Ancient Symbols and Meanings Explained

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Learn about ancient symbols from around the world

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: December 10, 2025 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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• 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.

What are some common ancient symbols?

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

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Section 1 of 6:

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
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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
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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 The pentagram, or 5-pointed star, has been used since the ancient days of Egypt and Greece. 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 6:

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 6:

Ancient Norse Symbols and Their Meanings

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1. 
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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.

   • 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 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 Thor is the god of thunder in Norse mythology. He used his indestructible hammer Mjölnir to help protect gods and humans alike. Mjölnir became a symbol of protection, strength, blessing, and courage.

   • 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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Section 4 of 6:

Ancient Egyptian Symbols and Their Meanings

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1. 
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   Ankh The ankh is a symbol from ancient Egypt. It’s a T-shaped symbol with a rounded loop on top and is often depicted as being carried by gods or pharaohs. The ankh symbolizes life, eternity, and a combination of male and female energies.

   • 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. It symbolizes resurrection, eternal life, and the god Osiris. 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 staff symbolized the power of a ruler or god.

   • Dates back to: Around 3150 BC
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   Scarab Scarabs are a common symbol in ancient Egyptian art. The scarab beetle is a type of dung beetle that rolls its eggs in a ball of dung. To the Egyptians, the scarab was a symbol for life coming from death, as well as the sun’s travel across the sky.

   • Dates back to: Around 2180 BC
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   Eye of Horus The Eye of Horus—also known as the udjat or Eye of Ra—is one of ancient Egypt’s most recognizable symbols. 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. This symbol represented Aten, the sun disk, whose journey around the earth had no beginning or end. The ouroboros symbolized rebirth and perpetuity.

   • Dates back to: Around 1300 BC
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Section 5 of 6:

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 In ancient Greece, a wreath of leaves was originally associated with Apollo. These wreaths were also 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. His symbol was a staff circled by a single serpent.
   • 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. Her image was often used on doorways and shields as a way to ward off evil.

   • 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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Section 6 of 6:

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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