
Examples of runes
The first rune, Fehu, meant livestock, and in a broad sense - any personal property of a German. Uruz symbolized a bull or bison. Thus, the difference between the first and second sign was that in one case a domestic animal was meant, and in the second a wild and free one.
Thurisaz meant a sharp thorn or hammer of Thor, one of the main gods of the Germanic pantheon. It was used to ensure that the person wearing it had good luck, as well as protection from hostile forces. Ansuz is an image of open lips, that is, a replica or spoken wisdom. In addition, this is a sign of caution, since the Scandinavian peoples believed that a smart person would never be rash.
Raido is the cart or path ahead of the wanderer. The ancient symbols and their meaning among the Germans often had a double meaning. Kenaz is a sign of fire. But this flame is friendly. Most often, such a fire meant a torch that would warm a person and give him a feeling of comfort and homeliness.
The next two runes symbolize joy. Gebo is a gift and generosity. He was depicted as a sign of good intentions. If runes were used in fortune-telling, then the Gebo that fell was a great success for a person who was in for a pleasant surprise in the future. Ancient signs and symbols even now often become material for the occult ministries of neopagans. Vunyo means joy. It was often used in conjunction with Gebo. If it was written next to another rune, then this meant success or good luck in the sphere that the neighboring sign symbolized. For example, Vunyo and Fehu were an omen of a large increase in livestock.
Some runes have been synonymous; their presence can be found in almost all peoples and cultures. For example, Laguz is a symbol of water, a lake, or even intuition in a figurative sense.
Development of runic writing
Interestingly, over time, the common runes split into several variants of the alphabet for different peoples, from the borders of the Roman Empire to the extreme polar north of Norway. The most common is the so-called Proto-Scandinavian version, from which all subsequent ones came. It was used until the 8th century AD, which corresponds to the Iron Age in these territories. Most often, such runes are found on ancient weapons, armor and roadside stones. Such symbols were used in magical and religious rituals in the future. Sacred and memorial inscriptions are still found in necropolises and thickets.
In Eastern Europe, Gothic runes brought here from Scandinavia became widespread. They can be found even in Ukraine and Romania. After some Germanic people settled in the British Isles, they developed their own variation of this writing system. This was due to isolation from their former homeland and assimilation with the “natives” - the Angles, Saxons, etc. They acquired new runes, many of which began to denote double sounds in writing (linguists call them diphthongs). These have been preserved even in modern German.
They are considered especially exotic. They appeared on a distant island, which was then considered the northwestern edge of the world. They are characterized by the use of dotted lines. These runes were in use until the 14th century. As for the Scandinavian signs, they disappeared with the advent of Christianity in the kingdoms of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The use of runes was considered heresy and was severely punished by the authorities.
Ancient Egypt
One of the most famous symbols of Ancient Egypt is the Ankh. This is a cross, which is crowned with a ring on top. It symbolized life and eternity. There are also interpretations of the cross and the ring as signs of the rising sun, the union of the male and female principles. The Ankh was used in burial rituals, as the Egyptians believed that those buried with the Ankh in the sarcophagus would receive an eternal afterlife.
In everyday life, a rounded cross also meant prosperity and happiness. It was often carried with them as a talisman and a talisman for good luck. The ankh was used to protect against dark magic. In addition, his images were even found on the walls of river canals. The Egyptians were very dependent on how the Nile would flood and what the harvest would be. That is why the Ankh was painted inside the canal, so that no harm would happen to it, and the natural elements remained friendly to the inhabitants.
It is curious that after the ancient Egyptian culture faded into oblivion, Ankh managed to survive. For some time, ancient culture triumphed on the banks of the Nile, and later Islam came. But back in the first centuries AD, Christians appeared here and founded their Coptic community. It was they who adopted the Ankh because of its external resemblance to the cross.
Eye of Horus
Another important Egyptian symbol is the all-seeing eye. The image of a painted eye is a reference to the god Horus, who is the master of the sky. The spiral that was drawn under the eye meant the eternal movement of energy. This symbol was often used as a talisman against troubles and evil spirits.
In Egyptian mythology, there is a story about the battle of Horus and Set. This is a common metaphor for the struggle between good and evil. Since Horus was the personification of everything bright, healers and priests began to use his sign to treat the sick and those injured in battles. The Egyptians also had developed mathematics. The Eye of Horus found its application here too - it denoted a fraction.
Scarabs and Isis
Another popular symbol of Ancient Egypt is the scarab. The beetles that lived in dung and made balls out of it represented hard work. In addition, they were associated with the sun god Ra, who, like insects, moved this light source every day. Scarabs were popular talismans, seals and even medals for services to the pharaoh. Beetle figurines were used in afterlife ceremonies. They were placed in the sarcophagus of the dead or even placed in the place where the heart used to be (all organs were cut out and placed in separate vessels). Ancient symbols often had such a dual use - in everyday life and at funerals. Residents of the banks of the Nile had a reverent attitude towards death.
