Except God. A symbol expressing the omnipotence of God. Probably the most popular Adinkra symbol. It is featured on Ghana's largest-denomination banknote, the 200 cedi note.

Go back and fetch it. Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. The literal translation of the word and the symbol is “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” Essentially every experience in life should leave you wiser than it met you and even if it was a bad experience, you would have learnt not how to go about it.

Chief of the adinkra symbols. 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 in the community. Great leaders are charismatic, and this symbol exemplifies the honourable qualities of a good leader.

Ram’s Horns. Symbol of humility together with Strength. The ram will fight fiercely against an adversary, but it also submits humbly to slaughter, emphasizing that even the strong need to be humble.

Siamese crocodiles. Symbol of Democracy and Unity

The Siamese crocodiles share one stomach, yet they fight over food. This popular symbol is a reminder that infighting and tribalism are harmful to all who engage in it.

Twisting. Symbol of Initiative, Dynamism and Versatility. A symbol representing the tortuous nature of life's journey.

Love does not lose its way home. Those led by love always end up in the right place.

 Crocodile. Symbol of Adaptability. The crocodile lives in the water, yet breathes the air, demonstrating an ability to adapt to circumstances.

Palm Tree. Symbol of Wealth, Resourcefulness, and Self-sufficiency.The palm tree is a symbol of resourcefulness because many diverse products emanate from that single tree: wine, oil, brooms, etc.

Calmness. Symbol of Serenity, Peace, Calmness

Agyin's gong. A symbol of loyalty, faithfulness, alertness, and dutifulness. Designed to commemorate the faithfulness of one Agyin who was a dutiful servant and gong-beater of the Asantehene.

War horn. A symbol of vigilance, readiness to be called to action, readiness, and voluntarism. Akoben is a horn used to sound a battle cry. 

A sword of war (or the state ceremonial swords). Symbol of Courage, Valor, and Heroism. The crossed swords were a popular motif in the heraldic shields of many former Akan states.

 n addition to recognizing courage and valor, the swords can represent legitimate state authority.

The leg of a hen. A symbol of nurturing and discipline. From the Akan proverb, “Akoko nan tia ba na enkum ba,” literally, “The foot of a hen steps on the child (chick) but it doesn't kill the child (chick).”

Linked Hearts. A symbol of agreement, togetherness and unity or a charter. An amplification of the concept of Akoma.

Heart. A symbol of patience, love, goodwill, tolerance, faithfulness, fondness, endurance, and consistency.

Spider's web. A symbol of wisdom, craftiness, creativity, and the complexities of life. It is the web of Ananse, the crafty spider who is preeminent in African folklore.

No matter how red-eyed one becomes (i.e. how serious one becomes), his eyes do not spark flames. A symbol of patience, self-containment, self-discipline, and self-control.

The earth has weight. A symbol of providence and the divinity of Mother Earth. This symbol represents the importance of the Earth in sustaining life.

Fern. A symbol of endurance, independence, defiance against difficulties, hardiness, perseverance, and resourcefulness. The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. “An individual who wears this symbol suggests that he has endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty.” (Willis, The Adinkra Dictionary)

Sack of cola nuts. A symbol of affluence, power, abundance, plenty, togetherness, and unity. The cola nut played an important role in the economic life of Ghana. A widely used cash crop, it is closely associated with affluence and abundance. This symbol also represents the role of agriculture and trade in bringing peoples together.

No one should bite another. A symbol of justice, fairplay, freedom, peace, forgiveness, unity, harmony, and the avoidance of conflict or strife. 

Wooden comb. A symbol of feminine consideration or good feminine qualities such as patience, prudence, fondness, love, and care. The meaning of this symbol is characterized slightly differently in “The Adinkra Dictionary” and “The Values of Adinkra Symbols”; the former emphasizes more abstract qualities of feminine goodness, love and care, while the latter has a more literal interpretation, looking one’s best and good hygiene.

The home to the Akan is a special place. A home which has a fence around it is considered to be an ideal residence.
The fence symbolically separates and secures the family from the outside.

Because of the security and the protection that a fence affords, the symbol is also associated with the security and safety one finds in love.

