Ancient Symbols and Meanings Explained

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Ancient symbols expert John Paul Gomez explains ancient symbols from around the world

Co-authored by John Paul Gomez and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: January 16, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Ancient Shapes
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• Celtic Symbols
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• Norse Symbols
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• Egyptian Symbols
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• Greek Symbols
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• Eastern Symbols
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• Ancient Geometry Symbols
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• American Symbols
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• Video

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Since humankind’s earliest days, we’ve used symbols to communicate with each other. Evidence of some of these early symbols can be seen in cave and rock paintings and carvings, as well as in early art forms. In this article, we’re exploring some of the most interesting and powerful ancient symbols, from shapes and symbols found in petroglyphs (rock carvings) and cave paintings, as well as symbols from various cultures, including Celtic, Norse, and Egyptian, with insights from ancient symbols expert John Paul Gomez.

What are some common ancient symbols?

According to ancient symbols expert John Paul Gomez, some of the most powerful ancient symbols include the phoenix, ouroboros, ankh, labrys, and the scarab beetle. Other common ancient symbols include:

• Dots
• Circles
• Spirals
• Triskelion
• Shamrock
• Valknut
• Thunderbolt
• Yin Yang

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Section 1 of 8:

Ancient Symbols and Shapes

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   Circle Circles are one of the earliest known ancient symbols. While we don’t always know exactly what they meant to their creators, they may have represented existence, community, or holding something.

   • Dates back to: At least 23,000 BC

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   John Paul Gomez is a freemason, ancient symbols expert, and founder of FraternalTies based in Toronto, Canada. He has over 17 years of experience as a freemason and is the Worshipful Master of his Freemason lodge.
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   Dots Dot-like marks have been found in some of the earliest known cave paintings. While no one is exactly certain what these marks mean, it’s possible they were used as a counting system or for tracking the seasonal movements of herds.

   • Dates back to: At least 21,000 BC
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   Spiral The oldest known spiral symbol is a petroglyph in Ireland that dates back to the Neolithic period. This ancient symbol typically symbolizes spiritual growth, change, and the interconnectedness of the universe.

   • Dates back to: 4000–2000 BC
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   Lines In ancient art, a horizontal line often represents the horizon. Vertical lines can represent a connection between the earth and the heavens. Groups of lines may also have been used for tallying or counting. And while their meaning isn’t known, rock engravings made up of crisscrossing lines have been found in South Africa that could be over 330,000 years old.

   • Dates back to: 333,000–239,000 BC
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   Cross or X Intersecting lines that form a cross or X are common in ancient art. They may have been a way of mapping out a path (like a crossroads) or marking a location. They might also have been used to represent protection or the sun’s rays. Later, the cross became a sign of Christianity.

   • Dates back to: 333,000–239,000 BC
   • Gomez says that, in America, the Cross represents moral guidance and sacrifice. “While not an official national emblem, the cross is deeply embedded in American cultural and memorial iconography. It represents moral conviction, personal sacrifice, and the values many communities associate with faith and public service.”
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   Triangle Triangles are frequently found in prehistoric art, making them one of the oldest recognizable symbols. Like other art from this period, it’s not fully understood what they meant to the creators of the time. They could represent the head of an arrow or spear. Later, the triangle would come to symbolize divinity to the Egyptians, and eventually the Trinity in Christianity.

   • Dates back to: As far as 40,000 BC
   • Rows of triangles might have symbolized mountains or a crooked path, while vertically stacked triangles might have represented lightning of a connection to the gods.
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   Square or rectangle In ancient Native American rock paintings, squares and rectangles often represent a specific place. In this case, the shape is likely meant to represent boundary lines.

   • Dates back to: Square shapes are present in the South African engravings that could date back to 330,000 BC.
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   Pentagram Gomez explains, “The five-pointed star appears in Greek and later traditions as a sign of health, harmony, and human proportion. Its five points mirror the human form and, in some Christian contexts, were linked to the five wounds of Christ.” It was often used to mark tombs in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and it’s been found on coins from ancient Greece. Although it’s often associated with the occult now, it may have originally been used as a sign to ward off evil.

   • Dates back to: 6000–3100 BC
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   Octothorpe (Hashtag) One of the oldest known drawings ever discovered is of an octothorpe (which we might recognize today as a hashtag or number sign). No one is exactly sure what this symbol, made of two vertical lines intersected by two horizontal lines, would have meant in ancient times, but there are theories it might have been a spiritual symbol or may have been used to indicate ownership.

   • Dates back to: 71,000 BC
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    People It’s no surprise that early artists would have wanted to capture images of humans. A cave painting was recently discovered in Indonesia showing three human figures surrounding a pig—the earliest known drawing of a person and the first known example of storytelling.

