Signs and Symbols - SemioticSigns.com

Axe Almost universal
symbol of decisive
power and authority.
Associated with the
creative force of the
thunderbolt. Linked
with ancient sun and
storm gods. Used to
invoke thunder and
rain in West Af rica;
symbol of the union of
f amilies in Chinese
marriage.
Baoeen Linked with
playf ulness in China;
in Celtic tradition
with slyness, deceit.
Bnll Symbol of
childhood games; in
China, associated
with the sun and the
yinlyang symbol.
Brmeoo Chinese
symbol of resilience,
longevity, happiness
and spiritual truth;
Japanese symbol ol
truth and devotion.
Barana Freudian
phallic symbol.
Basttsx A medieval
symbol of lust and
disease.
Bnsxer Womb
symbol; in the
Americas, stories
about baskets and
basket-making are
related to women,
9z
Brrn Emblem
Bess cr-er Music
notation.
Bnr Associated with
death, symbol of fear
and superstition,
linked with witchcraft
and the occult in
Western folklore. In
Africa and ancient
Greece it was a
symbol of perspicuity.
Can signify madness.
Underworldivinity in
Central American and
Brazilian mythology.
Barx Associated
with bathing and thus
with purif ication, both
spiritual and physical.
3
Berls Symbol of
fecundity, used as
love charms in India
and -to ward off evil
spirits in Japan.
of
masculine courage
and primeval force;
while she-bears
symbolize care and
warmth - although
Jung linked them with
dangerous aspects of
the unconscious, In
Christian and lslamic
traditions the bear is
cruel and lustful.
BEARD lmportant
aspect of male
symbolism,
representing dignity,
sovereignty, virility
and wisdom. Sign of a
king; in ancient Egypt
beardless rulers,
including womenr
were depicted with
false beards to
proclaim their status.
^d
-,
-
-
Ber/erexrve Society,
industry and working
together; honeybees
are also linked with
romantic love in
European, Chinese
and Hindu traditions.
Bees are linked with
death and the
otherworld in
Eurooean folklore.
Btt-lThe voice that
proclaims the truth,
especially in
Buddhist, Hindu,
lslamic and Christian
traditions. In China it '
symbolizes obedience
and cosmic harmony.
Small tinkling bells
can represenl
happiness and sexual
pleasure. Worn on
Hebrew dresses as a
sign of virginity.
Linked with the
feminine principle,
also protective. Marks
the passing of time
and proclaims good
news, warns of danger
and tolls for death.
\#
Bgtt on etnote
Female chastity,
marital fidelity or
seductiveness. Magic
girdles appear in myth
as emblems of
strength and became
a symbol of honour in
England. The rope
girdles of monks
allude to the
scourging of Christ.
The Hindu girdle is an
emblem of the cycles
of time.
Beonc Rune for B.
BerxonThe planet;
mystical Kabbalistic
sign for the second
Olympic spirit.
Btonnzeno Warning,
USA.
Brncx Benef icial,
protective, sacred to
Germanic gods.
Cosmic tree of
Central Asia. In
shamanic rites it
symbolized human
ascento the spirit
woflo.
Btnos Symbol of the
human soul,
representing
goodness and joy,
standing for wisdom,
intelligence and the
swift power of
thought. Aboriginal
stories suggesi they
bear information. ln
Western art birds can
symbolize air and
touch.
Btnrx cglnr
Elizabethan England,
'17th century.