Welcome!
Please pardon our Dust…the bulk of the symbol dictionary should be posted by the end of the month. If there is something in particular you would like to see first, please let me know here. This IS the original, authentic Visual Glossary of Religious Symbols published in 2001 and formerly hosted by About.com. This site will be the permanent home for the glossary, and we will continue the regular additions and updates.
How to use this site
If you are looking for a symbol you’ve seen but can’t identify, try the visual indexes at right.
If you want to browse symbols by genre, faith, or type, try the categories. If you want to view related symbol ideas, try searching by tag (ie, star, circle, magic, etc.)
Feel free to suggest tags. If you don’t see the symbol you’re looking for or have other comments or questions, don’t hesitate to contact me, either through the comment form below, or email:
symboldictionaryATgmail.com
You may also use the comment forms on any relevant page and check back for your answer.
If you are interested in publishing excerpts, or would like to use one of two images for a project, please drop me a line- I do grant permission in most cases- however, copying without permission or attribution is not allowed.
Use of materials offline for personal use, classroom use, etc., is almost always permitted.
How to cite this site:
Emick, Jennifer, [page title], http://symboldictionary.net [retrieval date]
If using an excerpt:
Copyright Jennifer , 2005-2009, [page title, linked to relevant page]
A Note on Copyright
The symbol glossary, definitions, images (ahem), look and feel of the site, etc., are copyrighted. Due to an extraordinary amount of recent plagiarism, I may or may not send a courtesy note to an offending webmaster before requesting a page be removed by its hosting company and/or de-indexed from Google.I hate to do this, but excessive copying damages my copyright and makes this site more difficult to find.
The small amount of revenue generated by advertising on the site allows me to offer my work free to the public. If you like what you see here, please bookmark or link to the site, do not copy it to your own site/blog/newsgroup. A small excerpt with a link back is acceptable. If you are interested in reprinting an article, please contact me for a fee schedule.
Taking content without permission is stealing. If you have read all of my warnings and still find it necessary to take my work without paying for it, you accept the consequences.
How you can Help
The easiest thing you can do to help this site survive is share it! Tell your friends, link to us, add us to your Reddit or Stumbleupon links.
Donations to help with server costs are always welcome. I will entertain limited advertising but I do not participate in link exchanges. (I am happy to link to relevant related sites, though-just drop a line).
Tattoo Information:
I am usually happy to oblige readers who need larger images of my drawings for personal tattoo needs as time permits, just write me at the address above. However, the images I provide are for one-time personal use only, and not to be included in any collections or offered to any third party.
~~Jennifer
Privacy Statement:
We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
May we use the words, not images, for public education on what the Day of the Dead means? This would be during a four-week art exhibit in Prescott AZ at a not-for-profit art gallery.
As long as there’s attribution, I have no objections.
There are two Astrological symbols you might want to consider. First, the dwarf planet Eris has a symbol created by Astrologer Henry Seltzer. It looks like the Mars symbol, but it is pointing down. This is appropriate since Eris was the sister of the God of War and was known to be a backstabber. Also, there is another symbol for the asteroid Vesta. It looks like ‘ inside of v inside of V. It is supposed to represent the hearth and flame.
Hi,
I’m looking into a symbol which I cannot seem to find anywhere. It is a Z with the base of the Z formed into a triangle so it looks like the delta symbol (except more geometrical), but backwards. if you email me back, I can send you a picture. Something like this:
____
/
/\
/ \
——-
If you can help, that would be amazing.
Thank you,
Ali
Hi Marlene- I have written published works, including a book on Celtic mythology. I have not published a symbol book, because so far, all offers so far would have required me to remove the content from this site, which I am reluctant to do.
Also, one more thing, I didn’t see the hand-over-one-eye gesture on this site. Most popular music stars are covering one eye in their still photography. I assumed it was related to Horus, the all seeing eye. Is this what you have discovered as well?
Thanks
Jen — can’t tell you how much I appreciate your website, which I just discovered by “accident”. Have always had a problem with symbols (despite being very intuitive) and think your website may solve this concern
In companionship —
Lynne
What is the Ontological Approach of the A:.A:. on the Ecathological Spirit of many people who belive hte End of The World is very close to us? Any Cogitations?
Hello Jenn,
Could you guys possibly think of creating an app for this website? For smart phones, it’s a headache having to go to the web on my phone, I’d love to have it as an app. phenomenal site!!!
Cheers!