    • Dates back to: 49,000 BC
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    Animals Early people had a close connection to nature, relying on animals for food, clothing, and shelter. While animals sometimes held a deeper symbolism in ancient art, it’s likely that the earliest petroglyphs were meant to be interpreted literally. For instance, a drawing (or “pictograph”) of a bird would have been intended to represent an actual bird.

    • Dates back to: 49,000 BC
    • Some of the common animals in ancient art include horses, bison, elk, deer, moose, boars, bears, wolves, and ravens.
    • These pictographs may have been used for tracking herds or recording successful hunts.
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Section 2 of 8:

Ancient Celtic Symbols and Their Meanings

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   Triskelion The Triskelion is a Celtic symbol made of three interconnected spirals. It actually predates the Celtic people, but it was adopted by their culture as a symbol for the heavens, earth, and spiritual world, as well as the cycle of birth, life, and death.

   • Dates back to: Around 3200 BC
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   Triquetra The Triquetra, or Trinity Knot, is a symbol made up of three interconnected triangles. It represents the division of the world into the earth, sea, and sky. It can also represent the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It was later adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the Trinity.

   • Dates back to: About 400 BC
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   Tree of Life The Tree of Life has been used throughout multiple cultures, but it’s most commonly associated with Celtic symbolism. Here, it represents balance, resilience, wisdom, and the cycle of life. In ancient Egypt, it represented destiny and knowledge.

   • Dates back to: The earliest known use of the Tree of Life is from Turkey in about 7000 BC.
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   Shamrock The shamrock, or three-leaf clover, is one of the most recognizable symbols from Celtic culture. The Celts considered the shamrock a sacred plant. The symbolism deepened after St. Patrick used a shamrock to describe the concept of the Trinity to the people of Ireland.

   • Dates back to: As far as 100 BC
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Section 3 of 8:

Ancient Norse Symbols and Their Meanings

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   Valknut The Valknut is a Norse symbol made up of three interconnected triangles. It’s commonly found at burial sites, and it represents the god Odin, courage, warriors who died during battle, and the cycle of life. “Appearing on stones associated with Odin, the Valknut’s interlocking triangles symbolize the transition between life and death,” Gomez explains. “It evokes courage and the warrior’s bond with the divine.”

   • Note: The term valknut is a modern one; the original name for the symbol is not known.
   • Dates back to: 600 CE
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   Yggdrasil—The Tree of Life According to Gomez, “Yggdrasil’s immense trunk and branches connect gods, humans, and spirits. It symbolizes the interconnected structure of the cosmos and the living web holding all realms together.” Much like the Celtic Tree of Life, Yggdrasil represents life and wisdom. It also symbolizes growth, the life cycle, and creation. This giant ash tree is said to bind the universe together.

   • Dates back to: 1300 CE
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   Mjölnir—Thor’s Hammer Gomez notes this symbol is also known as the Hammer of Protection. “Thor’s hammer is among the most common symbols of the Norse world. Worn as an amulet, it conveyed protection, consecration, and the courage to resist destructive forces,” he says. Thor is the god of thunder in Norse mythology.

   • Dates back to: 800 CE
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   Gungnir—Odin’s Spear Much like Thor’s Hammer, the spear Gungnir is an unbreakable weapon of the gods. Wielded by Odin, Gungnir never missed its target. To the ancient Norse, Gungnir symbolized courage, wisdom, strength, and sacrifice.

   • Dates back to: 800 CE
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   Vegvísir—Wayfinder Sigil Gomez explains, “Recorded in later Icelandic manuscripts, the Vegvísir is described as a symbol aiding navigation through storms and uncertainty. Today it represents guidance, resilience, and staying on course.”

   • Dates back to: Unknown
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   Aegishjálmur—Helm of Awe Gomez notes, “Preserved in Icelandic grimoires, this radiating stave was believed to inspire fearlessness and mental strength. It reflects the inner resolve sought before entering danger or conflict.”

   • Dates back to: 13th century AD
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Section 4 of 8:

Ancient Egyptian Symbols and Their Meanings

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   Ankh Gomez says, “The Ankh, the ancient Egyptian ‘Key of Life,’ represents vitality and enduring existence. Its loop suggests eternal life, while the crossbar and stem relate to earthly experience and the union of complementary forces. Deities are often shown bestowing it to affirm life in this world and the next.”

   • Dates back to: Around 3150 BC
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   Djed The djed is a column with a flared base and top, with four parallel horizontal lines crossing the top. Gomez says, “Linked with Osiris, the Djed pillar represents stability, continuity, and structural integrity. Ritual ‘raising of the Djed’ ceremonies expressed renewal and the triumph of order.” Djed were frequently placed on the bottoms of sarcophagi to help the spirits of the dead enter the afterlife.

