The Adinkra Chart

Looking for some common-sense advice on a problem? Ask for insight from the wise

spirit of Adinkra! Just place your spinner on the gold square with the green border in

the center of the chart, and give it a spin.

Chart Created by Euphonia Carstairs 2020 based on the Adinkra symbols of the Akan people in Africa

Yes No

Adinkra Chart This chart has been designed for use those occasions (questions) when you could use the comforting advice

of a wise elder, one who sees your life and your problem with a little more objectivity than you do.

Good questions to ask of this particular oracle are:

What am I not seeing?

What do I most need to keep in mind?

What best advice can you give me in this situation/at this time?

How can I best resolve this issue?

What is the attitude or approach I need to take in order to get through this ordeal?

Instructions:

1.)Cup your chosen spinner, whether it be a toy spinning-top, a gyroscope, a coin, a small ball or anything

else you can put a spin on, in both hands and ask God/Goddess/the Deities/Ancestors/Spirit Guides/Angels/

your Higher Self or whatever Higher Power you appeal to guide the spinner to the correct answer. 2.)Place

your spinner anywhere in the gold square with green trim, since that is the middle of the chart (I like to

place it on the Nyame Y e Ohene symbol) and give it a spin.

Which hand? I think spinning with your less-dominant hand will give you the more objective result,

because that is your ‘receiving’ hand, but if you have trouble getting a good hard spin with that hand, you

can use your dominant hand. Just make sure your mind is clear, and free of expectation when you give it a

spin. Clockwise or counter-clockwise really doesn’t matter, whichever way your hand wants to spin it will

be best.

I recommend creating a ‘bumper’ out of a thick sheet of either card-board or foam board, for placing

around the perimeter of the chart, so your spinner will stay on the chart and not spin right off it.

Interpreting the Spinner’s Behavior

Observe the spinner’s entire progress over the chart. Resist any urge to mentally ‘guide’ it.

If the spinner swiftly crosses a few other Adinkra symbols on its way to pause over a specific Adinkra

symbol, then you may take the symbols it crosses over into account in your answer. But the most important

symbol is the one(s) it spends the most time on.

Consider the meaning of the Adinkra symbol on which your spinner finally comes to a stop, because that

symbol is the ‘period’ to the ‘sentence’ that is your answer. If you are using a top or gyroscope, and it

appears to be pointing to yet-another Adimkra symbol when it completely stops, you might want to take that

Adinkra symbol into consideration as well.

Your spinner may never go to either the ‘Yes’ or the ‘No’ in the upper left and right-hand corners of the

chartbut if it goes straight to one of them after spending any length of time on a particular symbol, see that

symbol as emphasized in its meaning, either positively or negatively. If it crosses a whole string of Adinkra

symbols, then heads to the yes, then it will be telling you to either take all those as your answer and

encouraging you to follow them. If it crosses one or more adinkra symbols, then heads for the no, then it is

telling you those are emphatically not what you should do.

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Commentary on the Symbols The top .01%er took eleven of the cookies from a baker’s dozen, and you and the other person are

fighting over the remaining two. Realize that both of you have the same desired outcome; stop fighting

each other, join forces, & work for a future that benefits everybody.

You may be in the unhappy situation of being publically held up for ridicule by someone who has their

own character flaws or secrets to hide. Of course, this is why they’re doing it—distracting unwelcome

attention from themselves by focusing everybody’s contempt on you. Spin again, this time asking the Adinkra

how to respond to this. If the offender is you, realize you’re fooling nobody in your efforts to make someone

else look ridiculous—you’re just making yourself look insecure and small. And your soul shrinks too.

Why look at him, with his hands in his pockets, eyes close in utter angelic sanctity and innocence. If the

spinner landed on this, realize someone is trying to provoke you into looking bad. It may be someone

who’s quite practiced at this, so be on-guard and control your reactions. Alternatively, this may indicate

a perceived-need to cause someone to expose their hand—careful with this, you’re on morally-shaky ground.

“What I hear, I keep.” Someone may have recently given you good advice, but you either weren’t really

listening, or you waved it off. It would do you some good to think more seriously about what they said.

There is wisdom and knowledge and helpful advice there. Alternatively, this Adinkra symbol may mean

someone is watching what you do, and listening to everything you say. This may or may not be a good thing,

so be aware you are ‘on-stage’ and performing. You may be influencing people in ways you don’t suspect.

