The Symbol Lexicon
Every sign carries a story. Some are thousands of years old.
A curated collection of the most important symbols in jewelry. For people who want to know not only what a sign means, but why it still moves us today.
Discover personal symbolism →Why symbols still move us today
A symbol is more than a shape. A heart is not simply a geometric figure. An anchor is not just a tool. A tree is not merely a plant.
As soon as we give them meaning, they become carriers of memories, relationships and stories. They help people make the invisible visible: love, grief, hope, gratitude, belonging, or the memory of someone who shaped their life.
Perhaps that is their true power: symbols give feelings a form.
Our definition of meaningful jewelry
Many pieces of jewelry carry a symbol. Few carry a story. And fewer still carry the unmistakable signature of one person.
For us, meaningful jewelry arises where three elements come together: a sign with cultural depth, a personal story, and something inseparably linked to one particular person.
This is exactly where the idea behind RETINA® begins. A heart, a rose or a ring can be worn by many people. A RetinaSignature belongs to one person alone.
The five levels of symbolic jewelry
A symbol works on several levels at once – from cultural history to personal identity.
The cultural level
A symbol has a history. The Tree of Life, the rose, the dove and the phoenix carry meanings that have grown over centuries.
The personal level
A symbol gains its true power only through a person's story. The same anchor can mean hope – or the memory of a father.
The emotional level
Symbols help preserve feelings – like the heart, the feather or the star. They make visible what we do not want to lose.
The relational level
Many symbols speak of connection. Infinity, the love knot and the Tree of Life tell of family, friendship and partnership – of the people who have shaped our lives.
The identity level
The deepest level arises when a symbol no longer stands for something, but for someone – like a ring or one's zodiac sign. This is where the world of symbols meets the RETINA® concept.
Discover symbols by meaning
Many people do not start by looking for a specific motif. They look for a sign for a feeling, a relationship or a moment in life. That is why this lexicon is not arranged alphabetically, but by meaning.
Love & Connection
Signs that make closeness visible: for a person, a relationship or a promise meant to last.
Heart
Love, closeness, compassion and what a relationship means.
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Rose
Love, beauty, gratitude and transience.
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Infinity
Eternity, recurrence and a lasting bond.
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Dove
Peace, hope, fidelity and gentle connection.
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Celtic Knot
Connection, continuity and lines without beginning or end.
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Wedding Ring
Fidelity, promise and the circle without end.
Read more →Change & Nature
Signs from the living world: for growth, new beginnings and the rhythm in which everything changes.
Butterfly
Transformation, soul and a new beginning.
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Lotus
Purity, transformation and beauty rising from the mud.
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Wave
Change, vitality and the rhythm of life.
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Sun
Vitality, growth and confidence.
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Moon
Change, rhythm, serenity and intuition.
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Phoenix
Rebirth, transformation and a new beginning from the ashes.
Read more →Strength & Character
Signs of inner strength: for courage, dignity, wisdom and what makes a person unmistakable.
Lion
Courage, dignity, strength and presence.
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Wolf
Loyalty, instinct, family and inner freedom.
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Elephant
Family, memory, wisdom and protection.
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Bee
Diligence, community and golden vitality.
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Owl
Wisdom, watchfulness and clear sight in the dark.
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Crown
Dignity, self-respect and inner poise.
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From universal symbol to RetinaSignature
Every symbol in this lexicon tells a shared story of humanity. A RetinaSignature tells the story of a single person – as unique as the pattern of their retina.
More about RetinaSignatures →Protection & Guidance
Signs that give support: for safety, direction and the quiet confidence to find one's own way.
Anchor
Stability, hope, fidelity and steadfastness.
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Star
Orientation, hope and a light in the night.
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North Star
Orientation, new beginnings and direction.
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Hamsa
Protection, blessing and the open hand across cultures.
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Eye
Protection, perception and the window to the soul.
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Key
Access, trust, secrecy and new doors.
Read more →Wholeness & Life's Path
Signs of the greater whole: for origins, balance and the paths that have shaped a person.
Tree of Life
Roots, growth, family and the lines of a life.
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Triquetra
Wholeness, harmony and the joining of three arcs.
