Symbol facts for kids
A symbol is a drawing, shape, or object that stands for an idea, another object, or a certain amount of something.
The most common symbols are letters. Letters are symbols that represent words and sounds. A symbol can be a real object, like a cross (which is a symbol of Christianity) or a scepter (a symbol of royalty and power). It can also be a certain color or a pattern. Symbols are often used in stories and poems to give them deeper meaning.
A national emblem is a special symbol that represents a country.
Common Symbols Around the World
There are many symbols that most people recognize globally. There are also many others that are only known in certain places, religions, or areas of science. Some of the most well-known symbols are listed below:
- Alpenhorn -> Switzerland
- Asiatic Lion -> India
- Balance (scale) -> justice
- Bat -> vampire (Western cultures), luck (Chinese culture)
- Bear -> the U.S. state of California
- Beaver -> Canada
- Boomerang -> Australia
- Caduceus -> Medical profession
- Cadillac -> top of the line (in USA only)
- Cedar tree -> Lebanon
- Cheetah -> speed
- Cherry Blossom -> Japan
- Chukar -> Pakistan
- Compass rose -> navigation
- Cowboys and Indians -> the old Western USA
- Crucifix -> Christianity
- Cupid, heart -> love
- Cedrus deodara -> Pakistan
- Donkey -> United States Democratic Party
- Dove -> Peace
- Dragon -> China / Wales
- Eagle -> USA
- Elephant -> United States Republican Party
- Elephant -> Thailand
- Fatima Jinnah -> Pakistan
- Flags -> the associated countries
- Fleur-de-lis -> scouts, the Canadian city of Quebec
- Geneva cross -> ambulance, neutrality, humanitarian aid
- Great Wall of China -> China
- Hammer and sickle -> U.S.S.R., Communism
- Hat and wand -> magic
- Horseshoe -> good luck
- Igloo -> North Pole
- James Dean -> rebellion
- Jasmine -> Pakistan
- Kangaroo -> Australia
- Kiwi -> New Zealand
- Liberty Bell -> USA
- Lightbulb -> idea
- Lightning bolt -> electricity, speed
- Lion -> England
- Llama -> South America
- Lotus -> Hinduism and Buddhism
- Mango -> Pakistan
- Markhor -> Pakistan
- Maple leaf -> Canada
- Mortar and pestle -> Pharmacy
- Mount Fuji -> Japan
- Mount Rushmore -> USA
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah -> Pakistan
- Owl -> wisdom/education (Western cultures), may mean evil in other places
- Panda -> China
- Peace symbol -> hippies
- Penguin -> South Pole, Linux
- Pine tree and crane -> long life (Chinese culture)
- Plum flower -> China
- Pocket protector -> nerds
- Poinsettia -> Christmas
- Polar bear -> North Pole
- Rainbow -> Peace, Disarmament, Sustainability
- Rainbow flag -> LGBTQ people
- Rose -> England
- Rams -> Guangzhou
- Rolls Royce -> luxury, top of the line
- Royal Bengal Tiger -> Bangladesh
- 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, Nazism
- Teen Talwar -> Pakistan
- Thistle -> Scotland
- Tulips -> Netherlands
- Turkey -> Thanksgiving holiday
- Uncle Sam -> USA
- Unicorn -> good luck
- Volvo cars -> bad/elderly drivers (Australia), prestige (European Union), Sweden
- Water Lilly -> Bangladesh
- White Flag -> France
- Windmills -> Netherlands
- Yin yang symbol -> Daoism
Images for kids
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The three categories of cartographic symbol shapes
See also
In Spanish: Símbolo para niños