Figurines of the goddess Isis often came across treasure hunters in treasuries. It was a symbol of land, fertility and prosperity. Isis is one of the most revered gods of this pantheon. The symbol of water in Egypt meant life. And it is not surprising, because this culture was based on the banks of the Nile, beyond which there was a dead and merciless desert.
The symbols of Ancient Egypt entered modern culture after the fashion for art deco appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1920s, all of Europe and the United States watched with bated breath the discoveries of archaeologists. These were pyramids and hidden tombs, the most famous of which were left on the walls as stories and omens.
Rome
The Roman Empire was built around its capital. For many centuries, the capital was a symbol of the center of the ancient world. Therefore, in the Roman pantheon there was a special cult of this city. Its symbol was the Capitoline wolf.
According to myth, the founders of Rome, the brothers Romulus and Remus, were royal children. After their uncle came to power during the coup, he ordered the babies to be thrown into the river. This was done, but they survived after they were found by the Capitoline wolf, who fed them. When the children grew up, Romulus founded Rome and became king of a new state that lasted for another millennium.
That is why all the symbols of Ancient Rome faded in front of the she-wolf. Her bronze sculpture stood at the capital's forum, where the most important government decisions were made. The image became iconic and was often used by townspeople.
In Rome, ancient symbols and their meanings were often associated with power. For example, when it was still just a small republic, magistracy played a big role in it. This was an elected position for one year. The lictor had a symbol of power that distinguished him from the general row of townspeople. These are fascias - bundles of birch or elm twigs covered with a belt or cord. An ax was also used as a symbol, which meant that the person carrying it could execute the guilty.
Ancient Greece
Roman mythology was largely formed under the influence of another great culture - Greek. Therefore, some of the designations of Hellas were also relevant for the Italians.
For example, the symbols of Ancient Greece include the image of the staff of Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. According to legend, he was called by a Cretan who asked him to resurrect his prematurely dead son. Asclepius walked into the palace with a staff in his hand. At some point, he was attacked by a snake, but the man killed it with his stick. Following the first, a second reptile crawled up, which had grass in its mouth. With her help, she resurrected the snake. Then Asclepius took this plant with him to the palace and helped Minos. Since then, the staff with the snake has become
Another variation that exists in modern times is the cup of Hygeia with a snake. This girl was the daughter of Asclepius. The symbol has become an international sign of medicine.
Another image of a staff common in Greece and adopted by Rome is the Caduceus. used by heralds who announced the end of war between states (for example, between Athens and Sparta). Therefore, the Caduceus became used by both the Greeks and the Romans. The image migrated to medieval European heraldry.
Ancient love symbols in Greece included the butterfly. This beautiful insect was associated with family harmony and happiness.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most famous symbols of humanity, many of which you can probably decipher without our help.
Yin-Yang
Black and white “fish” intertwined in a circle is one of the most popular symbols. There are many interpretations of it, but each of them is correct in its own way. The black half embodies the dark, earthly, northern or feminine principles, and the white half embodies everything opposite.
We know this symbol from Taoist philosophy, but in fact the harmony of dark and light came from Buddhist culture. Yin-Yang has become the personification of Eastern teachings and Chinese medicine.
The most common interpretation is balance, harmony between the feminine and masculine, good and evil.
Magen David (Star of David)
Although today we perceive this symbol exclusively as Jewish, it appeared in India around the Bronze Age. Then it meant Anahata - the chakra that reveals everything beautiful and is responsible for love.
By the way, even today this symbol is found in different cultures. For example, in Islam the same six-pointed stars are depicted on the veil that covers the main shrine in Mecca.
The Star of David began to be associated with Jews already in the Middle Ages, although at that time this symbol could more often be found in Arabic treatises.
Since this symbol was depicted on the family coat of arms of King David, who lived in Iran, the star was called Magen of David. It was also used by Heinrich Heine, who signed his articles in this way. The Rothschild family also included this sign in their coat of arms. Subsequently, Magen David became a symbol of the Zionists.
Caduceus
This is one of the oldest symbols, which was used in the ritual rites of ancient Egypt. By the way, its meaning is interpreted differently depending on the application. In Ancient Rome, this sign was a symbol of inviolability, in occultism - a sign of secret knowledge and the key to it. But in the USA in the century before last, the caduceus was widespread as a medical emblem.
But the most common meaning of the caduceus is its interpretation as a symbol of trade, wealth and prosperity. A torch with curling snakes is found on the emblem of the chamber of commerce, customs or tax service, courts and even some cities.
The torch is interpreted as the axis of life, and intertwined snakes symbolize movement, the struggle between good and evil, the unity of God and man, as well as many other phenomena and concepts.
Chrism
This symbol is one of the most iconic symbols of Christians. It is known as the monogram of Christ, that is, chrisma is the intertwining of the first two letters of his name. Although Christianity is one of the symbols that were traditionally depicted on the banners of the Roman Empire.
There is an interpretation according to which this is an ancient symbol of the sun in some religions. This is why many Christian movements do not recognize this sign.
Ohm
An ancient sacred symbol for Hindus, which means the divine triad. He personifies Creation, Maintenance and Destruction, being the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
The mantra "Om" is a mantra of strength, intelligence and eternity. These are some of the symbols that have become popular in pop culture and cinema.
