The 41 Most Meaningful Friendship Symbols

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Learn the meaning behind the most popular symbols of friendship
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Friendship is one of the most wonderful and fulfilling parts of life. A true friend is loyal and honest and makes you feel loved and appreciated. If you’re lucky enough to have one or more forever friends in your life, you may want to show them just how much you value your friendship with one of the significant friendship symbols from the list below. Take a deep dive into the countless flowers, gemstones, and other important symbols that represent lifelong friendship.

Symbols of Friendship

Popular friendship symbols include yellow roses, dolphins, infinity symbols, and lighthouses. Friends may also choose a physical symbol of their bond, like a friendship bracelet, split heart necklace, or even a matching friendship tattoo.

1

Lapis Lazuli

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  1. The stunning blue-hued stone also symbolizes honesty, which is an essential part of any true and lasting friendship. Lapis lazuli has been a popular choice for jewelry since the prehistoric era, and it can be crafted into beautiful friendship bracelets and necklaces. [1]
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2

Yellow Topaz

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  1. Yellow topaz symbolizes friendship and fidelity. All different shades of topaz carry a meaning of loyalty, but the yellow-toned rock, in particular, is associated with friendship. Topaz is also the birthstone for people born in November, so a topaz gemstone may make a particularly meaningful gift for friends born in this month. [2]
3

Rhodonite Ball

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  1. Rhodonite balls symbolize unconditional love and friendship. The object’s symbolism originates in Greek culture, where the gemstone’s intense pink color is thought to communicate selfless and undying love. Between two friends, a rhodonite ball showcases their strong sense of friendship and mutual support. [3]
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4

Forget-Me-Not

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  1. The forget-me-not symbolizes loyalty and remembrance. Forget-me-nots are one of many beautiful flowers that symbolize friendship, but these small blue blooms are a special way to show friends how much their friendship is valued. [4]
    • Because of their connection to remembrance, forget-me-nots also communicate the importance of shared memories between friends.
5

Yellow Roses

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  1. Unlike their more romantic red and pink counterparts, yellow roses are all about platonic and uncomplicated love. In fact, yellow roses represent the stable and steady bonds of friendship across many cultures. With its cheerful, sunny hue, it’s easy to see why the yellow rose has come to symbolize all the joy of friendship. [5]
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6

Orange Tulips

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  1. Orange tulips symbolize friendship and appreciation. Their sunny color indicates happiness and cheer, making them the ideal gift to show love to a friend. After all, the happy color of the orange tulip reflects the joy and enthusiasm that friends bring into each other's lives. [6]
7

Lotus Flower

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  1. Lotus flowers symbolize purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. Commonly associated with new beginnings, the lotus flower may represent the new zest for life that arises within an energizing and long-lasting friendship. [7] Lotus flowers are a great choice for friendship jewelry, tattoos, and artwork.
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8

Chrysanthemums

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  1. Chrysanthemums symbolize optimism, joy, and well wishes. This delicate white flower has an especially important meaning in China and Japan, where it’s given as a symbol of positivity and cheer between friends. Their hardiness parallels the lasting nature of a bond between friends, while their variation in size and shape represents how many different types of beautiful friendships can exist. [8]
9

Jade Plant

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  1. Native to South Africa and Mozambique, these plants are often given as gifts to wish prosperity to friends in the New Year. If the jade plant begins to bloom, this symbolizes the flowering of friendship and the joy that comes from being properly cared for and nurtured. [9]
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10

Acorn and Oak Leaf

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  1. The acorn and oak leaf symbolizes longevity and growth. Oak trees are known to be strong and resilient, while acorns represent potential and growth. When combined, this symbol represents a friendship that continues to endure and thrive despite any obstacles in its path. [10]
11

Willow Tree

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  1. Willow trees symbolize adaptability and loyalty. The willow has flowing branches that bend and sway in the wind, similar to how true friends must compromise and make changes in order to preserve their relationship. Willows also have particularly deep roots, reflecting the strength and stability of a lifelong friendship. [11]
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12

Apple Tree

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  1. Apple trees symbolize nurturing and growth. As a contemporary symbol of friendship, the apple tree represents the importance of nurturing and caring for others. If we nurture the things in our lives—whether that’s friendship or a tree—we are bound to receive the fruits of our labors. [12]
13

