Symbols for Friendship: The Infinity Symbol & Beyond
There may be no shortage of symbols and representations of romantic love throughout history and in today’s society. However, romantic love is not the only type of meaningful relationship in life – friendship, for many people, can be just as important. If you are interested in learning more about ways to honor your friendship with symbols, it can be helpful to learn about the cultural and historical context of certain representations of this type of relationship. For professional assistance in navigating friendship struggles, consider working with a licensed therapist.
Friendship can be seen as a key part of human interaction and survival, and as such, it has been memorialized in a number of symbols throughout history.
Ancient symbols of friendship
Two classic concepts of friendship come from ancient Roman and Greek culture. In Roman culture, the phrase “amicitia” was often used to indicate people were forever friends, and most symbols representing amicitia involved circles and other forms of infinite continuity.
In ancient Greece, the word “philia” described the kind of platonic love friends often share, and it could also be represented by a range of friendship symbols, including clasped hands.
Ancient Asian cultures also depicted friendship in various ways. Both the Chinese symbol and the Japanese symbol for friendship resemble two hands close together, intended to signify friendship’s close bond.
Modern interpretations of friendship symbols
A common modern method used to symbolize friendship is friendship bracelets, which build on the circles and continuity associated with the Roman idea of amicitia. The pop star Taylor Swift can be said to have given new popularity to the classic friendship bracelet by inspiring her fans to swap bracelets with each other at her concerts.
Another modern evolution of various symbols of friendship builds on the clasped hands and connected hands of Greek, Chinese, and Japanese culture: the pinky promise. This popular and potent symbol of friendship generally involves linking pinky fingers to symbolize dedication and commitment.
Popular symbols for friendship
Learn about additional symbols of friendship, such as the Claddagh ring and friendship knot, below.
The Claddagh ring is an older symbol of friendship that is still in style today. The Claddagh ring incorporates the traditional Irish Celtic symbol in which two hands hold a heart with a crown on top. This symbol can represent friendship, love, and loyalty, and as a result, Claddagh rings are often given as gifts between friends and intimate partners.
The friendship knot may be one of the most popular symbols of friendship. Like many of the symbols previously discussed, it represents eternal connection, as the knot has no apparent beginning or end. Unlike a simple circle, though, the friendship knot is complex, which can be seen as a symbol of how friendship can endure despite life’s complications.
The infinity symbol for friendship
The infinity symbol, a horizontal figure eight, may be more closely associated with math than with friendship. Still, what it represents can apply to friendship, too – a state of connection that stretches onward indefinitely and is unchanged by external factors.
The infinity symbol can be seen as a representation of how friendships may have no clear beginning or end, since they can continuously grow and evolve as the people in the friendship continue to develop themselves and their relationship.
Because many people are familiar with the infinity symbol, it may be one of the more recognizable representations of friendship, and as such, it can be a popular choice for friends looking to commemorate their relationship through tattoos, an exchange of jewelry, or another method.
You may have noticed many overlapping themes represented by the symbols discussed above.
Which symbol best represents your friendship? If you and a friend want to pick a symbol to wear in matching jewelry and tattoos, you might want to reflect on what sets your friendship apart. Have you maintained a connection over decades or through stressful circumstances? Did you become close friends while having shared experiences, like going to college or working a job together, and has your friendship persisted even though what brought you together has come to an end? Tailoring a symbol to your unique bond could help you narrow your options.
Friendships tend to be an important part of mental, emotional, and physical health – recent research has found that a lack of connection to other people is usually associated with an increased risk of mortality. Even if you are currently satisfied with your social support system, it could be helpful to speak to a therapist for additional support and to address any mental health challenges you may be experiencing. Addressing underlying concerns and learning effective communication skills in therapy could further strengthen your friendships.
In today’s busy world, it can be tough to satisfy all of your commitments, especially if you are trying to maintain a number of close friendships. Adding an in-person therapy appointment to the mix might overwhelm your already packed schedule. In these situations, online therapy could be a beneficial alternative option. With online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, clients can connect with a therapist from the comfort and convenience of their own homes and on their own schedules, including the potential for therapy appointments in the evenings and on weekends.
Research has indicated that online therapy can be as effective as traditional in-person therapy when it comes to addressing a variety of life concerns, including those related to relationships and friendships. A 2023 study found that people who participated in an online therapeutic intervention typically reported lower levels of social anxiety, higher levels of intimacy in their close relationships, and stronger connections with others overall.
Yellow roses are a flower often used to symbolize friendship. A jade plant may also be used for this purpose. Each of these is a powerful symbol of strong friendships and would make a meaningful gift for a good friend with whom you have a strong bond.
Different shades of yellow are often used to symbolize friendship, though this can vary between different cultures. A yellow flower or other gift can be a meaningful way to commemorate an important and lasting friendship.
There are many different symbols of friendship used around the world. For example, the friendship bracelet—a type of matching handmade bracelets with either simple or intricate designs that two or more friends wear—is thought to have originated with Indigenous peoples in certain parts of Central America and South America. Some people may also choose to use a written symbol to represent a bond between true friends—such as the Japanese symbol or character for friend or friendship, or the mathematical notation for infinity that’s often used to represent a long-lasting friendship.
The icon of friendship is a term used to refer to a specific painting related to the Christian faith. It depicts Jesus putting his arm on the shoulder of a friend. Many Christian individuals find deep meaning in this depiction and may look to it when praying or thinking about the appreciation they feel for a friend.
The infinity symbol is a mathematical symbol. It looks like the numeral “8” but horizontally on its side. People may use this symbol to signify friendship or to represent romantic love. Either way, the idea is that this symbol represents infinity, or the eternal and lasting nature of a certain relationship. Many friends or couples use this symbol in social media posts about each other or in letters or notes to each other, or they may even get a tattoo of it to signify their most important relationships.
What symbols for friendship and peace?
Doves or turtle doves are commonly used to represent peace—particularly one with an olive branch or a sword in its beak. The peace sign—a circle with a vertical line down the middle and two smaller lines extending off of it on either side—has also become a universal symbol of peace.
There are plenty of objects or design features that symbolize friendship, too. A heart represents love in general, and interlocking hearts or split hearts could represent a friendship separated by distance. There’s also the traditional Irish Claddagh ring, a piece of jewelry that involves depictions of a heart with a crown atop it and interlocking hands in front. The crown denotes loyalty, the heart symbolizes love and care between best friends or lovers, and the hands represent friendship.
The infinity sign is a popular symbol often used to represent true friendship that's long-lasting. The Japanese character for “friend” and certain types of flowers, like yellow roses, may also be used.
What are special friendship symbols?
There are various symbols that represent true friendship around the world. A hamsa hand, the lapis lazuli stone, hands holding each other, a yellow rose, a Claddagh ring, and a friendship bracelet may be used to represent the good fortune of finding true friendship in one friend or more. Or, friends with a long history of uncomplicated love and care for each other may prefer to choose their own symbol that’s meaningful to them.
What is the love symbol for friendship?
There are different love symbols for friendship in different cultures around the world. Some examples include the symbol of hands holding each other, a yellow rose, a Claddagh ring, jade plants, a hamsa hand, the symbol of elephants, friendship bracelets, and pine trees.
What are the symbols of friendship in nature?
Symbols of friendship in nature vary depending on the culture. Some examples include yellow roses, jade plants, elephants, and pine trees. The connection may be that, just like friendships, these plants can grow and flourish when properly cared for over time.
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