Angels & Angel Wings:
Angels are known as spiritual beings, or as spiritual messengers in many religions. In medieval angelology, angels constituted the lowest of the nine celestial orders (seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations or dominions, virtues, powers, principalities or princedoms, archangels, and angels). Angels and angel wings represent purity, morality, religion, protection, strength and beauty. Some people use angel wings to represent their wish to do good things and be good within their soul. The wings may symbolize achieving a great personal dream or symbolize the presence of a guardian angel. Many people insist that some angels are assigned to protect and guide a particular person and that everyone has their own "guardian angel". In their guardian roles, angels are far from the dainty, fairy-dust image of popular culture, as they are actually thought to be the fiercest of warriors and rescuers.
Bees:
In general, bees have aptly become symbols of fertility and sexuality. They remind us to be productive, to work with a purpose and to pursue our dreams. At the same time we also need to seek balance and take the time to partake of the sweet nectar of life. Ultimately the symbol of the bee has come to connote the concept of being able to accomplish what we put our minds to.
Belt Buckles:
Belt buckles were invented in the 1600s for purely utilitarian purpose - to keep up the pants of British sailors. Eyelets, rope and string were fashioned for them originally, but proved useless once the pants got wet. The sailors attached leather belts to buckles and the look started a fashion trend which eventually became a wardrobe staple. During Victorian age, buckle rings were given as a token of love and affection. The romantic notion behind this symbol is that the couple fit together "like a buckle and belt."
Butterfly:
A butterfly starts life as a caterpillar and goes through a major change as it becomes a butterfly. It makes a chrysalis or cocoon and then emerges as a beautiful butterfly. This leads many ancient cultures to regard the butterfly as a symbol of the impermanence and instability of earthly life. As a personal totem, butterflies represent concepts of transformation, freedom and creativity. Ultimately, butterflies eloquently illustrate that growth and transformation can be gradual, peaceful and filled with joy.
Calla Lilies
The calla lily is pleasing to view, touch and smell. This exquisite and enchanting flower has come to symbolize rebirth, innocence, truth and longing. With its long stem, soft feel and intoxicating scent, it is an elegant flower all around. A popular wedding motif, it signifies adoration, devotion and purity.
Cat:
Throughout history, cats have been the subjects of myths and lore. They are also associated with qualities of independence, curiosity and of course the legend of nine lives. It is believed that the energy field of a cat rotates counter clockwise. Since this is the opposite of the humans' energy field, it is believed to neutralize and defuse negative energy. Because of this, the presence of cats is thought to hold healing properties to us.
Celtic Cross:
The Celtic cross is a symbol consisting of a traditional cross combined with a circular design. In Ireland, it is legend that it was introduced by Saint Patrick or Saint Declan, but there are no specific examples of this occurring. Known symbols of the Celtic identity, these crosses adorn monuments and cemeteries in the Celtic regions of Ireland and Great Britain. Today, the symbol has been made increasingly popular by its prevalent use in jewelry.
Circle Lore:
An ancient design with modern applications - your circle jewelry is destined to go the distance. Virtually every culture has a similar yet distinct meaning for the circle. This design has been repeated in jewelry, art and architecture since the beginning of time. Amongst many things, the circle embodies concepts such as eternity and movement of time. The zodiac, a celestial sphere, represents the perpetual movement of the planets around the sun. The circle also represents ideological concepts of perfection, potential and totality. Many Native Americans enter a sacred circle at the beginning of a pow-wow as part of a commencement ceremony. Like many other cultures ancient and modern alike, they believe the circle represents a life cycle - a continuum of life and death. We find a profound connection to humanity as a whole in the shape of a circle.
Claddagh:
The claddagh is a beautiful traditional Irish symbol that represents loyalty, love and friendship. The unique design features two hands (representing friendship) holding a heart (love) and adorned with a crown (loyalty). This design is most commonly found on rings, a modern way of displaying the wearer's romantic availability. When worn on the right hand, heart facing away, it means the wearer is not romantically linked, when the heart is pointing inward, it means they are. When worn on the left hand the wearer is typically engaged or married. The tradition of wearing this ring started during the 17th century in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh.