Turtle Doves

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  1. These gentle birds always come in pairs, just like a best friend duo! They remain loyal to each other throughout their lives, which is why they’re such an apt symbol of long-lasting and faithful friendship. A pair of turtle dove symbols can be shared between two friends to forever remind them of each other. [13]
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14

Dolphins

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  1. Dolphins symbolize protection and loyalty. Also known as “the king of fishes,” the dolphin is renowned for its friendly and playful nature. Just like friends, these lovable ocean creatures are fun to be around and socialize with. They easily get along with anyone and remain loyal to anyone who treats them kindly, just like the truest of friends! [14]
15

Dogs

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  1. Dogs symbolize reliability and friendship in many cultures. The noble, loyal, and dependable nature of dogs are all the same qualities appreciated in a good friend. For this reason, dogs are often referred to as “man’s best friend,” making them one of the most iconic symbols of friendship. [15]
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16

Horses

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  1. Horses symbolize courage and loyalty. Throughout history, horses have been associated with heroic actions, especially in battle stories where they become the friend and companion of knights and soldiers. Just like a good friend, horses will stand by their loved ones even when the going gets tough. [16]
17

Celtic Friendship Knot

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  1. The design features an interwoven circle laid over a three-pointed symbol. Like an infinity symbol, the Celtic Friendship Knot (or Triquetra) has neither a beginning nor an end. For this reason, the knot represents the union of two spirits who choose to share a life together—just like two close friends might. [17]
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18

Celtic Friendship Trinity

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  1. The Celtic Friendship Trinity symbolizes love and bonding between two people. The Trinity symbol is a modern variation of the Celtic Friendship Knot. Instead of a circle, the three-pointed Trinity symbol is interwoven with a heart. This heart underlines the significance of the symbol as a representation of love, friendship, and eternal commitment. [18]
19

Endless Knot

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  1. The endless knot symbolizes eternal love and care in a friendship. This knot is one of the most ancient symbols in recorded history, with special significance in Hindu, Tibetan, and Buddhist cultures. [19] As the name implies, its “endless” nature symbolizes the endlessness of the bond between friends or partners.
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20

Triskelion

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  1. The triskelion represent the interconnection between different parts of life. For instance, its three interlocking spirals may represent past, present, and future or mind, body, and spirit. The triskelion originated with Celtic cultures, in which it represented the Earth, sea, and sky. [20]
    • In any interpretation, the image symbolizes the power of three, making it a potent symbol for friendship trios.
21

Ese Ne Tekrema

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  1. This symbol originates with the Asante people of modern-day Ghana, and its image represents a set of teeth and two tongues. Just like the relationship between the tongue and teeth, friends have their own responsibilities but also need each other to carry out their functions. [21]
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22

Pikorua

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  1. The Pikorua symbol represents true friendship. The symbol resembles a figure-8 shape and depicts the eternal connection between two friends and their independent life paths. Someone may give a Pikorua symbol to their best friend if they expect to be separated for some time. This gift communicates that their friendship will never be forgotten or lost. [22]
23

Chinese Symbol of Friendship: 友

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  1. 友 is the script for "friend" in simplified Chinese. Due to the character’s association with friendship, it can also be used as a visual symbol to refer to friends and their importance. [23] However, other dialects of the Chinese language use different logograms and characters to discuss friendship.
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24

Japanese Symbol of Friendship: Shin'yuu

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  1. Shin'yuu is used to refer to best friends in Japanese. The Japanese language uses symbols (rather than sounds) to express words and phrases. The word shin’yuu and its associated symbol are used to represent the closest of friends and confidantes. [24]
25

Shaka Hand Sign

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  1. This hand sign is formed by extending the thumb and pinky from a closed fist. While this symbol of friendship originated in Hawaii, it was adopted and popularized as a surfing or “hang ten” symbol by 1960s surfing communities.
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26

Hamsa Hand

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  1. The hamsa hand symbolizes protection and good fortune. The hand-shaped symbol may be given as a piece of jewelry or artwork to communicate hopes of luck and prosperity for a friend. In many cultures and religions, including Judaism and Islam, the hamsa hand represents protection, prosperity, and a connection to divinity. [25]
27

