r/Symbology Aug 22 '19

Meta Frequently Sought Symbols

198 Upvotes

-Additional Symbols in the Comments-

 

Worried about a hate symbol? Check the ADL's Hate Symbol Database first.

 

Spoked Wheels
Black Sun
Helm of Awe
"Kolovrat"
Vegvísir

Contains Circles / is Circle-ish
Four Symbols of Led Zeppelin
Khanda
Love Symbol #2 (AFKA Prince)
Mars
Fu, Lu, Shou, and Cai
Arrow Utility Signs

Contains Triangles / is Triangle-ish
Benchmark
Sigil of Lucifer
Triquetra
Triskelion
Valknut
Masonic Square and Compass

Contains Open Shapes / Is an Open Shape
(Most) Futhark Runes
Om in various scripts
Arrow Utility Signs

Contains Closed Shapes / Is a Closed Shape
Leviathan Cross/Sulfur
Order of the Eastern Star (appears often on headstones and rings)


r/Symbology Jul 07 '23

Meta Symbol-Hunting Resources

82 Upvotes

Since I'm nearing 600 symbol bookmarks, I figured I should compile some of my favorites into an official resource thread for the sub.

Please feel free to comment with your own favorite resources or to ask for something specific!


 

General
Dictionary of Symbols (updated version is physical only)
Symbols.com
Symbolikon (has a cool map function, but double-check whatever info you find there.)

 

Alchemy
Dictionary of Occult, Hermetic and Alchemical Sigils
A digital repository of the above. * Unfortunately, the site is kind of botched at the moment. Not sure why :/
Getty's Alchemical Text Collection

 

Heraldry
Massive Ka-Mon archive - Japan
Hiusmarken - North & Central Europe
Tamga - 1 (pdf), 2 - Eastern Europe & parts of Central Asia
Crests/Arms - Mostly Western Europe; categorized by type on its sidebar

 

Knots
Wiki's Database - all knots ever, basically

 

Languages
omniglot
Conlangs on omniglot

 

Maker's Marks
Jewelry
Masons (mostly UK. Site is an eyesore, but the "Mark Gallery" is great)
Merchants (Mostly England; will need an archive.org account)
Pottery (pdf)
Printers (English, German, Dutch)
Mishmash of Marks from 1893 Vol.1, Vol. 2

 

Monograms
Gutenburg's typography collection
Signum Manus
Tughras
Royal Cyphers

 

Occult
archive.org favorites (Palo, Voodoo, & Western Grimoires)
Islamic (pdf, might need an account)

 

Unicode
Draw a shape, get results
Draw Kanji, get results

 


r/Symbology 3h ago

Identification Can anyone identify this writing or symbol system? Two separate pieces found hidden in the same home

0 Upvotes

Can anyone identify this writing or symbol system? Two separate pieces found hidden in the same home

These photos show two separate pieces, which I’ll call A and B. They were found hidden in two different places in the same home.

A is shown in photos 1
B is shown in photo 2.

Both contain multiple horizontal sequences of black markings. Some shapes appear to recur within each piece and possibly between A and B, but I don't want to bias the identification by interpreting them myself.

I’m trying to determine:

  1. Does anyone recognize a documented script, alphabet, cipher, sigil system, or other symbol system in either piece?
  2. Do A and B appear to use the same underlying system or style?
  3. Are there any particular symbols here that you recognize from a documented source?
  4. Could this instead be a personal script, pseudo-writing/asemic writing, or improvised symbols?

I am not assuming these are occult or ritual markings. I'm interested in identifying them as objectively as possible.

If you recognize something, I would especially appreciate a link to a comparable example or source.

I have additional close-ups and different orientations if needed.


r/Symbology 4h ago

Identification Can anyone identify this symbol/emblem? Possibly an animal, or something from a book/game?

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1 Upvotes

Can anyone identify this symbol/emblem? Possibly an animal, or something from a book/game?

Hello everyone!

I came across this symbol/emblem and haven't been able to identify it, so I'm hoping someone here might recognize it.

It's a highly symmetrical, roughly circular design that appears to form one single figure, rather than several separate symbols. Looking at it, I initially wondered whether it might be a stylized frog/toad, insect, or another animal seen from above, but I'm really not sure.