Crane:
Cranes are beautiful creatures. Greek and Roman myth tend to portray the dance of cranes as a love of joy and a celebration of life. The crane was usually considered to be the bird of Apollo, the sun god, who heralded in spring and light. The cranes' beauty and their spectacular mating dances have made them highly symbolic birds in many cultures with records dating back to ancient times.
Daisies:
Often depicted as one of the friendliest flowers, the daisy is easy to grow and it spreads relatively well, blooming from summer to autumn. The daisy represents innocence, purity, patience, loyal love and new beginnings.
Dolphins:
Dolphins have resided in our oceans for over three million years and are amongst the most intelligent creatures in the world. Numerous cultures view dolphins as admirable beings, associating them with infinite powers. In ancient Greece, dolphins were considered messengers for the Gods. These beautiful creatures are undeniably graceful and friendly. Dolphins create an attractive connection to our natural world and spirit.
Dragonfly:
The symbolism of a dragonfly changes with each culture. Its main symbolisms are renewal, positive force and the power of life. As a dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest with the short time it has.
Dragons:
Dragons are compelling mystical creatures in today's era. They are often viewed as massive fire-breathing creatures with wings, claws and a long tail. Despite their menacing appearance, the view of dragons varies from region to region. In Chinese culture, the dragon is believed to represent good luck, power and wisdom. Dragons are viewed as compassionate nurturing creatures, shielding the innocent from evil spirits. To both Chinese and Japanese cultures, the dragon is simply a symbol of good fortune.
Elephants:
The elephant is known as a sacred animal in the East. As the largest animal to walk the earth, the elephant is known as a symbol of strength and power. It also represents perseverance in that it is an extremely hard working animal. Elephants are also seen as symbols of wisdom and dignity because of their incredible intelligence and very long life span. The Chinese see elephants as a symbol of energy, strength and power. In Buddhist cultures, white elephants are symbolic of patience and wisdom.
Fleur-de-lis:
Fleur-de-lis translates from French to "lily flower." The symbol depicts a stylized lily or lotus flower and has many meanings and much history behind it. The fleur-de-lis traces its origins to ancient times when the Scythian and Roman empires used the symbol on coins and weaponry. Legend has it that an angel presented the Merovingian king of the Franks, Clovis, with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity. By the 14th century, the symbol gained popularity with the French monarchy and spread across Europe as the Holy Roman Empire established a new reign of Christianity and territories. They incorporated the symbol into their flags, crests, coats of arms, etc. It is said to signify perfection, light and life. Today, the fleur-de-lis endures in the flag of Quebec and the logo of the New Orleans Saints football team.
Frog:
Frogs are a strong good luck symbol. In Rome, the frog was a mascot believed to bring good luck to the home. Frogs also represent positive transformation and are good omens as they represent happiness and great friendships.
Geckos:
There are approximately 2,000 different species of geckos, all living in warm climates throughout the world. Gecko is taken from the Indonesian word tokek for the chirping sound that these creatures make to communicate with one another. The gecko is known for its ability to change color according to its environment, and teaches you to move through life unseen which helps with your transformational journey.
Hexagon:
A geometric shape that actually occurs in nature, the hexagon is pleasing to the eye. The six-sided shape is found in the formation of beehive honeycombs, which is associated with bees' hardworking and cooperative nature. It is also found on a sea tortoise's shell and, in Japanese mythology, the tortoise is a sign of longevity and good fortune.
Horse:
Horses are considered very spirited, powerful and beautiful animals. The horse signifies readiness to act. Due to its natural companionship with man in both work and art, the horse easily wins a special seat in history, ranking high marks of honor, reverence and symbolism.
Hyacinth:
Hyacinth owes its symbolism to a Greek legend that starts with discus throwing. In the tragic story, a young boy named Hyakinthos is killed as Apollo the sun god is teaching him how to throw a discus. In honor of the boy, Apollo named the flower that grew from Hyakinthos’s blood, hyacinth. It is from this sad story that the hyacinth has come to symbolize sport or play.
