Fihankra

An enclosed compound with one entrance.

Also known as: House compound adinkra, Security symbol adinkra

CulturalHistorical & archaeologicalStandard profile

Meanings

The adinkra symbol fihankra, a walled house compound, documented as standing for security and the household.

Culturally establishedVerified fact
Is an adinkra symbol representing a walled house compound with a single entrance.
Contexts: Language and transcription
Culturally establishedDocumented interpretation
Is documented as standing for security, solidarity and the household in Akan usage.
Contexts: Language and transcription

A closed rectangular outline with a single break in one side standing for the entrance.

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Adinkra Symbols of West Africa
West African Wisdom project, Wesleyan University · retrieved 2026-08-23
An academic compilation of adinkra symbols with their Akan names and associated proverbs. Cited for a symbol's name, its associated proverb and the reading that proverb supports; it is one documented account of a living tradition rather than an authoritative canon.
Adinkra cloth and symbols — collection documentation
The British Museum · retrieved 2026-08-23
Museum collection documentation for Akan adinkra cloth. Cited for the existence, form and documented reading of individual symbols. Adinkra meanings are a living oral tradition with variation between sources, and records say where a reading is one account among several.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25

Meanings

The adinkra symbol fihankra, a walled house compound, documented as standing for security and the household.

Culturally establishedVerified fact

Is an adinkra symbol representing a walled house compound with a single entrance.

Culturally establishedDocumented interpretation

Is documented as standing for security, solidarity and the household in Akan usage.

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

Adinkra Symbols of West Africa
West African Wisdom project, Wesleyan University · retrieved 2026-08-23
An academic compilation of adinkra symbols with their Akan names and associated proverbs. Cited for a symbol's name, its associated proverb and the reading that proverb supports; it is one documented account of a living tradition rather than an authoritative canon.
Adinkra cloth and symbols — collection documentation
The British Museum · retrieved 2026-08-23
Museum collection documentation for Akan adinkra cloth. Cited for the existence, form and documented reading of individual symbols. Adinkra meanings are a living oral tradition with variation between sources, and records say where a reading is one account among several.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25