Amazing sight by the way but if it’s no trouble could you please identify a symbol for me, it would apear to be an arrow of some sort with leg shaped bottom and it’s got a gap in the middle and on the top is a triangle and yes it is as I’ve said shaped whole like a triangle. I would very much appreciate it if you could identify it for me.
Regards,
Matt
Thanks for including the information about how to cite this page here! It took me some poking around to find it, though (I am using it as a source in a thesis I’m writing for school about pagan symbols in Gawain in the Green Knight). It would be great if there was information on the authorship/how to cite on each page, though. I understand if this is too much work – it’s just a suggestion. Anyway… I found the information so I can properly cite the source, so yay! Thanks again.
I am an inconsiderate jerk who can’t use grownup words to communicate. Please ban me.
Like Tim Leary said, Monique, “Infinity is 8 spelled sideways”. Always about which way you’re looking at The Way Things Are. Backwards, they’re double e’s, if you please.
I would like to know what it means to constantly see the number 33, every where I go I see it, be it the clock, millage on the car, license plates, receipts, road signs ect!!!! this has been happening since october 2010 if anyone can tell me what this means i really want to know.
Thanks
Hi Jennifer-
Your site is fantastic! I’ve drawn the chalk horse without knowing that was what I was drawing since I was a kid. Imagine my surprise when I saw it on the website! As an author of a series that deals with myth and magick I would like permission to mention your site as one my characters might use for research? Would that be okay?
Thank you and thanks again for the great site. I’m going to get my first tattoo of the horse now that I know it is important to me for some reason and I can show someone a better drawn example. Is that okay too?
Heather Savage
aka HK Savage
author, The Path (March 2012)
I have no problem with that Heather, and thank you for the compliment.
AMAZING SITE.
THNX .
Hi. Site Most Extraordinary, as Aldous wouldst say. Haven’t done any gleaning on this site, but has anyones o’ youse guys ever heard of Fred Gettings? Preachin’ to th’ choir? Posit posited.
i’ve recently started practicing with the rune cards>I’ve had much sucess.I would like to be taught some more.If there is anybody in the New York City area that would like to help me out or knows where I could go to find out please email me at jcav66ATyahoo.com.
Hello Jennifer,
We would be interested in publishing some of your work on symbols in our upcoming issue of Serendipity Magazine, the theme of which is Symbolism in Art. We are particularly interested in your article about the origins of symbols in your posting ‘Secret Language of Symbols’. If you would be interested in sharing your work with our magazine, please send us an email so we can discuss the details of the publication. We thank you for your time.
SiaCorrina Durocher & Myra Economides
Looking for a symbol to show love of a lost one , remembrance
fro those past , a child any help ?
Hello Jennifer,
I was searching for information on the gesture of blessing (Christogram) and ended up on this awesome web site. For a long time, I been trying to locate a site that can satisfy my curiosity on different religious symbols so your site is extremely helpful. So much information! I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!!
Love the site looking for some type of unique tattoo design am sure I’ll find something great site.
Interested in purchasing text links ads!
Hi,
I am interested for business reasons on you website. I found your site “http://symboldictionary.net” really enchanting and would like to buy a number of text-links on your website. Let me know if you would like to hear more of this. I can offer you a good price.
Regards,
Hi Shawn. I’d be happy to discuss it, but our ad policy is to delineate ads from content. If you’re down with that, drop us a line at symboldictionaryATgmail.com
Hi, i have been trying to find the whole story and the deeper/full meaning of
the sign “Perfect Red King” sulfur of the philosophers.Speculum Veritatis…(ultimate protection against evil,,Eugenius Philalethes,etc,,sulphur Sol ,Luna mercury ,celestial marriage (conjunctio),.etc.
there is not really explained properly the whole story and the real use and meaning
what the sign stands for,(in my opinion),,i red all all i could find by googeling,,,but there is still not
much of info online,,,does anybody have an link for more background,,,thanks
Sorry about the spelling mistakes, have not slept for couple days due to pain.
I really like this site and am glad to have found it BUT and there always seems to be one with many sites like these. You see I do not recognize any copyright by small or large sites claiming they have exclusive rights to things they never created in the first place. With this site for example claiming copyrights to symbols created well over two thousand years ago. I actually don’t get that upset I find it quite humourous at times.
I am in the works of a website that will actually use many of the symbols I have seen here as some of them I have drawn myself probably before you were born and please don’t get me wrong. I am not making this coment to antagonize you or through it in your face as some might say, it’s just a simple coment.