Adolph Agbo, in “Values of Adinkra Symbols” notes that handcuffs were introduced in Africa as a result of the slave trade, and later became popular among chiefs in cuffing offenders of the law.

“The symbol reminds offenders of the uncompromising nature of the law. It, however, discourages all forms of slavery.”

Teeth and tongue. A symbol of improvement, advancement, growth, the need for friendliness and interdependence. The teeth and the tongue play interdependent roles in the mouth. They may come into conflict, but they need to work together.

An enclosed or secured compound house. A symbol of brotherhood, safety, security, completeness, and solidarity.

A yellow flowering plant (bidens pilosa). A symbol of warning against jealousy and covetousness. When the fofo’s petals drop, they turn into black spiky-like seeds. The Akan liken the nature of this plant to a jealous person.

The back of Gyawu's head. A symbol of valor and bravery. Used interchangeably with the Kwatakye Atiko symbol

Measuring rod (rod of investigation) or rule. A symbol of excellence, quality control, superior quality, perfection, knowledge, and critical examination.

Burn you won't burn (fig. unburnable). A symbol of toughness, endurance and imperishability; also a symbol of permanence.

The bad muslim makes it difficult for a good one to be recognized. A symbol of warning against deception and hypocrisy.

Kuronti and Akwamu. A symbol of democracy, sharing ideas, taking council.

The back of Kwatakye's head. A symbol of valor and bravery. This symbol is also called Gyawu Atiko. It is said to be a hairstyle of Kwatakye, a war captain of old Asante.

Peppers. A symbol of inequality and uneven development; from the proverb "All peppers on the same plant don't ripen at the same time" As the Akans say, “Mmerɛ dane,” literally, “Time changes” so any advantage one may have now may not persist forever.

Well-ventilated house. A symbol of fortitude, resilience and readiness to face the vicissitudes of life.

He who does not know; from the proverb, "When he who does not know learns, he gets to know." Symbol of knowledge, life-long education and continued quest for knowledge.

A type of hand woven cloth. A symbol of excellence, genuineness, and authenticity. 

Star (child of the heavens). A symbol of faith and the belief in patronage and dependency on a supreme being.

Thumb. A thumbs up is an approval. This symbol signifies your participation and cooperation in what is happening. It means you are part of the team and that they have your support. 

The cowry shells were once used as money or medium of exchange in many cultures.

 King’s Stool. Symbol of Authority, Leadership .

King´s Eyes.“Ohene” means king, and “Aniwa” means eyes. This symbol implies that the eyes of the king see many things. They are vigilant, overseeing all the affairs of the nation such that nothing slips by him. 

Royal Soul Pendant. The Royal Soul Pendant represents the leadership of the king.

King´s Crown. The crown symbolizes royalty and the head that wears the crown has sovereign power over the people.

God the Builder. The symbol represents the power and strength of the creator to erect, furnish, and prepare us to be ready to reflect His image, because he is our Nyame, our builder.

Rising Sun. Owia A Repue literally means rising sun. The sun rises everyday bringing with it warmth, hope and strength to face life anew. 

Strikes Fire. The symbol is one of the few symbols of war and it is used to incite the citizens to be brave and courageous even in the face of danger.

Oars. Tabono means “oar” or “paddle” in the Adinkra language of Western Africa. It is a symbol of unity of purpose, strength, confidence and hard work to reach a destination or goal.

Gun and States Sword. The gun and the sword are the ultimate symbols of defense. 

We Shall Meet Again. It can be comforting to people parted from loved ones knowing they will be reunited someday. 

 If your hands are in the dish. Symbol of participatory Government, Democracy and Pluralism.

 He who wants to be king. Symbol of Service and Leadership. From the expression “Nea ope se obedi hene daakye no, firi ase sue som ansa” meaning “He who wants to be king in the future must first learn to serve.”

Change or transform your Character. Symbol of Life Transformation.

 The crossed divisions made on adinkra cloth before stamping. Symbol of Skillfulness, Precision.

Puffed up Extravagance. Symbol of Arrogance.

That which removes bad luck. Symbol of Good fortune and sanctity. 

Independence. Symbol of Independence, Freedom, Emancipation.