Iris:
The iris symbolizes good news and luck. The goddess Iris of Greek mythology had golden wings and was the goddess of the rainbow. Iris traveled on the rainbow's arc, carrying commands and messages from the ancient gods to mankind, and to transport women's souls to the underworld. She acted as the link between heaven and earth. The Greeks planted irises on women's graves in hope that the goddess would guide their souls to their final resting places. The three upright petals and three drooping sepals are symbols for faith, valor and wisdom.
Koi Fish:
The koi is a powerful symbol in Japanese culture depicting perseverance and strength. Koi means carp in Japanese and this fish is one very determined species. It swims up stream regardless of the barriers that lie in its path. Deterred by very little, the koi is even said to swim up waterfalls! Due to this admirable quality, the fish is a revered symbol across multiple cultures. Buddhists view it as a representation of courage and power.
Ladybug:
The ladybug brings a sense of playfulness, delight and childlike spirit. It is said that when a ladybug lands on you that your wish will come true. They are perceived as fearless despite their small size, their spotted wings acting as a shield against predators. Farmers are known to see the ladybug as a good omen as they keep away harmful insects to crops. In Ireland, the ladybug is said to be a symbol of protection. Asian traditions hold the belief that if caught and then released, the ladybug will fly to your true love and whisper your name in his/her ear, and your love will hurry to your side. Ladybug symbolism spans across numerous cultures, most often revered as a good luck charm.
Lilacs:
Traditionally given for an 8th anniversary, some believe the first blooms of lilacs signify the start of spring. In the language of flowers, purple lilacs symbolize first love or spirituality and white lilacs represent youthful innocence. It is a popular plant in gardens and parks because of its attractive sweet smelling flowers.
Lily:
In the Middle Ages, the picture of the lily was used as a part of religious art, thus the lily represents spirituality. The lily flower also had an important role in folktales. Tradition says one always approached an expectant mother with a lily and a rose symbolizing a boy and a girl respectively. If the mother picked the rose, it would be a girl or if she picked the lily, it would be a boy! Each type of lily has its own symbolism: Peruvian lilies represent friendship and devotion, white stargazer lilies express sympathy and pink stargazer lilies represent wealth and prosperity. Lily of the Valley symbolizes humility and devotion and is the second wedding anniversary flower.
Lion:
The lion is considered a born leader, known to symbolize bravery, strength and courage. Lions possess the ability to lead groups and steer people one way or another by gaining their confidence. The zodiac symbol for Leo is the lion. Much like the astrological symbol, this powerful animal is relatively uncomplicated. Steadfast and determined, the lion works hard to achieve what he/she wants in life.
Lovebirds:
Lovebirds are highly social parrots whose namesake derives from their monogamous pairings over long periods. Popular as house pets, most owners buy them in pairs, but they also mate in monogamous pairs in the wild of the Southwestern United States and Eastern Africa. Understandably, lovebirds are symbolic of enduring love.
Magnolias:
The magnolia represents femininity, sweetness, beauty and love of nature. It exhibits impressive, bold, beautiful flowers. The magnolia tree can grow to heights of 80 feet! The trees grow amply in areas like Mississippi and Texas and are thus affiliated with the South, but more than 90 species of the tree exist in the United States alone. Representing purity and honor, the flower has become a popular choice for wedding arrangements.
Nautical:
The nautical look is an ongoing trend for resort collections, remaining in style and seeing a slight variation of the trend each year. The color scheme typically uses navy in combination with a pure snow white color. Sometimes the nautical stripes are combined with ivory, red or cream. This sleek and clean look gets its inspiration from service uniforms which tend to look smart, authoritarian and well groomed.
Octopus:
The octopus is a stunning creature, with mesmerizing movement as it goes through the water. With eight long arms, the creature has close ties to the number eight and is similar to the spider in its symbolism. Many years ago, adornments such as octopus medallions were worn by sailors to ward off evil. The octopus' eerie appearance and ability to explode ink toward its predators made it a symbol of power, protection and even good luck.