This is not a “small” site, for one. That said, the copyright obviously does not apply to simple emblems like crosses and pentagrams, but to the original writing and drawings that appear on this site, and the collection as a whole. I suggest if you plan to go into the website business you do some reading on copyright and what applies- i have successfully fought a number of thieves of content and will continue to do so in the future.
If you want money to support this site — why not make and sell web dings based on these designs ??? I already bought your book. Having fonts to go along with it would be great.
fyi : the email I gave is garbage.
i see the sigil of saturn is a combination of either 2 x ‘V’ or ‘A’s…hence we get all this political AV brainwashing…they want to turn the world into a saturn worshiping shit hole[ishtar]
I am looking 4 tattoo ideas symbolizing sisterhood. I was thinking tribal, Celtic, or astrological but am open 2 other ideas. I am 40 and 4 my little sisters 18 bday we want matching tattoos on back of neck
Thank you guys very much for your work in this site. I will certainly be sharing it and I hope that it helps you guys. Best of luck with the battle against plagiarism.
Hello everyone!
I was looking for Archangel Michael’s symbol and I found the one on this page.
http://symboldictionary.net/?p=1487
All I would like to know where does it come from. Is this symbol mantiuoned in any relegion book?
Was curious if you might now of a symbol for Order (as in Order and Chaos) cant find anything, and was hoping maybe you knew something about it?
great site jen, very informative
If agreeable, I would like to send a design which is baffling to me. I would appreciate your thoughts. It appears I can send along an attachment…do you have a suggestion for me.
Many thanks,
Jon Haskell
Carmel, IN
Hi Jon. Send it to symboldictionary@gmail.com and I’ll take a look for you.
you have a great deal of broken links, I hope that you are still supporting the site and can fix them.
We are, but there are jus two of us and over 30k links ported over on two sites…it takes time.
I would like to know the original source and background info about the black and white photo of the nidstang. http://symboldictionary.net/?p=789
I have tried to email you direct at jennifer@symboldictionary.net but this address bounces.
Bioarchaeologist, University of Bradford.
Hi Bart. I have been a student of symbols/religion for twenty-some years now.
Disregard my remark about the e-mailadress. It seems like I overlooked Peter’s comment.
Dear Jennifer,
I’ve read your page and I’ve been intrigued by the thoroughness of the explanations, especially the occult and alchemical symbols. My question is: what are your sources? Have you studied these subjects, or are you quoting specific books? Either way, I’d love to hear some recommendations – if you want to. I’m very interested in these symbols/subjects, but I have no idea were to start.
I’ve tried mailing you by the way, but I keep receiving errors.
Kind regards,
Bart.
Dear Jennifer,
I am a 6th grade teacher in Utah. Below is a request from some of my students to use some photos from your website.
Thank you,
Reed Willmore
Cedar Ridge Elementary
Cedar Hills, UT 84062
September 3, 2010
Dear Jennifer,
We are 6th grade students at Cedar Ridge Elementary in Cedar Hills, UT. We are working on a report on the Shinto religion, and we were wondering if we could have your permission to use some of the symbols on your website to use in our presentation. Thank you!
Cedar Ridge Elementary 6th graders
Absolutely- you have my permission to use anything you like in your presentation.
hello dear Jennifer Emick.my name is mahdi zolfaghari .i am from iran.i read your dictionary and enjoy.i really love to translate your dictionary to my languge.would you please tell me how can i get your permission to translate your dictionary?i add you on facebook too.happy to meet u.
Hi Peter- not sure what’s going on with that, thanks for letting me know. While i gett hnat worked out, you can try: symboldictionary@gmail.com
Hello Jennifer,
I sent an email to your email address as mentioned above (3 times), but my email was returned. It seems your email address is not functioning anymore. Correct?
Do you have a new email address and could you please send it to me?
Thanks!
Peter
Hi there! I’m so glad to see people are finding their way back. =D
I do plan to bring the newsletter back, otherwise I feel a little like floating through cyberspace..once I get both sites polished up, I’ll add a link on the side and get that going again.
Jennifer, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you placed this glossary on a permanent site. I do miss your newsletters. They had a special feel to them when I read them. Glad to see you are still out there contributing information and making the web a more useful place for those who use it.
Basha
- Author of The Spirit of Yule- A True Story
and old newsletter fan.
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