This symbol is an encouragement to make learning a life-long habit. The truly-educated person keeps

their mind learning new things, long after their formal schooling is completed. Humanity’s store of

information and knowledge is growing all the time, so there is no end of new things to learn. Do not let

others make you feel ashamed of your ignorance about a subject; be a humble and open student.

If you’re dealing with a braggart, someone talking about all the things they do really well, or the one

thing they’re really great at doing, remember that “inferior beads make the most sound.” The wise

person lets their actions speak for them; they don’t have to brag about how good they are, everybody

can see how good they are. Someone may be covering up their inadequacies—is it you?

You’re probably in a good partnership here. You work well together, like the teeth and the tongue

eating food. One of you may actually be the more dangerous of the pair, being the ‘teeth’ in the

relationship. But you both play a unique role, one the other can’t, and one which the other is utterly-

dependent upon you to carry out. When it’s teeth and tongue, timing is essential. You realize you need to work

well together for mutual benefit. Timely cooperation is far more preferable than starving to death.

This may indicate a happy circumstance where you need help and precisely the sort of help you need is

at hand, but you also can render the other party just the sort of aid they require for a problem with which

they need assistance, i.e., a ‘bartering’ system. If only all of life worked so neatly! If you need help

which requires money, and money is short, see if you can get help from someone whom you can help in

return; in other words, a trade.

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Adinkra Commentary, con’t.

This Adinkra symbol represents self-containment, self-discipline, patience, and non-demonstrative

feeling. Try to embody these qualities in the face of provocation; it is not by accident this Adinkra

symbol is positioned next to NNYEGYEe. There is provocation here, or soon will be. Don’t fall into

their trap! You will come out of this with increased admiration from others if you contain yourself.

This symbol is about humility paired with strength. For too much of Earth’s history, things have

operated on a ‘Might Makes Right’ principle—the strong can physically beat the weaker into

submission, whether they’re in the right or not, whether they have leadership capability or not. The

danger of this is it can lead them to think they’re superior to everyone else in every other way as well,

and accountable to no one. Dwennimmen is reminding you to keep your strengths in perspective, and to

remember—we are all accountable to somebody, to whom we must submit.

Nkyinkyim this Adinkra symbol is called, and it means ‘twisting.’ This represents the principles of

initiative, dynamism and versatility. Only staying nimble, flexible, multi-talented, and light on your

feet, able to change direction on a moment’s notice, is an effective response now. Think passenger-on-

a-motorbike. The passenger needs to move in concert the driver, otherwise a serious accident could

result. Universe is the driver now, you are the passenger—move with it.

Hwe Mu Dua, the name of this Adinkra symbol, translates as ‘measuring stick.’ It’s about

examination, quality control, and striving for the best quality in anything you pursue, either material

or immaterial. You may need to ‘kick the tires’ on something and do an inspection before accepting it.

Is it a quality product, or have you found it wanting? Strive to do your best in whatever your doing, whether

it’s your studies, making a product, or preparing a report—because it will be submitted to a thorough

inspection when you’re done. The humiliation of being publicly-exposed for having produced an inferior

product isn’t worth the slacking-off you enjoyed while producing it.

Osram, the Moon, represents faith, patience, understanding, and determination. It also speaks to the

capacity of a leader to improve with time and experience. If you have been feeling exasperated,

displeased or disappointed with a leader lately, this Adinkra encourages you to show the qualities

associated with it, toward this leader. They have learned, and are learning, and they’re getting better at this

‘leadership’ thing. Trust them to eventually find the proper way, and give it time.

Tabono, which translates as ‘paddle’ or ‘oar’ represents the qualities of strength, confidence,

persistence, power, conviction, and endurance. Whatever situation you are facing now, realize that the

only correct response from you right now is to put in strong, persevering effort; to ‘put your back into

it’ as it were, and to have confidence that your hard work and persevering effort will pay off. It’s elbow-grease

time, not a time for being still.

Nkruma Kesee translates as ‘dried okra.’ It represents the qualities of greatness, superiority,

supremacy, and a well-mannered person of good character. This symbol calls to mind the remark,

“Manners are a lady’s armor” by Septa Mordane to twelve-year-old Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones.

Sometimes, having a good reputation and being known to have an excellent character is your strongest weapon

and your surest defense. If there is someone like this in your life, appreciate them and emulate them.

ODenkyem, the crocodile, represents adaptability and the ability to function effectively in more

than one environment. If the spinner has chosen this symbol as its answer, know that you are being

encouraged, and even called-upon, to develop and display these qualities. It is the species most

responsive to change which survive, said Charles Darwin. Keep that in mind right now.