Paisley Design:
Resembling a large comma or twisted teardrop, the kidney-shaped paisley is one of the most recognized patterns in the world. The lacy pattern is Indian or Persian in origin, but its western name derives from the town of Paisley in central Scotland. The pattern is sometimes called "Persian pickles" by American traditionalists, especially quilt makers, or "Welsh pears" in Wales as far back as 1888. The modern French word for paisley refers to the palm tree which, along with the pine and cypress, is one of the traditional botanical motifs thought to have influenced the shape of the paisley element as we know it today.
Pandas:
A large, cuddly looking creature, the giant panda is known for its distinct black and white markings. It inhabits Southwest China and also occupies land to the east of the Tibetan plateau. Human development continues to encroach on populations, and they dwindle every year and they are considered an endangered species. Pandas are classified as bears and live on the ground as well as climb trees. Interestingly, their digestive systems are carnivorous, yet they eat a vegetarian diet of mainly bamboo. An endearing creature, it possesses a gentle kind of strength. Symbolically, it is said to remind you to stay focused, achieve higher knowledge, explore and be flexible.
Panther:
The panther is a vivid symbol of power and bravery. In some cultures, the panther symbolizes a deep understanding of spiritual aspects. Individuals who have panther totems are seen as artistic and inherently perceptive. These individuals are viewed as lucky to have such a powerful protector. A guardian figure, this magical totem symbolizes new beginnings or can mark a new transition in life. It commonly represents honor, sensuality, feminine power and intelligence.
Peacock:
Originating in the jungles of Southwest Asia, peacocks were exported throughout the world as cherished treasures. With the ornate pageantry of its richly-colored plumage, peacocks are associated with royalty, refinement, glory and immortality. Greco-Roman mythology identifies the peacock with Hera, also known as Juno. Hera was believed to have created the peacock from Argus whose hundred eyes, like those on the tail feathers of the peacock, symbolize the heaven and the "eyes" of the stars. The Chinese equated the peacock with divinity, rank, power and beauty. Legend holds that the Gates of Paradise are guarded by a pair of peacocks and it has long been believed that peacock feathers ward off bad spirits and sorcerers.
Plaid:
Originating from Scotland, "plaid" is a Scottish word for a patterned blanket. These blankets often feature a tartan crisscross pattern and served double-duty in the Scottish highlands. The thick wool blankets were fastened around the waist with a belt to be worn as a knee-length kilt, and then used as a bedroll at night. Scottish clans began registering specific tartan patterns as their own in the 1800s.
Primrose
One of the earliest-blooming spring flowers, the name is derived from a term meaning "first rose." February's birth flower, it covers the ground in open forests and was a common flower in Victorian cottage gardens. The phrase "primrose path" alludes to a pleasant route through life, attributed to a line from Shakespeare's "Hamlet."
Rainbows:
Known as one of the most spectacular light shows on Earth, the rainbow displays seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Made of all the colors of the visible spectrum, or white light, the colors of the rainbow appear when white light is bent through a prism. First seriously studied by Aristotle, and then Descartes in the 17th century, this phenomenon was finally fully understood when the physics of light and its reflection and refraction were discovered. Various cultures throughout the world view the rainbow with different symbolism. In religion and art, the rainbow often symbolizes God's promise of mercy to mankind after the Deluge (Genesis 9:13). The Greeks and Romans viewed the rainbow as the sign of Iris, messenger of the gods, and the Inca and other Native Americans regarded it as a gift from the sun-god. And, of course, there are the fairy tales that tell us there is a pot of gold at the end of each rainbow!
Rose:
Most often used to represent love, each rose color is said to symbolize something different. While red signifies enduring passion, yellow expresses friendship, orange represents desire, and many other colors represent enchantment. The national flower of the United States, roses come in a variety of fragrances and sizes.
Scottish Bluebells:
Widely known as the harebell, Scottish Bluebells often grow in meadows where hares live. A common poetry subject, legend has it that fairies live in the bells of the flowers, and should not be disturbed or they'll release spells hidden in the bells.
