Symbol facts for kids

A symbol is a drawing, shape, or object that represents an idea, object, or amount of something.

The most common symbols are letters, which are symbols of words and sounds. A symbol can be an actual object (such as the cross, a symbol of Christianity or a scepter, a symbol of royalty and power), or a certain color or pattern. Symbols are used often in poetry and other types of literature, sometimes as metaphors or similes.

A national emblem is a symbol for a certain country.

List of common symbols

See also: List of 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 listed below.

Alpenhorn -> Switzerland
Asiatic Lion -> India
Balance (scale) -> justice
Bat -> vampire (western), luck (Chinese)
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
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 worlds), may mean evil in other place.
Panda -> China
Peace symbol -> hippies
Penguin -> South Pole, Linux
Pine tree and crane -> long life (Chinese)
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

The three categories of cartographic symbol shapes