   • Dates back to: Around 6000 BC
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   Was scepter The was scepter is a staff with the head of a dog or a fox at the top. It was sometimes depicted as being forked at the bottom. “The Was scepter, held by gods and pharaohs, signifies rulership over both earthly and spiritual realms,” says Gomez. “Its distinctive head and forked base mark it as a symbol of divine authority.”

   • Dates back to: Around 3150 BC
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   Scarab Gomez explains, “Associated with the sun god Khepri, the scarab symbolizes rebirth and daily regeneration. Its movement pushing a sphere resembled the sun’s journey, making it a powerful amulet of protection and transformation.” Scarabs are a common symbol in ancient Egyptian art.

   • Dates back to: Around 2180 BC
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   Eye of Horus The Eye of Horus is one of ancient Egypt’s most recognizable symbols. “Also called the Wedjat, this symbol embodies healing and protective power,” Gomez explains. “Rooted in the myth of Horus’s restored eye, it was worn to safeguard health, ward off harm, and bring spiritual balance.” It was used to depict the watchful eye of the gods and is a prominent symbol in many myths.

   • Dates back to: About 2500 BC
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   Lotus flower The lotus flower, or sensen, appears frequently in ancient Egyptian art. It represents life, daybreak, and the god Osiris. It was also used as the symbol for Upper Egypt.

   • Dates back to: Around 2800 BC
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   Ouroboros The Ouroboros is a symbol of a snake eating its own tail. According to Gomez, “The Ouroboros expresses the continual cycle of creation, dissolution, and renewal. Appearing in Egyptian and later Hellenistic texts, it symbolizes the idea that beginnings and endings form a seamless circle.”

   • Dates back to: Around 1300 BC
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   Phoenix Gomez explains, “Inspired partly by the Egyptian bennu bird, the Phoenix symbolizes renewal after destruction. Its cycle of burning and rebirth represents resilience, immortality of spirit, and the triumph of life over adversity.”

   • Dates back to: Around 2700 BC
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   Shen ringGomez says the shen ring represents eternal protection. “A knotted loop forming a perfect circle, the Shen ring represents eternity and safeguarding. Deities often encircle names and objects with it to grant perpetual protection.”

   • Dates back to: Around 3000 BC
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    Feather of Ma’at According to Gomez, the feather of Ma’at represents truth and moral balance. “Ma’at’s feather symbolizes truth, order, and justice. In the judgment of the dead, a person’s heart was weighed against this feather—its lightness representing a life lived in harmony with cosmic law,” he notes.

    • Dates back to: Around 2375–2345 BC
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Section 5 of 8:

Ancient Greek Symbols and Their Meanings

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   Thunderbolt In ancient Greek mythology, the thunderbolt represented Zeus, the ruler of the gods. Zeus wielded the thunderbolt as a weapon, and it symbolized his almighty power. Coins featuring Zeus and his thunderbolt have been found from as far back as the 5th century BC.

   • Dates back to: At least 400 BC
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   Laurel wreath Gomez says the laurel wreath represents victory and honor. “Sacred to Apollo, the laurel wreath crowned poets, athletes, and leaders. It signifies excellence, accomplishment, and the prestige earned through merit,” he notes. These wreaths were granted to the winners of contests of all sorts, including writing, sports, and military exercises. As such, they became a symbol of honor, achievement, and excellence.

   • Dates back to: At least 776 BC, when the first Olympic games were held
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   Caduceus The caduceus is an ancient symbol that’s still used frequently today. It depicts Hermes’ winged staff surrounded by two intertwined snakes. In ancient Greece, it would have stood for speed and diplomacy.

   • Did you know? Today, the caduceus is commonly used as a symbol for the medical field—but that’s largely due to a mix-up. The caduceus resembles the rod of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. Gomez says, “[This] staff entwined by a single serpent represents the healing arts. The serpent’s renewal through shedding parallels recovery, while the staff reflects the steady guidance of the healer.”
   • Dates back to: 1400 BC
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   Gorgoneion The Gorgoneion is a symbol of the Medusa head: a woman’s face with snakes for hair. Gomez says, “The stylized head of Medusa served as a powerful protective emblem. Placed on shields, armor, and architecture, it was believed to avert evil with its confronting gaze.”

   • Dates back to: At least 700 BC
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   Heart Although the heart shape didn’t come to symbolize romantic love until around the 13th century, this familiar symbol is frequently seen in Ancient Greek and Roman art—usually depicting ivy, grape, or fig leaves.

   • Dates back to: At least 500 BC
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   Labrys According to Gomez, “Prominent in Minoan Crete, the Labrys appears in ritual and palace contexts. While its precise meaning remains debated, it stands as a potent emblem of sacred authority and ceremonial power.”