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Adinkra Commentary, con’t.

Dono, the talking drum, was one of the instruments which traditionally accompanied ‘praise-singers’

members of the tribe whose job it was to serve as a sort of poet laureate, praising the virtues of the chief

or other honored members of the tribe. It stands for praise, appellation, goodwill, and rhythm. If someone

has been a little surly lately, perhaps it is because they feel over-looked and taken for granted. Some well-

chosen and well-placed compliments, or a good-will gesture, may sweeten their mood and brighten the

atmosphere. Alternatively, this may be telling you you’re dealing with a real egomaniac, and you’ll have to

butter them up with praise before you’ll get anything out of them. Find a rhythm and stick with it.

Fawohodie, independence, symbolizes freedom and emancipation, but also the responsibilities that

implies. If you have recently gained your independence from someone, something, some place or some

situation, realize the responsibilities that come with it. If a young person in your environment has been

agitating for more independence, make them understand the responsibility they will be entrusted with when

they gain their emancipation. Look at the symbol; it resembles a chair. Freedom is the seat. Responsibility are

the legs. Without the legs, the seat is on the ground.

Nsaa, a type of hand-woven fabric found on the continent of Africa, represents excellence,

genuineness, and quality workmanship. Nsaa is its own unique self; it is not a fabric like any other, nor

does it try to emulate any other fabric. It is its own unique self, and it is excellent at being that. Be you,

be genuine, and strive to be the best you, you can—then you will shine.

Woforo Dua Pa A—’When you climb a good tree’—means that when you work for a good cause,

others will notice and want to assist you in your efforts. It represents the qualities of support,

cooperation and encouragement. So if you’re not getting the support you need or desire for your

endeavor, you need to ask yourself, “Am I climbing a good tree here? Or do I need to look for another one?”

Onyankopon Adom Nti Biribiera Beye Yie translates as ‘By God’s Grace, all will be well.’ It

represents hope, faith, and a trust in Divine Providence. If the spinner has chosen this symbol, then it

says you’re in a situation where you need to trust that ultimately, things will work out all right. Indeed,

you may have no choice. This can be tough, if you’re an atheist. In that case, you’ll have to trust the

earthly authorities ultimately know what they’re doing.

Nyame Nnwu Na Mawu translates as ‘God never dies, therefore I cannot die.’ It speaks to the belief

that God is omnipresent, that the human soul exists and is indestructible, and it survives bodily death.

Be assured that if your gamble, whatever it is, results in physical death, that which makes you, you

will survive and live forever. It was a similar belief in the indestructibility of the human soul which made the

ancient Celts such fierce fighters in battle, because they had a fundamental conviction they could not

ultimately lose. You may be facing a fearsome situation if the spinner has chosen this; be reassured, your soul

is immortal.

Nyame Ye Ohene— ‘God is King.’ To the religious Akan people this was an assertion of fact. This

symbol, for them, represented the majesty and supremacy of God, with the God symbol surrounded by

a corona-like circle. On this, all life depends and every thing proceeds from this reality. ‘Man

proposes, God disposes’ says the old adage. Keep this adage in mind when the spinner chooses this symbol.

Ohene Aniwa—the Eyes of the King, represents vigilance, security, surveillance, protection and an

awareness of one’s surroundings. Stay alert, and check your security measures, from your home to

your bank records and other on-line accounts. Be aware that you may be under surveillance yourself, if

the spinner chooses this symbol.

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Adinkra Commentary, con’t.

Asase Ye Duru, ‘the Earth has weight’ refers to the providence and divinity of Mother Earth, and of the

importance of Earth in sustaining life. When the spinner chooses this symbol, the time has come to

make Earth a priority, and to ask yourself what will best-benefit the planet. It may be time to cut down

on waste, start a vegetable garden, start or take part in a recycling program, or become involved in

some other ecologically-minded pursuit. You may even want to make a career of an earth-centered pursuit.

Akoma, the heart, represents patience, tolerance and compassion. If the spinner has chosen this

symbol, the message may be to ‘have a heart’, and to show patience, tolerance and compassion for

someone who may be struggling. When someone is sinking, don’t hand them an anvil, throw them a

life-preserver! The patience, tolerance and compassion you bring to the situation could be just the life-

preserver the other person needs, and could pay dividends later.

The message of the happy little bug, Odo Nnyew Fie Kwan, is that ‘love never loses its way home.’

