The Most Common Jewish Symbols & Their Meanings

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There are many traditional symbols and signs you may see in traditional Jewish households and synagogues. Some of these are recognizable to many non-Jewish people, like the menorah and the Star of David, but others may be unfamiliar. In this article, we’ll teach you all about the common and historical symbols of Judaism and what they represent. Keep reading to learn more.

Common Jewish Symbols

Symbols of Judaism Summary
  • Menorah: a seven-branched candelabrum that symbolizes light, wisdom, and divine inspiration.
  • Star of David: a six-pointed star that symbolizes Judaism and Jewish identity.
  • Dreidel: A top that is played with during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
  • Hamsa: A hand-shaped amulet believed to protect against the evil eye.
  • Kippah/Yarmulke: A small cap worn by Jewish men as a sign of reverence for God.
Section 1 of 4:

Common Symbols of Judaism

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  1. Step 1 Menorah
    The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum that stood in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. It represents light, wisdom, and divine inspiration. It appears in the Emblem of Israel, and Jewish people often light a menorah during the celebration of Hanukkah.[1]
  2. 2
    Star of David The Star of David is a six-pointed star associated with Jewish identity and Judaism as a whole. In Hebrew, it’s called “the shield of David,” though there is no proof David ever saw or used it. Jewish lore also links the symbol to the Seal of Solomon, a magical signet ring King Solomon used to control demons and spirits. The Star of David is found on the flag of Israel.[2]
    • The flag of Israel has historically been a notable Jewish symbol, but today, many Jews choose not to display it because they do not support Israel’s actions against Palestine.
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  3. 3
    Torah Scroll In Jewish culture, an image of a scroll represents the Torah, which is the handwritten scroll containing the first 5 books of the Bible. It represents the central text of Jewish life and worship.[3]
  4. 4
    Dreidel A dreidel is a spinning top that is a part of a holiday game played during Hanukkah. The letters on each side stand for the words, “A great miracle has happened there.” It serves as a reminder that God did a miracle for His people.[4]
  5. 5
    Chai (חי) “Chai” is the Hebrew word for “life.” It often appears on jewelry and other Judaica objects to signify the importance of life and to remind of the Giver of Life. A common toast on Jewish holidays and occasions is ‘L’Chaim,” which means “to life!”[5]
    • The word “chai” is spelled with the Hebrew letters “chet” and “yud,” and has a numerical value of 18. Because of this, Jewish people often give gifts or donate to charity in amounts that are multiples of 18.[6]
  6. 6
    Hamsa A hamsa is a hand-shaped amulet that represents the hand of God and is believed to protect against the evil eye and bring blessings, power, and strength. It is a modern good luck charm and decoration. The hamsa is also a Muslim symbol and is sometimes considered controversial because the Bible considers using charms to be idolatry.[7]
  7. 7
    Tree of Life (Etz Chaim) The Tree of Life is often a metaphor for the Torah, and the term is first used in Genesis when God tells Adam and Eve that they can eat from any fruit in the Garden of Eden apart from the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The tree represents wisdom and growth and is often depicted in Jewish art and used in the design of synagogue arks.[8]
  8. 8
    Evil Eye (Ayin Hara) The evil eye is an eye symbol often paired with the hamsa or other protective amulets. It is believed to protect the wearer from envy or harm caused by negative thoughts or intentions. Despite being called the evil eye, the symbol protects against the true evil eye.[9]
  9. 9
    Mezuzah A mezuzah is a small case placed on the doorposts of traditional Jewish homes. It contains a parchment scroll with Hebrew verses (usually the Shema prayer) and serves as a constant reminder of God’s presence and God’s mitzvot. It’s typically attached to the upper part of the right-hand doorpost as one enters the home.[10]
  10. 10
    Seder Plate A Seder plate is a special plate used during the Jewish Passover Seder that holds 6 symbolic foods that represent the Exodus story: shank bone, egg, bitter herbs, charoset paste, karpas, and matzah. Each food represents an aspect of the Israelites’ journey to freedom, and the plate serves as a central teaching tool to help tell the Passover story.[11]
    • The shank bone (often a roasted chicken bone) symbolizes the Paschal lamb sacrifice.
    • The egg symbolizes the festival sacrifice and the cycle of life.
    • Bitter herbs symbolize the bitterness of slavery in Egypt.
    • Charoset represents the mortar used by slaves to build bricks.
    • Karpas symbolizes the flourishing of the Israelites and the tears they shed
    • Matzah symbolizes the haste of the Israelites’ departure from Egypt.
  11. 11
    Siddur “Siddur” means “order” in Hebrew and refers to a Jewish prayer book that compiles Jewish liturgy. It includes fixed texts and structures of prayer from the Torah and from Nevi’im (prophets). Various prayers have been added to the siddur over time.[12]
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Section 2 of 4:

Jewish Symbols in the Bible

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  1. Step 1 Shofar
    “Shofar” is the Hebrew name for “ram’s horn.” It is a symbolic instrument that represents the High Holy Days and is used in Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur observances. It symbolizes a call to repentance and encourages Jewish people to stand firm with and before God.[13]
  2. 2
    Tablets of the Law The Tablets of the Law are two tablets with rounded tops that represent the Ten Commandments Moses received from God on Mount Sinai. They symbolize the covenant between God and the Jewish people.[14]
  3. 3
    Lion of Judah The Lion of Judah often appears as a lion or pair of lions used as heraldic supporters, especially on the Tablets of Law. It is a symbol of strength and leadership that also points to the lineage of King David and the Messiah. The Tanakh also compares the tribes of Judah and Dan to lions, saying, “Judah is a lion’s whelp.”[15]
  4. 4
    Aaron’s Breastplate (Choshen) This breastplate was worn by the High Priest and featured 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. It is named after Aaron because God granted Aaron’s descendants the honor of serving as priests. It represents leadership and divine guidance.[16]
  5. 5
    Dove & Olive Branch The dove and olive branch are symbols of peace that were mentioned early on in the Bible. After the flood, Noah was eager to find dry land and sent out a dove in search of it. The dove returned with an olive branch in its beak. Because of this, it symbolizes harmony, hope, and a new season of peace.[17]
  6. 6
    Matzah Matzah is unleavened bread that Jewish people eat during Passover. The ancient Israelites left Egypt in such a hurry that they did not have time for their bread to rise. Matzah is eaten in remembrance of the Exodus, often in place of bread.[18]
  7. 7
    Lulav, Etrog, and Hoshanot “Lulav” is the Hebrew name for “palm branch,” “etrog” is a citron, and “hoshanot” are willow branches. These are used during the Sukkot holiday and are a part of the Hoshanah Rabbah ritual, as described in the Bible.
  8. 8
    Sukkah A sukkah is a temporary shelter built for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. It represents the shelters the Israelites lived in during their journey in the desert. God commanded His people to build these shelters every year as a reminder of His protection and sustenance during the Israelites’ escape from Egypt.[19]
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Section 3 of 4:

Jewish Symbols from History

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  1. Step 1 Kippah (Yarmulke)
    The kippah, or yarmulke, is a small cap worn on the heads of Jewish men as a sign of reverence and recognition of a higher authority. It’s worn during prayer, the study of religious texts, and or at all times depending on individual or community practices.[20]
  2. 2
    Challah Challah is a type of braided bread that symbolizes the manna God provided to the Israelites in the desert. It is traditionally eaten on ceremonial occasions like Shabbat and major Jewish holidays. It’s typically rolled into a round shape to symbolize the cyclical nature of the year.[21]
  3. 3
    Ketubah In addition to signing their legal marriage documents, Jewish couples also sign a Ketubah at their wedding. The Ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract that symbolizes and outlines a couple’s commitment to each other. It is signed before the ceremony and displayed as a reminder of vows.[22]
  4. 4
    Shabbat Candles Lighting the candles is often the first traditional element of a Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner. They’re lit on Friday evening before sunset to usher in the Jewish Sabbath and symbolize the Biblical commandments to remember and observe the Sabbath.[23]
  5. 5
    Havdalah Candle Havdalah candles are braided candles with multiple wicks that are used at the end of Shabbat. They symbolize the separation of the holy day from the ordinary week. The light provided by the candles represents hope, unity, and the ability to bring clarity to darkness.[24]
  6. 6
    Yad (Torah Pointer) A Yad is a decorative pointer used to read the Torah scroll without touching it directly. It is used by scholars and Jewish people around the world to show respect for sacred texts.[25]
  7. 7
    Kiddush Cup A kiddush cup is a ceremonial goblet used to bless wine on Shabbat and holidays. The cup is filled with wine, someone says a blessing over it, and then everyone takes a sip. It symbolizes the transition from the ordinary to the sacred.[26]
  8. 8
    Synagogue Arc (Aron Kodesh) “Aron kodesh” translates to “holy arc” and refers to the cabinet in a synagogue which holds the sacred Torah scrolls. These are central fixtures that are positioned on the eastern wall so that worshipers face Jerusalem when facing the arc. The synagogue arc serves as a reminder of the Biblical Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that contained the Ten Commandments.[27]
  9. 9
    Chuppah A chuppah is a canopy Jewish couples stand under during their wedding ceremony. It symbolizes their new home together and represents the Biblical tent of Abraham, which was open on all sides to welcome guests.[28]
  10. 10
    Priestly Blessing Hands The Priestly Blessing hands refer to the shape of the hand gesture performed by kohanim during the Priestly Blessing. The symbol is often found on tombstones of Jewish people who were members of the Cohen priestly clan. The gesture is reserved for Cohens who are actively reciting the blessing, so it is rarely used.[29]
  11. 11
    The Seven Species According to Scripture, the land of Israel was blessed with 7 species: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Depictions of these species are often found in synagogue decor as a symbol of the homeland. They’ve even been found in ancient archaeological ruins and on Jewish coins dating back to the Bar Kochva period.[30]
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Section 4 of 4:

Other Jewish Symbols

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  1. Step 1 Tallit
    A tallit is a prayer shawl that Jewish people wear during prayers to remind them of the commandments of the Torah.[31] Each tallit is supposed to have blue and white fringes, or tzitzit in Hebrew. While the tallit does not appear in the Bible, God told Moses to instruct the people to wear tzitzit on the corners of their garments as a reminder to obey Him.
  2. 2
    Grape Cluster While a cluster of grapes does appear in the Bible, it did not become a Jewish symbol until much later. It is now associated with the abundance in the land of Israel and represents prosperity. It is a reminder of the richness of the land that God gave to His people.[32]
  3. 3
    Mikveh Mikveh is a ritual bath used for purification. The water symbolizes spiritual renewal and cleansing. The Scripture often commands believers to take ritual baths to present themselves as clean before God. The act was also the inspiration behind the ministry of John the Baptist.[33]
  4. 4
    Shema “Shema” is a Hebrew word for “listen” or “hear” and is a symbol of Jewish faith and devotion. It is the first word of a declaration from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 that has come to define Jewish identity: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Many Jews recite these words every morning and evening.[34]
  5. 5
    Tefillin (Phylacteries) Tefillin are a pair of black leather boxes that contain parchment scrolls with Torah verses. They’re worn by Jewish men during weekday morning prayers, typically on the head and upper arm.[35] Tefillin are used as a literal interpretation of Deuteronomy 6:8, which says, “You shall bind [the law] as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes.”
  6. 6
    Shin (שׁ) “Shin” is the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet and symbolizes El Shaddai, one of the Names of God in Judaism. It is often depicted on ritual objects like the mezuzah and tefillin and in the hand gesture of the Priestly Blessing, a traditional benediction from the Torah.[36]
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/menorah
  2. ↑ https://journeys.uscj.org/symbols-that-proudly-display-our-heritage/
  3. ↑ https://travelujah.com/jewish-symbols/
  4. ↑ https://travelujah.com/jewish-symbols/
  5. ↑ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/what-is-chai/
  6. ↑ https://journeys.uscj.org/symbols-that-proudly-display-our-heritage/
  7. ↑ https://journeys.uscj.org/symbols-that-proudly-display-our-heritage/
  8. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2277982/jewish/Etz-Chayim-The-Tree-of-Life-in-the-Bible-and-Beyond.htm
  9. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mesopotamian-religion/Stages-of-religious-development
  1. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z2tpjty/revision/1
  2. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1998/jewish/Passover-Seder-Plate.htm
  3. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/682092/jewish/The-Siddur.htm
  4. ↑ https://travelujah.com/jewish-symbols/
  5. ↑ https://exodus-project.eu/?page_id=1448
  6. ↑ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-the-lion-of-judah-became-a-jewish-symbol/
  7. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3960528/jewish/The-High-Priests-Breastplate-Choshen.htm
  8. ↑ https://journeys.uscj.org/symbols-that-proudly-display-our-heritage/
  9. ↑ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/matzah/
  10. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/609535/jewish/What-Is-a-Sukkah.htm
  11. ↑ https://exodus-project.eu/?page_id=1448
  12. ↑ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/challah/
  13. ↑ https://beinecke.library.yale.edu/collections/highlights/art-ketubah-decorated-jewish-marriage-contracts
  14. ↑ https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-symbols/candlesticks/
  15. ↑ https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-symbols/candlesticks/
  16. ↑ https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-symbols/yad/
  17. ↑ https://travelujah.com/jewish-symbols/
  18. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/365931/jewish/The-Holy-Ark-Aron-Hakodesh.htm
  19. ↑ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/chuppah/
  20. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2878949/jewish/Is-the-Vulcan-Salute-a-Jewish-Symbol.htm
  21. ↑ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-seven-species/
  22. ↑ https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-symbols/overview-of-jewish-symbols/
  23. ↑ https://www.jtsa.edu/torah/grapes-of-zion/
  24. ↑ https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/mikveh
  25. ↑ https://journeys.uscj.org/symbols-that-proudly-display-our-heritage/
  26. ↑ https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-symbols/overview-of-jewish-symbols/
  27. ↑ https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/shin/

About This Article

Danya Ruttenberg
Co-authored by:
Danya Ruttenberg
Rabbi and Judaism Expert
This article was co-authored by Danya Ruttenberg and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg is an award-winning author of eight books, a highly sought-after keynote speaker and lecturer, was named by Newsweek and The Daily Beast as one of "ten rabbis to watch," was named a "faith leader to watch" by the Center for American Progress, and has been a Sunday Washington Post crossword clue (83 Down). She has written for outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Newsweek, and Time, and has been featured on NPR, the Today Show, USA Today, CNN, MTV News, and more. She is the founder of Life is a Sacred Text, a project bringing liberation-forward nourishment for the heart, soul, and noggin for folks of any and no spiritual or religious inclination, filled with essays, text studies, guided discussions, and more, with a vibrant community of over 35,000 people.
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Updated: December 10, 2025
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