Interlocked Hands

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  1. Interlocked hands symbolize an unbreakable bond between two people. The hands clearly emulate the gesture of two people holding hands, whether platonically or romantically. The interlocked hands in the symbol display the intimacy and love between two people, although some friends may prefer similar gestures like a fist bump or interlocked pinky fingers. [26]
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28

Interlocked Hearts

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  1. Interlocking hearts symbolize a deep connection and bond. The two hearts are inextricably connected, just like two best friends or companions. When the hearts are united, they showcase the important and eternal link established by friendship. [27]
29

Hugging Emoji

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  1. The hug emoji is one of the most prevalent modern symbols for friendships. It’s often used in a message between friends to convey care, love, and a virtual hug! [28]
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30

Infinity Symbol

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  1. The infinity symbol represents eternal commitment and continuity. Invented as a mathematical notation representing the concept of infinity, the popular use of the symbol compares its neverending curves to the neverending nature of friendship and love. [29] For many friends, the infinity symbol is an emblem of their deep and lifelong connection.
31

Puzzle Piece

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  1. The puzzle piece represents how two friends fit perfectly together. Two interlocking puzzle pieces are often used as jewelry shared by two best friends. For example, each friend may have one puzzle piece pendant on a necklace or bracelet. When the puzzle pieces are brought together, they make for a perfect fit that symbolizes the unbroken bond between two friends.
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32

Split Heart Necklaces

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  1. Split heart necklaces symbolize a friendship separated by distance. Each split heart necklace in the pair features one half of a heart. When the friends are apart, they each carry a piece of the heart. When they’re together, the pieces of the heart can be fitted together to represent their unity and connection.
33

Friendship Bracelets

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  1. The special significance of friendship bracelets comes from the fact that they’re often made by hand and gifted as a token of friendship and affection. Additionally, wearing a friendship bracelet may be a way for someone to remain connected to their friend even when they’re apart.
    • A friendship bracelet can be made from any jewelry, although the most popular types are woven from thread.
    • This tradition is thought to originate with the macramé crafting done by indigenous peoples in Central America. [30]
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34

Claddagh Rings

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  1. The Claddagh ring is an Irish symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. The symbol features a heart with a crown atop it that’s being held up by two hands. The hands represent friendship, the crown denotes loyalty, and the heart symbolizes love. Combined into a single object, the symbols of the Claddagh ring are worn as a token of both romantic and platonic love.
35

Friendship Tattoos

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  1. Friendship tattoos symbolize a long-term, committed friendship. While friendship tattoos can take many forms, they generally indicate that a friendship is a lifelong one. To represent their deep love and appreciation for each other, a pair or group of friends may get a tattoo that highlights an important part of their friendship. [31]
    • For example, a pair of best friends who met at a summer camp in Georgia may get the camp’s GPS coordinates tattooed. Or, they might get a pair of tattooed horseshoes if it was a horse riding camp.
    • Another popular approach to friendship tattoos is getting two coordinating symbols, e.g., the sun and the moon, yin and yang, or peanut butter and jelly.
    • Other common friendship tattoos include butterflies, hearts, infinity symbols, and linked pinky fingers.
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36

Secret Handshake

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  1. Secret handshakes represent a unique bond between two friends. A secret handshake can feature a complex set of steps or be as simple as a fist bump. In any case, secret handshakes always provide a special expression of the connection between two people—almost like a secret language!
37

Lighthouse

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  1. As you might expect, the symbolism of a lighthouse comes from the constant light that it emits. The lighthouse symbol represents friends who bring sunshine, joy, and happiness into your life, even in the darkest of times. These friends guide us toward a safe place and give us a ray of hope—just like a lighthouse. [32]
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38

Sagittarius

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  1. The Sagittarius zodiac sign symbolizes warmth and loyalty. While typically associated with adventure and exploration, the Sagittarius personality is also known for its friendly and outgoing demeanor. Sagittariuses are fiercely loyal friends and can make new connections practically anywhere they go! [33]
    • If you have an archer-signed friend in your life, gifting them the symbol of their Zodiac sign is a particularly significant way to show your appreciation for their innately valuable friendship—after all, there’s no friend like a Sag!
39