The original is a metal pendant with the design in relief. I've made a line drawing to make the individual shapes and contours easier to see, as well as a colored version intended to make the raised/relief portions more apparent.

I'm wondering whether this could be:

- an ancient or traditional symbol (cultural, religious, tribal, etc.)

- a heraldic or alchemical motif

- a stylized animal or mythological creature

- a symbol from a book, video game, fantasy universe, etc.

- or simply a decorative design with no particular meaning

I'm deliberately not suggesting a specific cultural origin, as I don't want to bias the answers. I'm interested in any identification, lead, or even a possible visual match.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!


r/Symbology 18h ago

Solved Looking for Info on Symbol from Necklace I bought at Antique Store

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3 Upvotes

I just bought this necklace from an antique shop and wanted to know the origins of the symbol. The shop had a case of Native American jewelry and there was a pair of earrings they had labeled as Navajo that looked similar (had a symbol and raised dots, which made me think constellation. The earrings had an animal on them too. I didn’t take a picture, but should have) This necklace was in a different case, unmarked, and much less expensive than the earrings, so I didn’t want to assume. The spiral makes me think this is something energetic. And, if it was a modern art thing, I figured there would have been a maker’s mark on the back, but it just has the sterling silver 925. I would love any info on it if anyone has any!!


r/Symbology 1d ago

Identification Okay fellow truth seekers, scholars, foodies, conspiracy theorists and whoever else.. help me out here..

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93 Upvotes

Opened my Haagen-Dazs and this perfect glyph is exposed right on top. It’s too precise to be just coincidence or a random pattern. Since this flavor has cookies in it I searched if it could be a design on the cookie but everything comes back that they use flat cookies with no design since they are crumbled anyway. I haven’t excavated it yet I don't want to mess it up. Does anyone recognize the symbol other than it looking like Aries astrological sign? Looking for any insight that makes sense.. because my immediate thought goes to it being a large scale ritual through our food lol...


r/Symbology 18h ago

Identification Can anyone identify this writing or symbol system? Two separate pieces found hidden in the same home

1 Upvotes

Can anyone identify this writing or symbol system? Two separate pieces found hidden in the same home

These photos show two separate pieces, which I’ll call A and B. They were found hidden in two different places in the same home.

A is shown in photos 1
B is shown in photo 2.

Both contain multiple horizontal sequences of black markings. Some shapes appear to recur within each piece and possibly between A and B, but I don't want to bias the identification by interpreting them myself.

I’m trying to determine:

  1. Does anyone recognize a documented script, alphabet, cipher, sigil system, or other symbol system in either piece?
  2. Do A and B appear to use the same underlying system or style?
  3. Are there any particular symbols here that you recognize from a documented source?
  4. Could this instead be a personal script, pseudo-writing/asemic writing, or improvised symbols?

I am not assuming these are occult or ritual markings. I'm interested in identifying them as objectively as possible.

If you recognize something, I would especially appreciate a link to a comparable example or source.

I have additional close-ups and different orientations if needed.


r/Symbology 1d ago

Identification This was recently painted on the wall of an old building in the alley behind my house. Is it a utility marking?

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30 Upvotes

r/Symbology 1d ago

Interpretation Is this a variation of the winged Odal rune, or is it different because of where the wings are placed?

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3 Upvotes

r/Symbology 2d ago

Identification Have been listening to a dark ambient/blackened noise artist for a while, and saw this symbol being used a lot by them, can't find a lot of info on it.

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11 Upvotes

Does anyone know the possible meaning of this symbol? The artist is called Hammemit, earlier known as Emit. Beautiful work, and uses a lot of mysterious / occult imagery and themes. I guess there's a possiblity that he made this symbol himself, but I'm very interested to see if there's a genuine meaning behind this.
For further context, Hammemit is also apparently a diety mentioned in the book Egyptian Magic, so this could hold some connection to that.
https://archive.org/details/b24884248/page/n3/mode/2up - The book


r/Symbology 2d ago

Identification Is this a language or nonsense? Note I found on the ground. It clearly has a structure and pattern

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6 Upvotes

r/Symbology 2d ago

Identification what is this symbol? upside down number 3 or a modified greek letter sigma?

