Hidden meaning of symbols you see every da

Symbols—man, they’re everywhere. Road signs, logos, phones—you name it. Have you ever wondered where all these universal symbols come from? Let’s dive into the mystery behind some of the most familiar signs, from the Bluetooth logo to the heart emoji.

How many times have you struggled to plug in a USB, flipping it over and over again? Total hassle, right? But have you ever wondered what the circle, square, and triangle in the USB symbol actually mean? The USB symbol was inspired by the “dyac,” or Poseidon’s trident. The three prongs of the trident represent the different devices you can connect to a universal serial bus (USB). It’s all about showcasing the power of USBs in connecting various devices.

The ampersand symbol—surely you recognize it from brands like M&M’s and H&M. It’s the simplest way to abbreviate the word “and.” The ampersand has a long history dating back to ancient Rome, where Latin speakers used it like we use “A” in French. Over time, it evolved to save space in written letters.

Now, let’s talk about Toyota’s logo. Simple and easy to spot, but why three circles when cars have four wheels? The Toyota logo was actually designed in a contest back in 1936. The three circles aren’t random. They can be arranged to spell “TOYOTA,” which is pretty clever, don’t you think?

Have you ever wondered why the bumpy, upside-down triangle is now known as a heart shape? This goes way back—hundreds of years BCE. There was a plant called Sfum, which had heart-shaped seeds, and the ancient Greeks loved it so much they put it on their coins. Interestingly, this plant was also used as a contraceptive, which is how the symbol became associated with love. Cute, right?

Then, there’s the radiation symbol. It looks like something from an abstract art gallery, but it’s actually a warning about dangerous radiation. Created by Berkeley researchers in 1946, it started as a magenta-on-blue design, eventually settling on black and yellow for better visibility. The symbol represents radioactivity “bursting out” from an atom.

Next is the biohazard symbol, which looks like an ink blot test. Simple enough, right? It’s a circle split by three squiggly lines tapering off at the edges. Created by Dow Chemical in 1966, it follows strict design rules to make it recognizable and minimal. It symbolizes a hazardous agent harming a living organism.

Hyundai’s logo is pretty straightforward: an italicized “H” inside a circle. But according to Hyundai, it’s more than just an “H.” The logo is meant to represent two people shaking hands, seen from the side, symbolizing prosperity and good vibes between Hyundai and its customers.

Bluetooth—the symbol may look like a fancy “B,” but it’s actually inspired by Nordic runes. These ancient runes were typically carved into wood or stone using straight lines. The Bluetooth symbol is a combination of the Viking runes for “B” and “H,” referencing King Harald Bluetooth, who unified Denmark and Norway.

Now, why do crowns represent power? One theory is that it ties back to Christianity, where angels are often depicted with halos, signifying divine rule. However, crowns existed long before Christianity and were worn by Greek deities. We’ll probably never know for sure.

How about the thumbs-up symbol? It’s often used to show approval, but historically, it might refer to ancient Roman gladiator fights. When a gladiator was dominating, the audience would give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to decide the fate of the loser. Back then, a thumbs-up meant “death,” not “good job.”

The yin-yang symbol dates back to the 14th century BCE and represents balance between opposing forces in Daoism. The symbol has literal roots—yin means the dark side of the mountain, and yang means the light side. So, it’s like looking down at a mountaintop—a trippy thought, right?

Then there’s pi (π), that magic number we use to calculate the area of a circle. While Archimedes of Syracuse gets credit for discovering it, the symbol itself was introduced by William Jones in 1706, chosen for the Greek letter of the word “perimeter.”

We see crosses all the time, especially the Christian cross, but there’s an even older one— the ankh. This ancient Egyptian symbol, also called the “Key of Life,” represents immortality and can be found in sacred texts and jewelry.

The staff of Hermes (also called Mercury) is used by many health organizations. But here’s the catch: Hermes wasn’t a healer—he was more known for thievery. The symbol actually originated from Asclepius, an ancient Greek doctor whose staff was entwined by a snake.

The “I’m okay” gesture may seem casual, but in Buddhism and Hinduism, it’s a sacred mudra called the “mudra of discussion.” It’s not just signaling you’re okay—it’s about transmitting Buddha’s wisdom to others.

The lightning bolt symbol, representing power, can be traced back to ancient times. It signifies fear of fire coming down from the sky, and is one of the oldest and most recognizable symbols in human history. It’s been used in cave paintings, Greek and Roman art, and Native American culture.

The Eye of Horus is another symbol with deep meaning. It represents good health and restoration. In ancient Egypt, Horus lost his left eye in a fight with the god Set, but it was magically restored. Since then, the Eye of Horus has symbolized healing.

Finally, the McDonald’s logo—probably one of the most recognizable worldwide—represents two golden arches, symbolizing the entrance to a special kingdom. It’s not just a letter “M,” but a design meant to evoke something more.