This represents the power of love, and, like a homing-pigeon, love’s flawless sense of direction. If you

feel sad, discouraged or worried that you have lost the love of someone you value highly when the

spinner chooses this symbol, be reassured that a love that truly belongs to you can never truly be lost. It

will find its way back to you, in some way, shape or form if, it is meant to be. If the lost-beloved doesn’t, love

will still come to you, from another direction, because love never loses its way home, and its home is you.

Owuo Atwedee is just a reminder that we’re all on our way out of here. Some of us are on the 7:30

train, and some are on the 8:15, but we’re all climbing the Ladder of Death, and what happens to you

when you reach the top depends on how well you handled each rung. Life is transitory; recognize that

fact, and strive to put your best into it. Enjoy life while it lasts, because it doesn’t last long. This

Adinkra symbol, if chosen by the spinner, is telling you to take the long-view—the very-long-view.

Akoko Nan, the leg of the hen, represents a nurturing, but disciplined energy. It is both protective and

corrective. It nurtures, but does not pamper. You may have to demonstrate this principle in your

interactions with another, or you may be on the receiving end of such treatment. If the latter is the case,

remember that someone who cares about you wants you to be the best person you can be. They aren’t

going to pamper your ego by letting you think your less-than-your-best effort is sufficient. Try to see the love

behind the correction and the discipline.

Dame-Dame, the board game, represents intelligence, ingenuity, and the ability to think strategically.

What is your aim, your goal, your desired end-product? What does the other person appear to want?

Determine what these ends are first, then the actions you must take will appear clearer to you. It may

be more helpful to you to approach a problem or unwanted task as a game. “In every job that must be

done, there is an element of fun” sang Julie Andrews as the title character in Mary Poppins. If your problem or

issue was a board game, which one would it be? And how would you set about winning that game?

Wo Nsa Da Mu A translates as ‘If your hands are in the dish.’ It represents participatory government,

i.e., democracy or some reasonable facsimile thereof. Carrying forward the meaning behind the name

of this Adinkra symbol, think ‘bowl of potato salad or coleslaw at the family reunion picnic.’

If everybody is benefiting from the same spread of food, then there’s an obligation to contribute something to

the spread as well. Participatory government is the same basic idea; if you benefit, you should contribute.

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Adinkra Commentary, con’t.

Depicting a chain link, Nkonsonkonson is concerned with human relations and the importance of

contributing to the community. In unity lies strength is another message of this Adinkra symbol.

There is strength (and safety) in numbers. A group of people seeking change are more likely to be

taken seriously than just one person filing a complaint and acting alone. Some changes are too great

for just one person to pull off; it takes a group. If you think you have a good idea, then this symbol is

indicating you need to line up more support for it if you want to give it a good chance of succeeding.

Me Ware Wo translates as ‘I Shall Marry You’ but this doesn’t have to refer exclusively to an actual

marriage proposal, though depending upon your circumstances, it may indeed be hinting at such a

future. The ‘marriage’ in question could be a proposal for a business partnership. The important thing

is this symbol is telling you is: now is the time to make a serious commitment to something, and to

show the perseverance and dedication such a commitment demands. Consider yourself married to it. If you’re

in school, marry it. If you’re in the military, marry it. If you’re in the clergy, marry it. If you are part of a team

project at work, marry that project. If you enter into a business partnership, be committed to it. No half-hearted

measures here.

“A little fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers” says an Akan proverb. The message of the

Adinkra symbol Adu-Wham is that generosity benefits the giver, as well as the receiver. Adu-Wham is

associated with perfume. You cannot spread good around, without getting a little of it on yourself.

Generosity not only feels good, it makes you look good, and can stand you in good stead in times of

trouble.

Aban represents a great fortress or a two-story house and has some association with colonial times in

Africa. It represents power, authority, the legitimacy of government and respect for the law. If the

spinner has chosen this symbol, then the necessity of dealing with a legal authority and/or abiding by

the laws or the rules is at issue here. This can be local, state/provincial, or national government, or it

could be your local home-owner’s association. Sometimes we can’t just wing-it and go with our impulses and

instincts, we have to follow the law or abide by the rules. Exasperating, but true. Now is one of those times.

Other Adinkra symbols on the chart may give you more details on how to deal with this.

