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Adinkra Symbols and MeaningsImageTwi �Chief of O NAN“The leg of a hen”Mercy, nurturingAKOMA“The heart”Patience &toleranceANANSENTONTAN“Spider’s web”Wisdom, creativity
ASASE YE DURU“The earth hasweight”Divinity of WENNIMMEN“Ram’s horns”Humility andstrengthEPA“handcuffs”Law, crocodiles”Democracy, unityin diversity
GYE NYAME“Except for God”Supremacy of GodMMERE DANE“Time changes”Change, life’sdynamicsMPATAPO“Knot NUM“Five tufts” (of hair)Priestly office,loyalty, adroitnessODO NNYEW FIEKWAN“Love never losesits way home”Power of love
ImageSANKOFA“Return and get it”Learn from thepastSEPOW“ Executioner'sknife”JusticeTwi rd of war”Courage, valorAKOMA NTOSO“Linked hearts”Understanding,agreement
BESE SAKA“Sack of cola nuts”Affluence,abundance, unityBI NKA BI“No one shouldbite the other”Peace, harmonyBOA ME NA MEMMOA WO“Help me and letme help you”Cooperation,interdependenceDAME-DAME“Name of a boardgame”Intelligence,ingenuity
DENKYEM“Crocodile”AdaptabilityDUAFE“Wooden comb”Beauty, hygiene,feminine qualitiesEBAN“Fence”Love, safety,securityESE NE TEKREMA “The teeth and ependence,freedom,emancipation“Independence”
FIHANKRA“House,compound”Security and safetyFOFO“Yellow Floweredplant”Jealousy and envyHWE MU DUA“Measuring stick”Examination andquality controlHYE WON HYE“That which doesnot burn”Imperishabilityand enduranceKETE PA“Good bed”Good marriage
KINTINKANTAN“Puffed upextravagance”ArroganceKWATAKYEATIKO“Hair style of anAsante warcaptain”Bravery and valorMATE MASIE“What I hear, Ikeep”Wisdom,knowledge, andprudence.ME WARE WO“I shall marry you”Commitment ortitude andreadiness to facelife’s vicissitudes
MMUSUYIDEE“That whichremoves bad luck”Good fortune andsanctity.NEA ONNIM NOSUA A, OHU“He who does notknow can knowfrom learning”Knowledge,life-longeducation, and acontinued questfor knowledge.NEA OPE SEOBEDI HENE“He who wants tobe king”Service andleadershipNKONSONKONSON“Chain Link”Unity and humanrelationsNYAME DUA“Tree of god” (altar) God’s presenceand protection
NKYIMU“The crosseddivisions made onadinkra clothbefore stamping”Skillfulness mism, andversatilityNSAA“Type ofhand-wovenfabric”Excellence,genuineness, andauthenticityNSOROMMA“Child of theheavens [stars]”GuardianshipNYAME BIRIBIWO SORO“God is in theheavens”Hope
NYAME NNWUNA MAWU“God never dies,therefore I cannotdie”God’somnipresence andthe perpetualexistence of man’sspirit.NYAME NTI“By God’s grace”Faith and trust inGodNYAME YEOHENE“God is King”Majesty andsupremacy of GodNYANSAPO“Wisdom Knot”Wisdom,ingenuity,intelligence, andpatience.
OKODEEMMOWERE“The talons of theeagle”Strength, bravery,and power.ONYANKOPONADOM NTIBIRIBIARA BEYEYIE“By God’s grace, allwill be well”Hope, providence,and faith.OSRAM NENSOROMMA“The Moon and the Love, faithfulness,Star”and harmony.OWO FOROADOBE“Snake climbingthe raffia tree”Steadfastness,prudence, anddiligence.
OWUOATWEDEE“The ladder ofdeath”MortalityPEMPAMSIE“Sew in readiness”Readiness,steadfastness, andhardiness.SESA WO SUBAN“Change ortransform yourcharacter”Life transformationTAMFO BEBRE“The enemy willstew in his ownjuice”Jealousy and envy
WAWA ABA“Seed of the wawatree”Hardiness,toughness, andperseverance.WOFORO DUAPA A“When you climb a Support,good tree”cooperation, andencouragement.WI BSA DA MU A“If your hands arein the dish”Participatorygovernment,democracy, andpluralism.
AKOMA NTOSO “Linked hearts” Understanding, agreement BESE SAKA “Sack of cola nuts” Affluence, abundance, unity BI NKA BI “No one should bite the other”
