A symbol is an object, a sound, or an image that represents another object, sound, idea, entity, belief, or action.

Historical Significance of Symbols

Symbols have been used throughout history for magical and mundane purposes. Symbols are seen everywhere in our world.

Alphabets are symbols that represent sounds and in some cases, ideas and they can be combined to represent other ideas and sounds.

Numerals are symbols that represent quantities and, for some, ideas. Musical notes are symbols for sounds.

The shapes and colors of street signs and lights become connected with the ideas they represent so that we know that a red octagon means stop, even if the word (also a symbol) is not written on it because the shape and color itself have become a symbol for the idea.

Visit our symbols category for some examples.

What is a symbol in witchcraft?

A symbol is something that stands for an idea. It can be a picture, a shape, a color, an object or even a sound. We use symbols every day without thinking about it. A heart can mean love. A red traffic light tells us to stop.

A little house icon on your phone takes you back home. In witchcraft, symbols can help you give an intention a shape you can see and remember. A key might remind you of an opportunity you want to open.

A candle might mark a moment you have set aside for yourself. The symbol doesn’t have to be mysterious or difficult to draw. It just needs to mean something to you.

How can I use a symbol in my craft?

Start with one intention. Maybe you want to feel protected in your home or find the courage to begin a project.

Then choose a symbol that makes you think of it. If I were working on protection, I might draw a small shield on a piece of paper and put it near my front door.

Each time I saw it, I would remember the intention I set. For a new project, I might choose a seed or draw a tiny sprout.

It would remind me that I can start small and give the idea time to grow. That’s one of the things I like most about symbols. You can bring your intention into everyday life without doing a full ritual each time.

Does a symbol need a traditional meaning?

No! You can work with a symbol that has a well-known meaning or choose something personal. Maybe a certain flower reminds you of someone who always made you feel safe. That flower could become a symbol of protection for you, even if a book gives it a different meaning.

I would learn the background of a traditional symbol before using it, especially if it belongs to a culture or spiritual practice I’m unfamiliar with.

But you don’t have to find an ancient symbol for every intention. You can draw your own, choose an object you already have or use an image that means something to you.

What are some easy symbols to start with?

A heart is an easy choice for love, but you can be more specific. You might use two hands for friendship, a warm cup for self-care or a photo of a place where you feel loved.

A key could stand for an opportunity. A doorway might help you think about a new beginning. A shield could represent a boundary you want to keep.

For growth, you might choose a seed, a leaf or a little plant. Try asking yourself what picture comes to mind when you think about your intention. Your first answer might be more useful to you than searching through a long list of correspondences!

Can colors be symbols too?

Yes! A color can help you connect with a feeling or intention. You might choose green for growth, red for courage or blue for calm.

You can bring that color into a candle, a piece of paper, your clothes or something small you keep in your pocket.

ut please don’t feel that every color has only one meaning. Red might make one person feel brave and remind another person of love.

If the color you associate with peace is yellow, use yellow! Your personal connection matters when you are making something for your own practice!!

How do I make my own symbol?

Keep it simple. Write down your intention in a few words and think about what it would look like as a picture. If your intention is “I want to protect my rest,” you might draw a moon inside a circle, a closed door or a little bed.

Pick the image that feels right and draw it on paper. You don’t need to be good at art.

My favorite part of making a personal symbol is deciding what it means, not making a perfect drawing. Once you have it, you can put it in your journal, keep it beside your bed or place it on your altar. If you like making sigils, you can turn a written intention into a more abstract design.

But a simple drawing works just as well if that is what you enjoy.

Do I need to charge a symbol?

Only if that is part of how you like to work! Do you want to do this? Then do it! You could hold the symbol in your hands, think about your intention and say it out loud.

Or you could make the symbol during a ritual and let that moment give it meaning for you. You can also skip this step. If you draw a small star in your journal to remind yourself to keep going, it can still be helpful every time you see it. You don’t need a complicated process before you are allowed to use it.

Where should I put my symbol?

Put it somewhere that fits its purpose. A symbol for focus could go inside your notebook. One for peaceful sleep could sit on your bedside table. If it is a private intention, tuck the paper into a drawer or keep it in your bag.

Think about whether you want to see it often. Some symbols work best as daily reminders. Others might feel more personal, like something you return to when you need it.

What if I stop connecting with a symbol?

That’s okay! Perhaps the intention changed or the image doesn’t feel right anymore. You can choose a new one. You don’t have to keep using a symbol just because you once put it on your altar.

I would take a moment to thank it for what it helped me focus on, then remove it from my space. If it is drawn on paper, you can keep it in your journal, recycle it or dispose of it in a way that feels comfortable to you.

Can I use more than one symbol in a spell?

Of course, but I would start with one or two. If you add a candle, a crystal, five drawings and a different color for every part of your intention, it can become hard to remember what you wanted to do in the first place.

Choose the symbols that speak to you most. For a spell about starting a new job, a key and a green candle might be enough. The key can stand for the opportunity, while the candle gives you a moment to focus on taking your next step.

Conclusion

Symbols can make your intentions easier to see, remember and bring into your day. You can use a traditional symbol, choose a personal object or draw something yourself.

Start with one intention and one image that means something to you. If you want inspiration, you can explore our symbols category and see what sparks interest and curiosity or you feel a drive to it!