Top 15 Symbols of Leadership With Meanings - Give Me History (2024)

People working for leaders aren’t inspired or influenced by words and thoughts. We are all moved by images, emotions, and feelings. Inspiring leaders work with vision, purpose, and passion for keeping their team motivated. They use analogies, stories, metaphors, anecdotes, illustrations, and most importantly, symbols of leadership!

Here are the top 15 symbols of leadership that signify the strength, determination, and passion that leaders emanate:

1. Dragon

Both Western and Easterncultures regard this mythological monster as a symbol of power and strength. Dragons are used as symbols of leadership and power, as well as wealth and good luck, in the East, where they are more prominent.

The emperor of China has used the dragon as a royal emblem to signify his power and imperial authority throughout history. This comes from traditions that claim the Yellow Emperor, China’s first monarch, transformed into a glorious dragonbefore ascending to heaven.

Dragons were thought to guard the planet and act as gateways to other realms in Celtic mythology and were often represented by the gods. They were the most formidable of all Celtic emblems, guarding the universe’s secrets and riches.

The dragon, as a symbol of power and strength, is utilized to honor persons who possess these qualities. Being referred to a dragon implies that you are powerful andstrong.

2. Eagle

In the Near East and Europe, the eagle has always symbolized dynasties and leadership as well as power and strength. Usually, the golden eagle was used in connection with leaders.

Eagles are big prey birds with strong bodies. They don’t have anynatural predators; they have even been seen eating creatures considerably bigger than themselves.

The golden eagle emblem was chosen by Napoleon, the famous French leader, to represent his military, and the animal was drawn on theimperial coat of arms of theFrench.

In Aztec culture, the eagle was a symbol of power. After finishing their training, soldiers were rewarded with eagle paintings. According to the illustrations, these soldiers had achieved great things not just in raw power but also in terms of heroism and courage.

3. Thunderbolts

A thunderbolt, often known as a lightning bolt, is linked with the “Sky Father” in mythology from the Indo-European region (Zeus was the leader of the Greek Gods, after all!). It has also been mentioned in a variety of different mythology, mostly used as a heavenly weapon of weather and skygods.

Throughout history, the thunderbolt symbolizes unparalleled strength. In reality, military symbolism often uses the thunderbolt insignia.

The thunderbolt is alsoa symbol for the Norse God,Thor, the defender of humanity and the deity known for his raw power and legendary strength. He is often written and showcased as the most powerful among all gods, according to Norse mythology.

The emergence of the legendarythunderbird, acreature of enormous power and strength, is likewise linked to the thunderbolt.

4. Ailm

The ailm is an ancient Celtic sign with an enigmatic origin but a profound meaning. The plus sign symbolizes power, endurance, and perseverance, while the circle surrounding it indicates completeness and soul purity.

5. Boar

Boars, also known as wild swine or pigs, are assumed to have come from the Southeast Asia region in the Early Pleistocene and expanded over the Old World.

The swine god, Moccus,from the Celtic era, who was linked to Mercury, is connected with the boar. Wild boars were a sign of power to the Celts since they were seen to be strong, fearsome, and deadly.

King Richard III of England was also a fan of the boar emblem. During his brief reign, which lasted from 1483 to 1485, he wore the White Boar insignia.

6. Sphinx

The sphinx, like the griffin, has a lion’s body but a falcon’s head. It is one of the most lasting leadership symbols of Greek and Egyptian civilizations. The sphinx symbol is sometimes represented with falcon wings.

The depictions, on the other hand, differ. The sphinx may have the head of a sheep,cat,or a human (this is the most common).

The sphinx created many wicked riddles to test its prey and victims in ancient Greece . Its symbology has been taken to imply cruelty, mystery, and cunning.

In contrast to the negative reputation of its Greek counterpart, this monster was seen as a guardian who protected treasures, gates, and secrets as a beneficent protector in theEgyptian Civilization.

The sphinx’s combination of the body of the lion and the head of a human is said to symbolize intellect and power.

The Great Sphinx of Giza, located near the famous Giza pyramids, is the world’s most famous sphinx. The Great Sphinx continues to be an important part of Egyptian land, serving as Egypt’s national symbol, appearing on the country’s coins, flags, official papers, and stamps.

7. Oak Tree

The great oak was revered as a holy tree in many ancient European societies and was linked with power, wisdom, and endurance.

