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1) Shou
The Shou is an ancient Chinese ideogram that means «long life» and is still widely used as an ornament in furniture, fabrics and oriental jewelry. Similar to a peach pit, it refers to the god Shou Hsing, who in Chinese mythology controls events in the lives of human beings. The peach itself, in this culture, symbolizes a gift from the god Shou Hsing, who could grant immortality.
2) One way
Labyrinth-shaped symbols are found in very ancient artifacts, in Egyptian amulets and Minoan pieces (a culture present on the island of Crete, Greece). Its origin comes from Greek mythology itself, as a connection to the image of the Minotaur. The “labyrinth” means something like “house of the double ax”, which is the emblem of the Minoan civilization. The strongest symbology of this image would be the soul’s journey to the central point and then back to the outside. In other words, it is the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
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3) Hand of Fatima
Also known as the Khamsa, this symbol is named the Hand of Fatima after Fatima Zahra, Muhammad’s favorite daughter. Very popular and old, the design can be found in the Middle East, in homes, shops, taxis and hotels. The meaning is very clear: the raised hand is considered threatening, and the eye in the palm protects against the evil eye. It’s an important amulet for Muslims and Jews – that’s why it’s used by activists in favor of peace between these peoples, reminding them that the two faiths share certain beliefs.
4) Triple spiral
Any image similar to this one is a triskelion, a variant of the swastika formed by a triple spiral. Triskelions are always drawn with some shape repeated three times, in a swirling pattern. It can be three legs, three fish, three hares, etc. Present in Buddhist and Celtic cultures, they are applied in handicrafts and sculptures that, in general, refer to the importance of the number 3 or the Sun. Nowadays, some triskelions are used in coats of arms of independent regions, such as the Isle of Man in the UK and Sicily in Italy.
5) Valknut
This knot with three intertwined triangles has a Viking origin and can be found in runestones and sculptures from that culture. The Valknut is related to the god Odin and its name can be roughly translated to Knot of Death, or Knot of the Murdered. But, although it seems tragic, the symbol carries an opposite meaning: it invokes the protection of Odin, who will revive the spirits of the warriors who die in his name.
6) magic knot
Also called a witch’s knot, this symbol brings a sense of protection to those who adopt it. Despite its name, the image was widely used as an anti-witchcraft sign during the Middle Ages. But it was also used by witches who claimed to control the weather or in love spells. Of the various types of magic knots that exist, the most popular is formed by a continuous line that creates four circular intersections in the shape of a fish (may or may not have a central circle).
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7) Solomon’s Knot
Like other knot-shaped signs, it is believed to promote protection. Similar to two links of a chain symmetrically intertwined, Solomon’s Knot is a very old symbol, but it does not belong to a single person or group, although Italian Freemasons have adopted the figure as a brand, adding various mystical meanings. The name of this sign brings references to the designs of King Solomon’s Temple, which remain very influential in Freemasonry.
8) Endless knot
Different cultures, such as Celtic, Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism, adopt the Infinity Knot as a symbol of protection – this meaning derives from the way it is drawn, in a continuous line. Also, in Buddhism, the Endless Knot is one of the eight auspicious symbols, a sign that something good will happen. On the other hand, the image can also represent the relationship between matter and spirit, as well as other codependencies such as wisdom and compassion, male and female, and night and day.