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Aboriginal Symbols

Aboriginal Art and Symbols

Aboriginal symbols are visual representations used in Aboriginal art to convey cultural stories, beliefs and knowledge. These symbols, which have been passed down through generations, often hold deep spiritual and practical meanings, linked to Dreamtime stories, the environment and traditional practices. Each symbol can represent a specific element, such as animals, natural features or ancestral beings, and they are used as a form of communication in the absence of a written language.

These symbols are highly symbolic and are used differently depending on the context and the audience. For instance, when telling stories to children, the meaning might focus on teaching moral lessons or survival skills, while for initiated elders, the symbols may carry more complex spiritual and cultural significance.

The interpretation of these symbols varies by region, language group or family, with each group having their own set of symbols and iconography linked to their country, Dreaming stories and ancestral connections. The use of symbols in art is one of the oldest and most enduring methods of preserving and passing on cultural knowledge among Aboriginal communities.

Common Symbols

Arcs or semi-circles are commonly used to represent various elements of the landscape, natural features or cultural symbols. They can symbolise caves or shelters, places where people seek protection, rest or perform ceremonies.

Straight lines are commonly used to represent various elements of the landscape, paths and spiritual journeys. They often depict travel routes, watercourses or the paths taken by ancestors during their travels, as well as the routes of animals like kangaroos or snakes.

Concentric circles are one of the most common and significant symbols. These circles are often used to depict waterholes, campsites or sacred sites. The central circle usually represents the focal point, such as a waterhole, meeting place or important location in the landscape, while surrounding concentric rings represent the area around it. This can symbolise movement or paths, like the journey of an ancestor, the flow of water, or the presence of spirits around a central source.

People

In Aboriginal art, symbols representing people often vary by region and cultural significance, but common representations include:

  • U-shape - The "U" shape is often used to symbolise people or human figures, representing the body of a person. The tools carried by the figures help identify whether the symbol represents a male or female. For instance, a woman might be shown with an oval-shaped coolamon bowl and a digging stick, while a man is typically depicted with spears and sometimes boomerangs.
  • Human Figures - Human forms are often depicted using simple, geometric shapes. A common representation is a circle for the head and a line or set of lines for the body and limbs. Sometimes, additional symbols like dots or lines indicate features such as arms, legs or hands.
  • Footprints or Tracks - The footprints of people are symbolised with a series of lines or dots arranged in a way that represents the movement of a person across the land. These can signify both the presence and journey of a person.
  • Body Paint or Ceremonial Designs - Symbols related to body paint used in ceremonies may appear in artwork. These could include lines or circles on the body of a figure, often linked to initiation rituals, Dreamtime stories or other ceremonial practices.

Animals

For Utopian Aboriginal people, animals are often represented by the tracks they leave behind.

  • Kangaroo - A series of u-shaped lines or paw prints often represent a kangaroo's tracks.
  • Snake - Wavy lines or curved lines often symbolise a snake, representing its twisting, sinuous movement across the land.
  • Emu - Emus are often represented through straight lines or tracks or as a three-pointed "V" shape, similar to those used for kangaroos, depicting their long legs and movement.
  • Goanna (Lizard) - Zigzag or wavy lines can be used to represent a goanna or lizard, symbolising its rapid movement and presence in the environment.