Discovering the mystery of berber symbols

The Amazigh people in Morocco are an indigenous civilization of North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa with an existence dating back more than 20,000 years. This people is known by several names, such as Amazighen, Free Men, Berbers. This people is known by a very rich heritage that can be illustrated in their products and arts in the form of various Amazigh symbols.

Culturally, the Amazighs have a rich history that is integrated into their unique handicraft and graphic styles, as well as art products. 

The Amazighs preserve an incredible traditional heritage, both tangible and intangible, which dates back several thousand years through oral generational transmission. This heritage is illustrated at several levels: at the level of language, arts, crafts, or rites and beliefs. In this article, we try to discover together the Amazigh symbol's meaning. In other terms, it's an article about Berber symbols and meanings.

The specificity of the Berber people and the Amazigh symbols:

The Berber symbols have great symbolism for the Berbers. These symbols can be seen on a large number of handicrafts such as pottery, jewelry, weavings, tattoos as well as many wall decorations that are often found in village homes.

These amazigh symbols have, at the same time, a decorative or aesthetic dimension, and another historical, cultural, traditional, and ritual dimension by tracing the inspirations born from the acts of life.

So, all the patterns that can be found in the various Amazigh handicrafts show many other meanings!

It should be mentioned that Berber art is compared to cave art which presents representations worthy of the first artifacts of very ancient civilizations and cultures because there is a resemblance between the Amazigh symbols and those found on certain cave paintings of prehistoric times. These ancient times are characterized by a relationship of men with nature, a very close link with their environment, which gives inspiration to artistic and material creations that are based on nature.

Most of the Berber motives and Berber signs always have a family, sexual or natural evocation.  

There is an assimilation of the symbolism to the couple, to the family and to all the acts of the daily life. We can say that there is a link between the Berber symbols and the inspiration of the women who weave these works.

The meaning of the Berbers symbols:

The yaz: The yaz is the most famous Amazigh symbol considering it as the symbol of the Berber language and culture in North Africa, which gives a representation of the free person. The yaz (ⵣ) presents a symbol also philosophical that illustrates the liberation of Man from all his chains.  

The grains: which represents the male seed, symbol of life and fertility. It is also a symbol of life and fertility.

The tree: symbolizing the easy life, happiness and fertility. In the Berber culture, the symbol of the tree represents the axis of the world, around which life revolves. This symbol consists of two parts: the roots symbolizing life, and the leaves symbolizing knowledge.

The olive tree The Amazighs consider the olive tree as a symbol of strength. But this strength is a quiet and benevolent strength. The name of the olive tree in Amazigh is azemmur which is derived from tazmart which means strength. Oil represents the vital substance.  

Wheat: it is a symbol with a double meaning. The first one is death (the seed buried in the ground). The second meaning, contradictory with the first one, is life (the flowering sheaf). 

The Hammer: c’est un symbole de force brutale et primitive, qui représente le pouvoir de domination, les forces naturelles et le pouvoir créateur. 

The Anchor: The Berbers consider the anchor is a symbol of solidity, permanence, fidelity, inner balance, and lucidity (against moving waters and troubles).

The Aries ce symbole amazigh représente la puissance physique, la force génésique, en exprimant, également, la vie dans son jaillissement et sa générosité. 

The Taurus: the bull in the Amazigh symbolism means the blind and irresistible force, it is a male principle whose seed fertilizes the world. It also represents a cosmic element concentrating the creative and spiritual forces.  

The Lizard: whose name in Amazigh is tazermemuyt which is a diminutive of snake azrem, dont il représente en effet une forme atténuée, voire pacifique et bénéfique. L’étymologie amazigh considère que cet habitué de la maison la protège des différentes mauvaises influences.  

The Scorpio: c’est un autre symbole avec deux types de signification. Il désigne à la fois la mort et le mal, et le courage et l’endurance. Les amazighs pensent que ce symbole protège contre le mauvais œil dû à son image ou son corps, enfermé dans une amulette.

The fly:: It represents life in its vivacity and ardor, its capacity to reproduce and multiply infinitely. 

The cockchafer symbol of movement, because of the shape of the swatiska suggesting the rotation and the flight. 

The Arrow: est considérée, selon le peuple amazigh, comme un symbole de projection cosmique et de l’élan vital. La flèche est associée à la foudre et à l’éclair, elle représente le principe mâle fécondant. 

The sun: It is the type of ambivalent symbol that is both a symbol of life, power and exuberance (a source of life, warmth and light), and a symbol of evil (because it dries up the waters and destroys the crops).   

The moon: masculine symbol referring to the woman and femininity. It also means change, fertility, eternal return. 

Weaving reed: it represents the movement of the world, cohesion, balance and order. 

The Boat: which symbolizes for the Berbers the vigor, the force, the blessing and the wisdom. 

Where can we find these these amazigh symbols?

Berber symbols in morocco can be found in several Berber works, such as :

Berber carpets handmade. In addition to the fact that it is one of the characteristics of the Berber carpet it is the symbols appearing in these carpets that give them a mystery character hardly found in other carpets.

We offer you a selection of handmade Berber rugs such as :