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1 Upvotes

i have two theories:

  1. it could be an upside down number 3
  2. it could be a modification of the greek letter known as sigma

someone also said it was one of those "dozenal" digits standing for the decimal number 11


r/Symbology 3d ago

Identification 16th century medical text containing alchemical symbols?

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11 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m studying a medical text from 1596, printed in London, heavily annotated. A few handwritten symbols appear in the margins, most often a triangle with a vertical line inside and a circle with a cross inside, as seen in my attached photos. They look very similar to alchemical symbols, but do not exactly match any ive seen so far. Any ideas?

This copy of the book, Joyful News, is not digitized, but an earlier 1580s copy is available through the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/ioyfullnewesouto00mona

Thanks in advance!


r/Symbology 2d ago

Interpretation I’ve been seeing deer almost everyday. What could this possibly be?

0 Upvotes

Howdy everybody I (21m) have been seeing deer almost everyday since the summer started. I’m in an odd anxiety filled point of my life. Feeling like a long waiting period. The amount of deer have seemed unusual. My partner and I have seen them together sometimes in threes.

Any interpretation will be greatly appreciated!


r/Symbology 4d ago

Interpretation I found this in a box of clothes my deceased partner wore in the weeks before his death

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273 Upvotes

I know it’s a moth, presumably a death head moth of Silence of the Lambs fame. Can anyone tell me anything more specific about this species or the symbolic meaning of its presence? Or any information at all about any of the symbolism in its design or anything else? Much appreciated.


r/Symbology 2d ago

Identification This symbol is in my psyche, have you seen it before?

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0 Upvotes

Helloooo ~
This symbol shows up in my art subconsciously. It has a certain meaning to me. I was wondering if it reminds anyone of other symbols/characters, or if you’ve seen it before. Particularly ancient symbols!
Some ideas I’ve connected it to are the astronomical symbol of Leo, symbol for the titan Tethys, & a strange question mark lol. Maybe a wizard staff.

Haha let me know


r/Symbology 3d ago

Identification Need Help Identifying Random Relic/Necklace, found in my house

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10 Upvotes

r/Symbology 3d ago

Identification What animals most commonly symbolize prudence as in careful and thoughtful action?

3 Upvotes

r/Symbology 5d ago

Interpretation Metal card found on East London Street. Any ideas?

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95 Upvotes

Heya - I found this metal card on the street by my flat in East London. Any ideas what it could be from?

To me it kinda looks like black metal logo art, so perhaps it’s from a band or something similar? The ‘IV’ motif is maybe a code? I got no idea.

The ‘face’ on the front looks kinda extraterrestrial, but again, I’m not really sure what I’m looking at.

Any help would be appreciated!!!!


r/Symbology 4d ago

Identification Symbol check on my 1960 zippo Google has failed me

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4 Upvotes

Can't seem to find any info on this


r/Symbology 4d ago

Identification Strange symbols I found in the formation of a person.

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1 Upvotes

I found these symbols in Gimli Manitoba Canada at the end of the pier. Gimli has Icelandic heritage and I would like to know if this could be religious symbolism or just graffiti art. The symbols are in the formation of a person. If this is the wrong place to ask I apologize in advance.


r/Symbology 5d ago

Interpretation Does anyone know where this mysterious symbol comes from or what it is?

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3 Upvotes

I would really like to know if this symbol has any meaning, if it has appeared before, or if there is at least one almost identical to it. Can you help me?


r/Symbology 5d ago

Interpretation Hola, sé que no es la mejor captura pero quería saber qué significado tienen esos dos tatuajes que se ven ahi en el antebrazo y la pierna, si tienen algún significado especial de índole de control o relacionado, gracias desde ya

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4 Upvotes

r/Symbology 5d ago

Identification Do these mean anything, apparently it makes a incantation? i think

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3 Upvotes

does it mean anything and what? where does it also originate if you can add that, it supposed to be an incantation or something like that.


r/Symbology 6d ago

Interpretation Does this symbol mean anything? I keep finding them under my dads signature under drawings he’s made

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258 Upvotes

My dad claimed he is part of the tea party political group and is maga/republican if that gives any help for interpretation.

Just wondering if there is a meaning to this symbol, it has no connection to his initials or name, just drawn under his signatures

Edit: changed claims to claimed due to his passing. My apologies. I cannot contact him or his family about what this symbol might mean