Seashells:
In Roman and Greek culture, shells were deemed a sign of good fortune, growth and affluence. This lead to the 17th century when gathering them became a habit of the wealthy. Seashells then worked their way into art and became popular when showcasing gardens and villas in French Rococo motifs. Appealing for both its lovely form and the calming feelings it evokes, the seashell is a soothing symbol of life and fertility.
Skull Designs:
Wearing skull and bone jewelry and depicting skull designs goes back to ancient times. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and the Aztecs used the skull as a symbol of the cycle of death and rebirth. Holidays such as the Day of the Dead is celebrated in most regions of Mexico and parts of Latin America with bone and skull as motifs in everything celebratory. In Europe during Elizabethan times, the skull became a powerful motif for underworld societies. Today, skull jewelry is back with various additions to it - with wings (which symbolizes freedom), with crossbones (signifying eternity, danger or poison), with butterflies (symbolizing the changing nature of life), with snakes (a depiction of immortality) and with crosses (denoting mankind’s beginnings).
Spiral:
Immensely compelling in form and meaning, the spiral is an intriguing design. Nearly every culture and century has embraced this form. From ancient Arabic architecture to Hindu spiritual writings, from Japanese gardens to Australian Aboriginal paintings and Native American rock art, this shape proves it is prominent throughout history. From an evolutionary standpoint, the spiral symbolizes the progression of discovery and growth. As life rarely enfolds in a straight and narrow format, it rather takes on a series of laps. Throughout life, we find ourselves in similar positions from time to time. The beautiful part is that each time we enter this familiar state, we do so with a renewed perspective. Therefore, life's road resembles a spiral. From the veins in a leaf, to a snail on the ground, to a tornado in the sky, the shape rears its hypnotic form within nature. It's even present in the very DNA from which we are created and shows in our fingerprints. Spirals can be appreciated for their complex symbolism or simple design.
Stars:
Since the beginning of time, humans have looked up at the night sky and tried to explain the magnificent view, which is probably how the "star" shape was born. One of the oldest symbols, many believe witnessing a "shooting star" is a wish coming true, and that a star symbol with a trail or a trail of stars behind it is symbolic of success and good luck.
Tiger:
The tiger symbolizes power, courage and strength, therefore receiving the respect and admiration of many. Known for their highly independent nature, these beings are infinitely curious about their surroundings. Daring and determined, the tiger will stop at nothing in order to fulfill its goals, which makes it a great defender. Tigers often reject conventional roles, preferring a dynamic and unrestrained existence. Friendly and good-natured, tigers are widely praised for their open honorable mindset.
Toile:
Toile is the name for a decorative pattern that consists of a neutral colored background usually white or off-white, with a complex pastoral theme repeated over and over again. The pattern consists of a single color usually black, dark red or blue and always consists of many flowers. Toile entered the English language in the 16th century. The word toile is derived from a French word meaning "cloth". Toile is used in a lot of fabrics and has been very popular in the upholstery of furniture and curtains.
Tree of Life:
The Tree of Life symbol represents different qualities or virtues like wisdom, strength, protection, beauty, bounty and redemption. It is also considered to be the symbol of "Creator" because it provides protection, supports abundant fruit production and thereby regeneration. This analogy can also be used to describe human life. As humans, we develop "roots" of our beliefs, "branch out" by means of wisdom and the "trunk" (mind and body) keeps them connected. The Tree of Life symbol resonates with a simple and strong message of unity. It indicates that all forms of life are connected and that we, as humans, should live in harmony with rest of the living beings.
Wisteria:
The wisteria flower is unique in its name because it was originally supposed to be named Glycinia after the word "glykys," which is Greek for sweet. However, an American naturalist renamed the wisteria in the 1800s to honor a renowned botanist with a last name of Wistar. The misspelling was never changed and, therefore, the plant has been permanently known as Wisteria. It has appeared in a variety of Japenese culture including paintings and popular dances.