List of common symbols
There are thousands of symbols that are recognized by most people all over the world, and many more that are limited to certain regions, religions, sciences, etc.. Some of the best known ones are seen below.
- Alpenhorn → Switzerland
- Ankh → Egyptian language
- Armillary sphere → Portugal
- Aum/Om → Hinduism
- Balance (scale) → justice
- Bat → vampire (western), fortune (Chinese)
- Beaver → Canada
- Boomerang → Australia
- Caduceus → Medical profession
- Cadillac → top of the line (in USA only)
- Cedar tree → Lebanon
- Check (mark)
- Cheetah → speed
- Cherry Blossom (Sakura) → Japan
- Compass rose → navigation
- Cowboys and Indians → the old Western USA
- Crucifix → Christianity
- Cupid, heart (symbol) → love
- Donkey → United States Democratic Party (in USA only)
- Dove → peace
- Dragon (Chinese) → China
- Dragon (European) → Wales
- Eagle → USA
- Elephant → United States Republican Party (in USA only)
- ♀ → Females
- Flags → the associated countries
- Fleur-de-lis → Scouts, Quebec, Canada, French Royalty
- Geneva cross → ambulance, neutrality, humanitarian
- Great Wall of China → China
- Grid iron → American football
- Hammer and sickle → U.S.S.R, Communism
- Hat and wand → magic
- Horseshoe → luck
- Ice Hockey → Canada
- Igloo → North Pole
- ∞ → Infinity
- James Dean → rebellion
- Kangaroo → Australia
- Kiwi → New Zealand
- Liberty Bell → USA
- Lightbulb → idea
- Lighthouse → beacon of truth, male fertility, influence
- Lightning bolt → electricity, speed
- Lion → England
- Llama → South America
- Loonie → Canada
- Lotus → Hinduism and Buddhism
- ♂ → Males
- Maple leaf → Canada
- Matryoshka doll → Russia
- Mount Fuji → Japan
- Mounties → Canada
- Mount Rushmore → USA
- Owl → wisdom/education (western worlds), may mean evil in other places.
- Panda → China
- Peace symbol → hippies
- Penguin → South Pole, Linux
- Pentacle or Pentagram → wicca, Pythagorians, used by multiple religious groups
- Pestle and mortar → Pharmacy
- Pink triangle → gay men
- Pine tree and crane → longetivity (Chinese)
- Plum flower → China
- Pocket protector → nerds
- Poinsettia → Christmas
- Polar bear → North Pole, Canada
- Rainbow → homosexual people
- Rams → Guangzhou
- Red Crescent → First Aid
- Red Cross → First Aid
- Rolls-Royce → luxury, top of the line
- St. Bernard (dog) → rescue
- Shamrock → Ireland, Trinity
- Shogun → Japan
- Skull and crossbones → poison, danger
- Star and crescent → Islam
- Star of David → Judaism
- Statue of Liberty → USA
- Swastika → Hinduism, Buddhism, Nazi
- Tulips → Netherlands
- Turkey → Thanksgiving holiday (USA)
- Uncle Sam → USA
- Unicorn → luck
- Volvo cars → bad/elderly drivers (Australia), prestige (European Union), Sweden
- Windmills → Netherlands
- Yin yang symbol → Taoism