The tree was regarded holy in Greco-Roman civilization and was among the emblems of their major god, Zeus/Jupiter, a great leader of the Gods. The tree was also sacred to the Celts, Slavs, and Norse since it was intimately related to various thunder gods.

The Celtic term for the tree was drus, which may also be used as an adjective to mean “strong” or “hard.”

8. Uruz

Uruz is a sign of power and untamed might. The uruz sign also represents development, self-control, perseverance, and drive -perfectlyembodying all leadership qualities.

The uruz rune is the ox’s rune. It comes from the words ruz, which means “wild ox,” and r, which means “water.”

The aurochs were an extinct animalspecies of a big wild bovine, known to roam Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The last auroch is rumored to have passed in theJaktorów Forest in 1627.

9. Lion

Since time immemorial, the lion, like the eagle, has functioned as a symbol of power and strength, as well as that of rulers, across many civilizations.

The Egyptian Goddess of battle and the vindictive manifestation of Ra‘s strength, Sekhmet, was often represented as a lioness.

The lion is one of the emblems of Gilgamesh, ademigod, who was known for his heroic exploits and superhuman power in Mesopotamian mythology. The lion was connected with bravery and nobility in ancient Persia.

10. Tabono

Adinkra from West Africaare symbols that signify numerous themes and may be seen in many West African civilizations’ textiles, ceramics, architecture, and logos,notably among the Ashanti people.

The Tabono is a commonadinkra sign symbolizing power, perseverance, and hard labor: all the qualities of great leaders. It is shaped like four connected oars.

In this context, ‘strength’ refers to one’s willpower rather than physical strength, perfect for modern-day leaders.

11. Pempamsie

Another symbol from West Africathat reflects notions of power is the pempamsie. The sign, which resembles chain links, denotes persistence and tenacity, as well as power gained through unification (teamwork wins all!).

12. Hamsa

The Hamsa (pronounced Khamsah in Arabic, meaning the number of 5) is a palm-shaped sign that represents blessings, power, femininity,and strength in the Middle East –the best symbol of leadership for people breaking the glass ceiling every day!

It is mostly used to protect against evil eyes and ill luck in general. The symbol’s history can be traced directly to ancient times when it was utilized in both Mesopotamia and Carthage.

It’s also possible that it’s related to an emblem from Ancient EgyptMano Pantea, a similar style emblem used in ancient Egypt.

13. Jaguar

The jaguar is among the world’s biggest big cats and an alpha predator in the tropics of the New World.

The fearsome beast was seen as a terrified animal by many pre-Columbian societies, who utilized it as a sign of might and authority. The jaguar became a symbol of monarchy in later Mayan civilizations, and many rulers were given the title ofBalam, the Mayan term for the Jaguar.

The animal was likewise beloved by the Aztecs who lived nearby. It was an emblem of soldiers and warriorsas well asan emblem of the Jaguar Knights, their elite military unit.

The sun is also connected with the Phoenix, a Greek mythological immortal bird that dies and is rebornfrom the ashes. The manner in which it dies varies according to legend.

Some believe it just dies, but it’s most often shown as exploding into flames and transforming into ashes, in which it rises and is reborn.

14. Phoenix

It was credited to Ancient Egypt by Herodotus. Egyptian literature may have been affected by classical folklore, according to modern researchers.

The phoenix has grown in significance beyond its roots, becoming a symbol of global resilience, strength, rejuvenation, and resurrection. It was often used by pharaoh leaders in Ancient Egypt.

15. Griffins

Griffinis a legendary monster with a lion’s body and a bird’s head, generally that of an eagle. It might be wingless or have wings. Mediterranean and Ancient Middle Easternpeopleemployed the griffin emblem as a prominent ornamental element.

Christians think that griffins are tied to the sun and that their presence denotes the sun’s abundance. Griffins are symbols of power, as well as invincibility, and watchfulness in Christian art. It’s no surprise that leaders like Alexander the Great chose the griffin as his emblem.

Griffins are significant to Christians because Michael the Archangel is associated with them. A griffin with its paw on a ball is thought to symbolize enlightenment, which is said to guard the knowledge represented by the orb. An enlightened leader is definitely a powerful one!

Summary

These symbols of leadership can be the best emblem you need for your leadership role inspiration!

Header image courtesy: Ahmed shoukry 95, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons