Many of the symbols used by Aboriginal artists are a variation of lines or dots. Similar symbols can have multiple meanings according to the art region and the elaborate combination of these can tell complex Dreamtime stories.
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This symbol represents the tracks of a dingo (Australian native dog)....
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Three circles can have multiple interpretations - ants (honey ants), fruits, flowers or eggs. These are gathered by the Aboriginal women, as a food source (bush tucker) or used as a bush medicine....
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The boomerang is used by Aboriginal men for hunting small animals and for ceremonies....
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There are many species of bush berries, gathered by Aboriginal women in Central Australia. Bush berries are a staple food source (bush tucker) for Aboriginal people....
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Concentric circle can depict a campsite, meeting place or ceremonial site. These sites are culturally significant to Aboriginal people living in Central Australia....
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Roundels can depict camp-site or water-hole. These sites are culturally significant to Aboriginal people living in Central Australia....
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A Coolamon is a hand-crafted wooden dish, which is used by the Aboriginal women when gathering bush tucker, transporting water or carrying babies....
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Digging sticks are hand crafted wooden implements, sharpened at one end, which the Aboriginal women use to dig for edible bush tucker (roots, tubers, honey ants, reptiles). In womens ceremonies they are used as clapping sticks....
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This icon depicts the emu track. The Aboriginal men follow these tracks to hunt the emu (large flight-less bird), which is a staple food source (bush tucker) and is used for bush medicine. In men's ceremonies the emu feathers are...
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This icon depicts the emu track. The Aboriginal men follow these tracks to hunt the emu (large flight-less bird), which is a staple food source (bush tucker) and is used for bush medicine. In men's ceremonies the emu feathers are...
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This icon represents the tracks of the goanna. Aboriginal people hunt the goanna by following its tracks in the sand. The Goanna and its eggs are a principal food source (bush tucker). (There are various symbols depicting the goanna track,...
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These icons -hole (rock-hole), cloud or nest are depicted in paintings depending on the artists Dreaming....
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Aboriginal women use their digging stick to dig deep into the sand in search of honey ants. The honey ants produce a honey- like liquid in their abdomen, which is regarded as a special treat by Aboriginal people in Central...
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This icon depicts the tracks or journey path to the honey ants sites. At these sites the Aboriginal women use a digging stick to dig out the honey ant nests from the sand. The honey ants produce a honey- like...
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The hunting boomerang is hand-crafted by the Aboriginal men into the shape of the number seven. The longer part of the boomerang is the used as handle and the shorter wing is extremely sharp. It is used by the men...
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This icon depicts the track of the kangaroo. Aboriginal men hunt the kangaroo by following its tracks in the sand....
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This icon depicts a man with spears. The spear is a hand-crafted weapon the Aboriginal men use for hunting larger prey. (The icon(s) depicted next to the U shape, determines if it is a man or woman)....
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This icon depicts a man with spear and woomera (spear thrower). These are hand crafted wooden weapons the Aboriginal men use for hunting larger prey. (The icon(s) depicted next to the U shape, determines if it is a man or...
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This icon represents meeting place (concentric circles) and journey path (lines) . The meeting place is culturally a significant site to Aboriginal men and women. It is a place where Aboriginal people meet, gather around, sitting in circles....
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This icon represents the track of a moving kangaroo. The line in the centre depicts the track of the kangaroo tail, as it moves along in the sand. Aboriginal men hunt the kangaroo by following its track in the sand....
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This icon represents Aboriginal people sitting around a campsite or waterhole. (The U shape icon represents a person)....
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The U shape icon represents a person. (The U shape icon can represent male or female)...
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This icon represents the foot prints of the Possum. (This icon is depicted in paintings from the Warlukurlangu Aboriginal artists, Yuendumu - Aboriginal Art Regions of Central Australia.)...
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These icons are two examples, depicting rain. Aboriginal people celebrate rain, performing song and dance cycles during ceremonies....
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This icon has multiple interpretations. It can represent a sand hill, cloud, rainbow or windbreak (shelter)....
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This icon can represent smoke, water flow, lightning or bush fire. ( This icon depicted has many different interpretations, depending on the artists Dreaming )...
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This icon depicts a snake. In some paintings the snake is referred to as the Rainbow Serpent, a mythology creature from the Dreamtime....
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This icon depicts two examples of a spear. The spears are hand made by the Aboriginal men and used as weapons for hunting prey. The men heat the spears over fire or in hot ash to straighten or strengthen the...
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This icon depicts a star. ( The stars are referred to by Aboriginal people, as totemic beings )...
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This icon depicts campsite or resting place (circle) and the journey path....
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This icon depicts two waterholes (concentric circles) connected by flowing water (wavy lines)....
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This icon depicts a witchetty grub. Aboriginal women gather witchetty grubs, a principal food source (bush tucker) for Aboriginal people living in Central Australia....
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This icon represents a woman and a digging stick. Aboriginal women use a digging stick to dig out edible bush food (roots, yam, witchetty grub). In ceremony the women use digging sticks as clapping sticks....
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This icon depicts digging stick (I) woman (U) and coolamon ( () ). Aboriginal women use a digging stick to dig out edible bush food (roots, yams, witchetty grub). The coolamon is a wooden dish used by the women to...
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Aboriginal Symbols Glossary This icon depicts a woomera. Aboriginal men use a woomera (spear thrower) as a leverage, when throwing a spear....
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This icon depicts the yam plant and its extensive root system. The bush yam is a principal food source (bush tucker) gathered by the Aboriginal women in regions of Central Australia. In ceremony the women pay homage to the spirit...
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