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Yin and Yang
Equilibrium, complement and the balance of opposites.
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Mandala
Wholeness, order and one's own center.
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Flower of Life
Order, harmony and the blueprint of life.
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Mountains
Growth, endurance and the way to the summit.
Read more →Family & Roots
Signs of roots and belonging: for the people we come from and those who carry us through life.
Tree of Life
Family, roots, growth and the lines of a life.
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Tree
Life, stability and belonging.
Read more →Wolf
Loyalty, instinct and the pack as family.
Read more →Elephant
Memory, wisdom and family bonds.
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Clover
Luck, hope and a sign of providence.
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Zodiac Sign
Birth, origins and one's own place in the cosmos.
Read more →Remembrance & Comfort
Signs that preserve: for the people we miss and the moments meant to remain.
Feather
Freedom, lightness, protection and remembrance.
Read more →
Angel
Protection, guidance and quiet comfort.
Read more →Star
Hope and a light that remains.
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Cross
Faith, protection and remembrance.
Read more →
Raven
Knowledge, mystery and change.
Read more →
Olive Branch
Peace, reconciliation and new gentleness.
Read more →All symbols at a glance
This collection is growing as a curated library for meaningful jewelry. Each page explains origin, history, symbolism, use in jewelry and the RETINA® perspective.
Frequently asked questions about symbols in jewelry
What is a symbol lexicon?
A symbol lexicon explains the origin, history and meaning of symbols. The RETINA® symbol lexicon focuses on symbols in jewelry – from the heart and infinity to the Hamsa and Yin and Yang – and shows how universal signs can become personal ones.
Which symbol stands for love?
The best-known symbol of love is the heart. The rose, the infinity loop, the dove and the Celtic knot also stand for love, fidelity and connection – each with its own nuance.
Which symbol stands for new beginnings and change?
Above all the butterfly, the phoenix, the lotus, the wave and the moon stand for change and new beginnings. The butterfly emphasizes transformation, the phoenix a fresh start after a turning point, the lotus unfolding out of difficult conditions.
Which symbol stands for protection?
Classic protective symbols are the Hamsa, the eye and the anchor. Worn as amulets across cultures, they still stand for safety, stability and confidence today.
Which symbol stands for family?
The Tree of Life is the strongest family symbol: roots, trunk and branches stand for origins, cohesion and growth. The elephant and the wolf also carry strong family meanings.
How do I choose the right symbol for jewelry?
What matters is the personal story: which feeling, which person or which chapter of life should become visible? The lexicon helps you understand a symbol's cultural meaning – its personal meaning arises in your own life.
Do symbols mean the same thing in every culture?
No. Many symbols carry different meanings depending on culture and era. The Hamsa, for instance, is a protective sign in several religions; the lotus has different emphases in Egypt and Asia. Each lexicon page traces this development with documented sources.
What is more personal than a universal symbol?
Universal symbols are shared by many people. A RetinaSignature, by contrast, arises from the unique retina pattern of a single person – it exists only once and makes a piece of jewelry unmistakably personal.
Can I combine a symbol with a RetinaSignature?
Yes. Many RETINA® pieces combine a universal symbol with a personal RetinaSignature. A familiar sign thus gains a second layer of meaning that exists only once.
Are new symbols added to the lexicon?
Yes, the symbol lexicon keeps growing. Every new entry follows the same standard: origin, history, meaning in jewelry, frequently asked questions and verified sources.
From symbolism to personal jewelry
If you are looking for a symbol of love, remembrance or connection, you are often closer to a piece of jewelry than you think. A meaningful piece rarely begins with the question of metal or form. It begins with the question: what should remain?
For couples looking for a truly personal sign, unique wedding rings or the wedding ring as a symbol can carry this symbolism further. For memories, gifts or quiet signs, necklaces, rings with meaning and one-of-a-kind pieces are equally fitting.
The RetinaSignature joins the universal language of symbols with the uniqueness of one person. The result is jewelry that does not just mean something, but belongs to someone.
Related RETINA® pages
Further reading
Jewelry that makes meaning visible
A symbol can open a story. A RetinaSignature makes it personal. Discover jewelry that gives identity, memory and connection an unmistakable form.
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