Friendship Symbols

There are many different symbols that connote friendship—from interlinked hearts to friendship arrows and other symbols originating from all over the world. These symbols engraved on jewelry or worn as part of a tattoo all mean the same thing: camaraderie, loyalty and all the other traits and characteristics of friendship. Below are some of these symbols most commonly used and given to friends.

Friendship is one of the most divine relationships on earth. It carries the essence of all other relations. A friend can be caring like a mother, strict like a father, possessive like a brother, affectionate like a sister and shower loads of love like a lover. In fact, life is incomplete without friends. For the longest time, symbols have been a way of expressing friendship.

Speaking in terms of symbolical language dates back to the Victorian era, some even say it goes back even further. Back in that era expressing emotions with symbols became a popular style among people. Love and friendship are one of the most common symbolically expressed feelings. Men and women over decades throughout the world, have relied upon symbols to express their unsaid words and feelings. Each kind of emotion has a particular set of symbols to express the various levels of that particular emotion.

Here are some of the most well known friendship symbols.

Friendship Bracelets

This is a bracelet braided or woven using different colored embroidery floss or threads. Friendship bracelets originated from the Native Americans and were given as a sign of friendship. If you are given a friendship bracelet, you should wear it until the threads fray or break. In wearing a friendship bracelet, you honor the hard work and effort put in making them. If you remove the bracelet, it is an indication that your friendship has gone sour. Some even say that you are entitled to a wish and that the wish will come true if the bracelet falls off naturally.

Lapis Lazuli

This blue gemstone is considered as a symbol of friendship and universal truth. This semiprecious stone is colored a deep blue and is believed by people all over the world to promote harmony to relationships. Some even believe that it helps you state your opinions openly. This stone is also known to promote clear thinking, emotional healing and wisdom.

The Claddagh Symbol

This Celtic (or Irish) symbol is represented by two hands holding a heart between them, with a crown on top of the heart. Some say that the expression used to explain this symbol is “With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my loyalty." The symbol is used to represent friendship, love and loyalty. It is said that if you wear this ring on your right hand, with the crown turned inwards, it means that you are single. If you wear it with the crown turned outward, it means that you are romantically involved. If you wear the ring on your left hand, with the crown turned outwards, it means you are engaged.

Arrows of Friendship

For Native Americans, two arrows that cross at the center are used as a symbol of the bringing together two clans or two people. In essence, these two arrows represent friendship.

The Jade Plant

This succulent plant has small pink and white flowers and is a symbol of friendship. The leaves of the Jade plant, which are a deep green, is representative of the energy and joy that comes with a deep friendship. Give your best friend a Jade plant on her birthday or for Christmas. The sweet fragrance of this plant symbolizes your bond.

A Yellow Rose

Don’t give a girl a yellow rose unless you just want to be friends with her. A rose of this color symbolizes a true, close bond—but not the romantic kind. You can, however give this to someone you’re already in a relationship with to signify that you want your relationship to go into a much deeper level, or simply to tighten your bond with him or her.

A Rhodonite Ball

Also known as a rescue stone, this spherical talisman is given to a friend who you have a strong and stable bond with.

Chrysanthemums

Japanese use these dainty flowers (or “kikus,” as they are called) as a gift for friends. This flower has been a symbol for friendship in Japan culture for many years. Close friends exchange Chrysanthemums to represent virtue and their tight friendship. While the flower grows, it also symbolizes the growth of their bond.

The Chinese symbol for friendship.

Interlocking hearts are a well known symbol of friendship and love. This symbol can used to either express deep friendship and also love.

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