   • Dates back to: About 2000–1450 BC
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   Owl of Athena According to Gomez, the owl of Athena represents wisdom and clear sight. “The owl, companion of Athena, represents intelligence and keen perception. Appearing frequently on Athenian coinage, it symbolizes the city’s intellectual and civic identity,” he says.

   • Dates back to: 600 BC
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   Cornucopia Gomez says this symbol is also known as The Horn of Plenty. “Rooted in Greek and Roman myth, the cornucopia symbolizes nourishment, prosperity, and abundance. Its overflowing contents represent the blessings of a fertile and harmonious society,” he notes.

   • Dates back to: 5th century BC
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Section 6 of 8:

Ancient Eastern Symbols and Their Meanings

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   Yin and Yang Together, yin and yang make up an ancient Chinese symbol for balance, harmony, and opposites. It can be used to symbolize light and darkness, doing and rest, or fire and water. It also represents the flow of energy through the universe.

   • Dates back to: At least 1300 BC
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   Faravahar The Faravahar is an ancient Persian symbol. It features a winged disk with a man seated in the center. The original meaning has been lost, although it’s believed to have been associated with Zoroastrianism. Today, it’s often used as a symbol for enlightenment or the soul rising above earthly struggles.

   • Dates back to: Around 550 BC
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   Torii Gate The Torii Gate is a Japanese symbol of protection. It was believed that these bright red gates, which were often placed at temple entrances, would bar evil spirits. They also helped create a symbolic separation between regular spaces and sacred ones.

   • Dates back to: Around 500 CE
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   Hamsa The Hamsa hand, also known as the Hand of Fatima, has been used as a symbol in Jewish and Islamic cultures for thousands of years. In Islam, it’s a symbol used to ward off the Evil Eye, and in Judaism, it represents Moses’ sister Miriam. It can also represent the 5 pillars or Islam or the 5 books of the Torah.

   • Dates back to: Around 4000 BC
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Section 7 of 8:

Ancient Geometry Symbols and Their Meanings

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   Overlapping Circles Pattern – Interconnected Forms “Variations of interlocking circles appear across ancient art,” Gomez notes. “In modern interpretation, this arrangement is sometimes called the ‘Flower of Life,’ expressing interconnectedness and the elegance of geometric order. The pattern reflects humanity’s longstanding use of geometry to express harmony.”

   • Dates back to: 7th century BC
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   Vesica Piscis – Union of Worlds According to Gomez, “Formed by the overlap of two identical circles, the Vesica Piscis symbolizes the threshold between two realms—spiritual and material. In sacred art, it often represents a generative “womb” from which new creation emerges.”

   • Dates back to: 4000 BC
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   Tetractys – Harmony of Number Gomez explains, “A triangular arrangement of ten points, the Tetractys was revered by Pythagoreans as the structure underlying reality. It encodes musical ratios and expresses the belief that number and proportion govern the cosmos.”

   • Dates back to: 5th century BC
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   Golden Ratio (Φ) – Ideal Proportion “Recognized by Greek mathematicians and applied in classical geometry, the Golden Ratio describes a proportion widely associated with balance and aesthetic harmony,” notes Gomez. “Later generations celebrated it as a guide to beauty in architecture and design.”

   • Dates back to: 500-300 BC
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Section 8 of 8:

United States Symbols and Their Meanings

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   Fasces Gomez says the fasces represents strength through unity. “The fasces, a bundle of rods bound around an axe, originates in ancient Rome as a symbol of lawful authority. Adopted in early American civic art, it represents the idea that individual states, like the rods, are stronger when bound together in unity under a common government.”

   • Dates back to: 630-625 BC
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   Bald Eagle According to Gomez, the bald eagle represents freedom and vigilance. “Chosen in 1782 as the national bird, the bald eagle embodies independence, resilience, and keen vision. Its outstretched wings and commanding stature reflect the nation’s ideals of liberty and the responsibility to guard those freedoms.”

   • Dates back to: 1782 AD
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   Liberty Cap & Liberty Figure Gomez notes that these represent the spirit of independence. “The Phrygian cap, worn by freed slaves in ancient Rome, became an emblem of liberty during the American and French revolutions. It often appears atop a staff held by the personified figure of Liberty, symbolizing emancipation from tyranny and the enduring pursuit of freedom.”

   • Dates back to: 500 BC
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   The Olive Branch Gomez says this symbolizes peace and diplomacy. “An ancient Mediterranean symbol, the olive branch appears prominently on the Great Seal of the United States. Held in the eagle’s right talon, it signifies the nation’s preference for peace and diplomacy while maintaining readiness to defend its principles.”

   • Dates back to: 500 BC
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