Owo Foro Adobe is ‘snake climbing the raffia tree’ in the Akan language. The raffia tree has a

notoriously-rough bark. The only way a snake could climb it is with great care. Hence, this Adinkra

symbol represents prudence, diligence, steadfastness, and exercising the utmost care in one’s actions

under challenging conditions. What you are trying to accomplish isn’t impossible, but you will need to show

the utmost care, steadiness, and dedication in order to accomplish your end. ‘Slow and steady wins the race’

says the moral of the Tortoise and the Hare from Aesop’s Fables. That certainly applies now. Final note: your

raffia tree could actually be a person.

Ananse Ntontan means ‘spider web’ in Akan. It refers to wisdom, creativity, and the complexities of

life. Some cultures view the Universe like a spider web; there can be no movement on the web which

goes undetected by the spider. A movement on one part of the web of life can affect a distant part of

the web you can’t even see right now. On a practical level, this symbol may be suggesting you take

up weaving as a hobby; it may illustrate this principle for you more clearly. But seriously, when the spinner

chooses this symbol, know that what you are doing right now has far-reaching repercussions, so consider

carefully and act wisely. And even then, you may set some distant event in motion you did not intend.

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Adinkra Commentary, con’t.

There are two symbols in Akan usage which represents Sankofa, which means ‘Return and get it.’

Sankofa embodies the message: learn from the past. Your own past, your family’s past, your tribe’s

past, your country’s past, humanity’s past, whichever past is most applicable. Don’t re-invent the

wheel here. You don’t have to come up with an original solution all the time. If the spinner has

chosen this symbol in response to your question, then chances are someone has already devised a solution to

your problem. Your challenge is to find out who they are and how they did it.

Mframadan means ‘wind-resistant house.’ It represents fortitude, and the readiness to face life’s

vicissitudes. Certainly, the best time to prepare for adversity is when life is going well. Or, as House

Stark in A Song of Ice and Fire put it more succinctly, ‘Winter is Coming.’ Do a general site-check of

the house that is your life, and make sure you have what it takes to ride out adversity. How sturdy is

your life? Will it stand up in strong winds? Do you have enough resources to hunker down and ride out the

storm? Is there a redoubt you can retreat to, when your primary dwelling fails to keep you protected? On the

other hand, this symbol could be the glad reassurance that you are strong-enough to face whatever comes.

Sesa Wo Suban translates as, ’Transform your character.’ This can be taken one of two ways. It may

be predicting that a major life transformation is in store for you, one which will have a transformative

impact on your character. The second possible meaning is, ‘clean up your act, do an attitude-

adjustment, improve your habits, and change the way you interact with the world, because the way

you’ve been doing it hasn’t been working.’ If the spinner lands on this Adinkra symbol, realize that the biggest

problem in your life may well be you.

This lengthily-named Adinkra symbol, ‘Efie Ne ABC Ne ABC NTEN ADEe A eWCFIE’ translates

as ‘whatever exists outside, exists also within the house.’ It embodies the concept of morality, and

perhaps more importantly, the principle of being morally and ethically-consistent as well. One should

not be a ‘good’ person out in public, then feel free to be a ‘bad’ person at home, or vice versa. People

in both the public and private spheres of our lives should be treated with the same high-standards of ethics,

morality, and humane interaction. This symbol may be calling for sympathy on your part—if someone is

rotten to you in public, think about what their domestic situation must be like!

Mpatapo can be translated as either the ‘knot of pacification’ or the ‘knot of reconciliation.’ It’s all

about pacification, reconciliation and peace-making after strife. If you have been in conflict with

another person, this Adinkra symbol is clearly indicating it’s up to you to make the first move. Don’t

wait for them to do it, even if you are the person who was originally-wronged, or in fact, are in the

right. They may be feeling too-justified or too-proud to make amends. Alternatively, now may the be time for

you to make a pacifying gesture to someone who is very annoyed with you, even if you don’t feel you did

anything wrong. Such a gesture may soften their feelings toward you, and re-establish meaningful connection.

Nkyimu is the term for the crossed divisions made on an Adinkra cloth before stamping the various

Adinkra symbols upon it. It refers to skillfulness, precision, and taking the utmost care in laying the

groundwork for further effort. You may need to lay the groundwork for something, and keep in mind,

the excellence of the rest of the project depends on how well you lay the foundation. Alternatively, as

the Nkyimu pattern serves as the dividing lines for the other Adinkra symbols, the message here may be that

you need to set boundaries with certain people. Otherwise, their influence will ‘bleed’ into areas where you

don’t want them to go, and ruin the overall design.

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Adinkra Commentary, con’t.