Chalice of Hygieia
Who hasn’t seen this sign that has become a symbol of medicine? This emblem came to us from Ancient Greece, where it meant the struggle for health and strength. Doctors first used it during the Roman conquests, and later this sign became a generally accepted symbol of medicine. Although the WHO emblem is slightly different - it is a snake entwined around a staff. But we still know that an asp with a cup means a medical drug or institution.
Ichthys
The graphic silhouette of a fish with the inscribed abbreviation in Greek “Jesus Christ – Son of God” was used by the first Christians during the period of persecution. Pisces is a symbol of Christianity, the apostles and religious teachings.
Today the abbreviation itself is more common, although these crossed “crescents” can be found on ancient places of worship.
Wind rose
The wind rose is a symbol-amulet for sailors. They believed that this sign would help them return home and not go astray. But in some occult teachings there is similar symbolism that personifies the angelic essence.
8 spoke wheel
In different religions and religious rituals, this symbol meant different things. But the most common interpretation is the sun, movement in a circle, fate, fortune.
The expression “Wheel of Fortune” is firmly established in everyday life. It came precisely from this symbol.
Ouroboros
The snake devouring its own tail represents the cyclical nature of life and death. But with the advent of Christianity, where the serpent is the personification of evil, ouroboros became a symbol of the struggle between good and evil.
Hammer and sickle
A relatively “young” symbol that came into the world with the communist movement. It was invented in 1918 and meant the peasantry (sickle) and the working class (hammer). Today it is perceived as a symbol of communism.
fleur-de-lis
Sign of royalty. It was especially widespread in France, although initially the flower was interpreted as a symbol of purity and innocence. During the Renaissance, this sign symbolized mercy and compassion. Many people believe that the fleur-de-lis is a stylized iris flower.
Crescent
Initially, the crescent was the personification of the night deity. In some images from Ancient Egypt, we can see headdresses with a crescent moon on the gods. But today it is the most established symbol of Islam. The crescent moon is also found in Christianity, where it symbolizes the Virgin Mary and Paradise.
Double headed eagle
In Ancient Sumer, the double-headed eagle was a solar symbol, personifying the sun and light. During the formation of the first states, the double-headed eagle became one of the most common symbols of empires. The symbol gained popularity as the coat of arms of the Roman Empire, the Palaiologan dynasty (Byzantium) and the Golden Horde. Today it can often be found in the coats of arms of many states.
Pentacle
Since ancient times it has been a symbol of protection. Appeared long before the emergence of world religions. But each of them found its own interpretation of the pentagram. For example, in Christianity it is a symbol of the five wounds on the body of Christ. But the sign is better known as the seal of Solomon.
The pentagram comes in different meanings. It is used both as an occult symbol and as a religious one. An inverted pentagram is interpreted as a symbol of evil.
Swastika
Today this symbol is associated with evil and fascism, having completely lost its original meaning. Moreover, in some countries this symbolism is prohibited by law.
But the history of the swastika begins 10 thousand years ago. Initially, it was interpreted as a wish for good luck and prosperity. In pre-Columbian America, the swastika meant the sun, life, movement.
All Seeing Eye
A sign of truth, teaching and patronage. Found in Ancient Egypt and in the modern world. For example, it can be seen on US currency notes. Typically used in conjunction with the triangle or pyramid symbol. The sign is found both in religious and occult movements, and in the symbolism of Freemasons.
Cross
Initially, the cross symbolized life and the sun. It was used by the priests of Ancient Egypt, India and other ancient civilizations.
With the advent of Christianity, the cross somewhat changed its meaning, becoming a symbol of death and resurrection. Today it is the most common sign of Christianity.
Pacific
One of the most common symbols, which was invented as the emblem of the movement for nuclear disarmament. But gradually its original meaning transformed into universal reconciliation and renunciation of the use of military force. Now this sign is an international symbol of peace.
Olympic rings
The most famous sports symbols. It has several interpretations: five rings - five continents, five rings as five skills that every participant in the competition must master. There is another meaning in which five colors mean the five elements surrounding a person.
Compass and square
A symbol that has always been attributed only to the Masonic lodge. But its interpretation is quite varied. The compass means the sky, and the square the earth, symbolizing the unity of the spiritual and earthly. Often the letter G is depicted in the resulting rhombus, which is interpreted as the human soul.
Smile
The most popular Internet symbol, which has only one meaning – have a happy day. Initially, the smiley was the emblem of an advertising campaign, but very soon the sign joined any message that wanted to be given goodwill.
Dollar sign
This sign denotes not only American currency, but also any other that has the name “dollar”. But the origin of this symbol remains a mystery. There is an interpretation that the dollar is an abbreviation for the peso currency, because initially the Spanish dominated the continent. According to another version, this is a graphic designation of the path and the pillars of Hercules.
Signs of Mars and Venus
This symbol appeared during Antiquity. A circle with a stripe down means Venus, who admires her beauty in the mirror. And a circle with an upward arrow means the strength and courage of warlike Mars.
