We'd like to use analytics cookies to understand which symbols people look up, so we know what to research next. They are not used for advertising and we set none of them unless you say yes. What we store.
Symbols whose meaning is genuinely unsettled, or which come from traditions that kept their reading deliberately closed. The mystery is in the record, not manufactured for effect.
Where a symbol appears here because its meaning is disputed, the disputes are set out on its own page rather than left as atmosphere.
Something this symbol is documented to represent is associated with this idea. That is a fact about the recorded meaning, not a claim that everyone perceives the symbol this way.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to competing accounts: “…abbreviations used in colonial commerce; competing accounts exist and the specific derivation is not settled”
An S crossed by one or two vertical strokes, used for dollar and peso currencies.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to no single documented origin: “…the attribution is folk tradition with no single documented origin and no authority behind it”
A clover with four leaflets instead of three, taken as a sign of luck.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to undeciphered: “Retains undeciphered signs, so a complete reading is not available for…”
A rounded square packed with smaller signs.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to not known: “Designates a comet not known to be periodic”
The letter C with a year and code.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to competing accounts: “…around a column, which is one of several competing accounts rather than an established derivation”
Two columns wound with a scrolling banner.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to competing account: “…Latin imperative recipe, meaning 'take'. A competing account derives it from the astrological sign of Jupiter…”
A capital letter R with a stroke across its leg, heading a prescription.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to undeciphered: “Remains undeciphered: no proposed reading is accepted by the field”
A script that is not read.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to not known: “The purpose is not known. Readings advanced by scholars include a warning against…”
A female figure displaying her genitals, carved on a church or castle.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to not known: “…the birds' purpose at Great Zimbabwe is not known, and modern interpretations are conjecture”
A stylised bird of prey perched on a plinth with a chevron band.
A documented meaning of this symbol refers to undeciphered: “…disrupted, and parts of the repertory remain undeciphered”
Hooked and banner-like marks above Church Slavonic text.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A winged staff with two serpents wound around it, originally the attribute of Hermes (Mercury), the messenger god.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A cross with a ring encircling the intersection of its arms.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A stylised lily of three petals bound at the base, long used in French heraldry.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A cross before a date meaning the person died then.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
An open right-hand palm, often with an eye motif, used across Jewish, Muslim, Christian and secular Middle Eastern/North African traditions as a protective symbol.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A painted circular geometric design on Pennsylvania Dutch barns.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A chalk or coal mark left on a gatepost as a message to the next traveller.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
An iron horseshoe hung as a charm, conventionally with the ends upward.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A letter turned around in the margin.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
Signs for the units of a date.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A revived script made official.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
The sacred syllable and symbol ॐ, representing the totality of existence in Hinduism, and used with distinct meanings in Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A vertical stroke separating two words.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A pink awareness ribbon, associated with breast cancer.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A red paper or enamel poppy worn in remembrance of war dead.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A five-by-five letter square reading the same in four directions.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A three-leaved clover, the emblem of Ireland.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
Squares of design on Inca cloth.
Its reading is genuinely unsettled in the sources, and Symbolwise records the disagreement rather than picking a side.
A bronze cross pattée bearing a lion and crown, the highest British gallantry award.