Pempamsie in the Adinkra symbol system means ‘Sew in readiness.’ It represents strength-through-

unity, and the importance of being prepared. Think sewing circle working on a project of community-

wide importance. If the spinner has chosen this symbol, then it’s telling you something is coming,

and you may or may not know what it is, but it is important and necessary that you make preparations

to deal with it. If there is any sewing, mending, re-weaving, repairing, restoring, re-painting, replenishing, or

fixing-up you need to do, get to it soon, tomorrow or next week may be too late, and you don’t want to be

caught flat-footed with this impending development.

Duafe, the wooden comb, represents the qualities of beauty, cleanliness, looking one’s best, and other

desirable feminine qualities, such as goodness, love and care. This Adinkra commentary is being

written at the time of the great pandemic of 2020. During such times, when everyone is quarantined at

home, concern about mundane, every-day things like grooming or getting fully-dressed, or even the

deeper qualities, such as goodness, love and care, can sort-of fall by the way-side because hey, we’re all stuck

at home anyway, we’re tired of seeing the same people, even if we love them, and I’m-too-busy-staying-alive-

thank-you-very-much. But Duafe’s message is that good grooming, goodness, love, and care can matter even

more at those times when we’re feeling low, because they’re morale-boosters. They remind us we’re human

and we matter and it keeps our spirits up. Alternatively, your life situation may be that you need to attend to

matters of both personal grooming and internal hygiene, because there’s somebody on whom you need to make

a good impression.

Nea Ope Se Obedi Hene translates as ‘He who wants to be king.’ It embodies the principles of service

and leadership, and the notion that he who would be king must first learn how to serve. A leader,

ironically enough, ultimately serves the people they lead. He leads, because they need someone to

serve as the supervisor for the whole operation. But another element at work in this Adinkra symbol is, if you

want to be the top-dog in an organization, you’re going to have to humble yourself and start at the bottom. This

could be foretelling some low-status-work you have to do, if you want to someday be the person calling the

shots. The idea, of course, is that by starting at the bottom and working your way up, you’ll know every job in

the place and therefore, be a better leader. So try to see the grunt-work as ‘information-gathering.’

Mmere Dane translates as ‘time changes.’ It’s not by accident it resembles an hour-glass. It embodies

the concepts of change, life’s dynamics, and the notion that time changes (things and people) and that

times change (technology, entertainment, societal structure and values, government, education, etc.).

If you don’t like the way your life is right now, realize that now isn’t permanent. If you don’t like the

way others are, or a situation is, realize that time is changing them, even as you read this. The present is

constantly slipping away into the past, while the future surges on in. Flexibility is called for here. As the Tao

Te Ching points out, flexibility is embodying life, stiff-and-unyielding is embodying death. Embrace change,

and be re-assured it’s happening, even if it seems like nothing is happening.

Fafanto, the butterfly stands for the values of tenderness, gentleness, honesty, and fragility. It means

going without, even if something is plentiful. Ever hear the old advertising slogan, ‘Try a Little

Tenderness?’ If the spinner has chosen this Adinkra symbol, it may be try-a-little-tenderness time.

There could be someone obviously-fragile in your environment, or someone seemingly hard and

surly. Being gentle, showing tenderness, and being honest with both of them can pay surprising dividends right

now. You can meet toughness for toughness, but meeting toughness with Fafanto can throw them completely

off-balance, leaving an opening to victory for you. Think judo. Going without so there is more for others is

another tactic which will garner you points with many people. Is there anywhere you can show this generosity?

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Adinkra Commentary, con’t.

Aya, the fern, is an Adinkra symbol which is painted on the cloth of someone who has endured much

adversity and outlasted much difficulty. They’ve ‘been in sorrow’s kitchen and they licked out all the

pots’ to quote the title of a book about a person who had been through an Aya experience. It marks the

wearer for special honor, because they’ve survived a lot, and grown very strong, in an emotional,

mental, and spiritual sense, in the process. Aya embodies the qualities of endurance, resourcefulness, and the

ability to thrive in a difficult place. It’s not something everybody is capable of, or is called-upon to exhibit in

their lives, but it may be called-upon from you now. Ferns grow close to the ground, and they grow in more

than one place. This fact might hold a key to surviving whatever it is you’re going through. Or, there may be

an Aya sort of person in your environment right now and you may or may not know this. See if you can

identify who this person is, and if they are willing to talk to you about it, because there is much you can learn

from them. If not, simply honor them in your own way. Your honor makes their past easier for them to bear.

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