ⵉⵣⵎⴰⵣSymbol Dictionary

Amazigh visual language — geometric patterns, tattoos, weaving motifs, and signs that communicate where words stop. Each symbol anchored in region, medium, and context.

12 symbols documented·6 categories·13 media types

How to Read These Entries

AAttested Usage

What is documented — academic sources, fieldwork, museum collections. Regionally grounded.

BOral Interpretation

What people say it means — often multiple, sometimes contradictory. Living knowledge.

CContemporary Reading

How modern artists, communities, and movements reinterpret today. Evolution in progress.

Browse by Medium

ArchitectureCarpetDoorHennaJewelryleatherMetalworkPotteryTattooTextileWallWeavingWood Carving

Abstract

ⵣ

aza

Yaz / Free Person

abstractActive

The Tifinagh letter representing the sound /z/, symbolizing 'free person' (amazigh)

TattooJewelryTextile+2

Anthropomorphic

ⵜⵉⵜ

tit

Eye

anthropomorphicActive

Protection against the evil eye (ayn, tiṭṭ n lḥsed)

TattooJewelryDoor+2
ⴰⴼⵓⵙ

afus

Hand / Palm

anthropomorphicActive

The five fingers ward off evil - the number five has protective power (khamsa)

JewelryDoorTattoo+3

Composite

ⵜⴰⵡⵏⵣⴰ

tawenza

Forehead Mark / Frontal Tattoo

compositeArchaic

Tribal/clan identification mark - identifies woman's origin

Tattoo
ⵜⵉⵛⴱⵉⵔⵉⵏ

tichbirin

Chin Marks

compositeArchaic

Feminine beauty mark - enhances the face, shows maturity

Tattoo

Cosmic

ⵉⵜⵔⴰⵏ

itran

Stars

cosmicActive

Celestial navigation - the stars that guide travelers through the desert

TattooJewelryCarpet+2
ⵜⴰⴽⵓⵔⵜ

takurt

Circle / Sun

cosmicActive

The sun - source of life, marking the passage of time

CarpetPotteryTattoo+2

Geometric

ⵜⴰⵡⵙⵉⵜ

tawsit

Diamond / Lozenge

geometricActive

Representation of cultivated field, agricultural fertility

CarpetWeavingTattoo+2
ⵜⴰⴼⵣⴰ

tafza

Fibula / Brooch

geometricDeclining

Symbol of married woman's status - worn in pairs to fasten garments

JewelryMetalworkTextile
ⵜⴰⴷⴷⴰⵔⵜ

taddart

House / Home

geometricActive

Representation of home, family shelter, domestic space

CarpetWeavingTattoo+1
ⵜⴰⵣⵔⵣⴰ

tazrza

Cross / Plus Sign

geometricActive

The four cardinal directions - orientation and balance

CarpetTattooJewelry+1

Zoomorphic

ⴰⵙⴰⵔⵓ

asaru

Serpent / Snake

zoomorphicActive

Water flowing - rivers, irrigation channels, life-giving water

CarpetTattooPottery+1