Sun Symbol

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  1. The sun symbolizes warmth and happiness. The natural glow and light of the sun represent the joy and happiness of a beautiful friendship. Suns are a common motif in friendship tattoos where one friend has the sun and the other the moon, symbolizing their cosmic connection to each other.
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40

Star Symbol

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  1. Stars symbolize hope and guidance. We often turn to our friends for advice and new perspectives, which is why friends may feel like our guiding stars. Friends often exchange gifts featuring the star symbol to signify the support they provide for each other.
41

Amicitia and Fides

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  1. Amicitia was used to describe a platonic connection between two people that transcended the average bond. Fides refers to a more formal type of friendship that was even more all-encompassing and binding. [34]
    • Citizens of Ancient Rome used these terms to describe their deep loyalty and appreciation for close friends.
    • The words were used almost like relationship statuses and brought certain obligations along with them.
    • An amicitial relationship, for example, carried the expectation of frequent gifts and other tokens of appreciation.
    • Similarly, Fides guaranteed that the two members of the friendship would remain loyal and fulfill their obligations to each other.
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      • While some friendship symbols are already tangible and wearable (like a friendship bracelet or necklace), others must be incorporated into other objects. Visual symbols like the infinity symbol or lighthouse may be engraved on jewelry, printed on memorabilia, or worked into tattoos.
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      • Friendship symbols are a great way to show your friends you care . Choose a symbol that resonates with you and your friendship and gift it to your friend in the form of a card, bracelet, or other meaningful present.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.gemsociety.org/article/history-legend-lapis-lazuli-gems-yore/
      2. ↑ https://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones/november-birthstones/
      3. ↑ https://www.ancient-symbols.com/friendship-symbols.html
      4. ↑ https://symbolsage.com/friendship-symbols-list/
      5. ↑ https://symbolsage.com/friendship-symbols-list/
      6. ↑ https://tulipsinholland.com/2024/01/the-language-of-tulips-meaning-behind-tulip-colors/
      7. ↑ http://www.buddhistsymbols.org/
      8. ↑ https://www.ancient-symbols.com/friendship-symbols.html
      9. ↑ https://symbolsage.com/friendship-symbols-list/
      1. ↑ https://symbolsage.com/friendship-symbols-list/
      2. ↑ https://symbolsage.com/friendship-symbols-list/
      3. ↑ https://themindfool.com/friendship-symbol/
      4. ↑ https://themindfool.com/friendship-symbol/
      5. ↑ https://themindfool.com/friendship-symbol/
      6. ↑ https://www.rover.com/blog/dogs-called-mans-best-friend/
      7. ↑ https://themindfool.com/friendship-symbol/
      8. ↑ https://artincontext.org/celtic-knot/
      9. ↑ https://irishcultureandtraditions.org/2021/02/05/8-popular-celtic-knots-in-jewelry-and-meaning/
      10. ↑ https://buddhaandkarma.com/blogs/guide/endless-knot-meaning
      11. ↑ https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/triskelion-meaning/
      12. ↑ http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/esen.htm
      13. ↑ https://symbolikon.com/downloads/pikorua-double-twist-maori/
      14. ↑ https://www.kanshudo.com/kanji/%E5%8F%8B
      15. ↑ https://teamjapanese.com/friend-in-japanese/
      16. ↑ https://jwa.org/blog/risingvoices/unity-through-symbolism-hamsa
      17. ↑ https://themindfool.com/friendship-symbol/
      18. ↑ https://themindfool.com/friendship-symbol/
      19. ↑ https://emojipedia.org/people-hugging
      20. ↑ https://math.dartmouth.edu/~matc/Readers/HowManyAngels/InfinityMind/IM.html
      21. ↑ https://makinghistory.web.unc.edu/2018/02/knot-yours-to-colonize/
      22. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/beauty/best-friend-tattoos
      23. ↑ https://themindfool.com/friendship-symbol/
      24. ↑ https://themindfool.com/friendship-symbol/
      25. ↑ https://www.stpaulscanton.org/uploads/4/4/7/3/4473004/friendship_among_the_romans_6th_sun_of_easter.pdf

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