Are you drawn to the mysterious world of witchcraft but feel overwhelmed by all the strange symbols you keep seeing?
Maybe you’ve spotted a pentagram on someone’s jewelry or noticed a triple moon symbol and wondered what it actually means.
Witchcraft symbols aren’t just pretty designs; they’re powerful tools that witches have used for centuries to focus their energy, protect themselves, and connect with nature and the spiritual world.
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Today, I’m breaking down 20 essential witchcraft symbols in simple terms, so you can learn what each one means and how witches use them.
What Is Witchcraft?
Witchcraft is a spiritual practice that connects people with nature, energy, and the unseen forces around us. It’s been practiced in different forms across nearly every culture throughout history.
Modern witchcraft isn’t about flying on broomsticks or casting evil spells like you see in movies—it’s about using natural energy, intention, and ritual to create positive change in your life. Witches work with herbs, crystals, moon phases, and yes, witchcraft symbols to focus their intentions and manifest their goals.
What Are Witchcraft Symbols?
Witchcraft symbols are visual representations of spiritual concepts, energies, or intentions that witches use in their practice. Think of them like a shorthand language for magical work—each symbol carries specific meaning and power.
When a witch uses a symbol, they’re not just drawing a pretty picture. They’re calling upon the energy and meaning that symbol represents. Witchcraft symbols have been passed down through generations, with each one holding deep significance in magical practice.
20 Witchcraft Symbols You Should Know
1. The Pentagram
The pentagram is probably the most recognized witchcraft symbol out there. It’s a five-pointed star, and each point represents one of the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and spirit.
What it means:
- Each point represents an element (earth, air, fire, water, spirit)
- The top point symbolizes spirit ruling over the physical elements
- When inside a circle (pentacle), it represents unity and wholeness
- Used for protection and calling upon elemental energies
- An upright pentagram is about balance, not evil despite what movies show
2. The Triple Moon
The triple moon symbol shows three moons in a row: a waxing crescent on the left, a full moon in the center, and a waning crescent on the right. This witchcraft symbol represents the three phases of the Goddess in Wiccan tradition.
What it means:
- Maiden (waxing moon): new beginnings, youth, potential
- Mother (full moon): creation, fertility, peak power
- Crone (waning moon): wisdom, endings, transformation
- Honors the divine feminine energy
- Connects witches to the moon’s changing energy throughout the month
3. The Horned God
The Horned God symbol looks like a circle with a crescent moon on top, resembling horns. This represents the masculine counterpart to the Goddess in many witchcraft traditions.
What it means:
- Represents masculine energy and nature deities
- The horns connect to animals and the wild aspects of life
- Rules over forests, hunting, and the cycle of life and death
- Not a devil symbol—it’s about nature connection
- Brings balance when working with both masculine and feminine energies
4. The Ankh
The ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol that looks like a cross with a loop at the top. It represents eternal life and the union of masculine and feminine energies.
What it means:
- The loop represents feminine energy (like a womb)
- The cross below represents masculine energy
- Together they symbolize the creation of life
- Used in healing rituals and past life work
- Connects to ancient Egyptian wisdom and life force energy
5. The Eye of Horus
The Eye of Horus shows a stylized eye with distinctive markings below it. According to Egyptian mythology, when Horus’s eye was restored after battle, it became a symbol of healing and wholeness.
What it means:
- Protection against evil eye and negative energy
- Represents healing, royal power, and good health
- Used as a protective amulet on jewelry and ritual tools
- Symbolizes the ability to see beyond the physical world
- Common in protection spells and spiritual sight work
6. The Triquetra
The triquetra is made of three interlocking arcs forming a triangular shape. This ancient Celtic witchcraft symbol represents the sacred number three.
What it means:
- Can represent the triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone)
- Symbolizes three realms: earth, sea, and sky
- Represents past, present, and future
- Shows the connection of mind, body, and spirit
- The interlocking design makes it powerful for protection magic
7. The Spiral
The spiral is one of the oldest witchcraft symbols found in ancient carvings around the world. It moves outward from a center point, showing expansion and development.
What it means:
- Represents the journey of life and spiritual growth
- Symbolizes the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
- Clockwise spiral draws energy in and builds power
- Counterclockwise spiral releases or banishes energy
- Used in meditation to represent personal transformation
8. Hecate’s Wheel
Hecate’s Wheel has a center circle and three radiating points, forming a labyrinth-like design. It represents Hecate, the Greek goddess of witchcraft, crossroads, and magic.
What it means:
- Honors Hecate and calls upon her magical energy
- Represents the three-way crossroads where Hecate appears
- The three points symbolize moon phases or three realms (earth, sea, sky)
- Powerful for spells involving choices and transitions
- Used in shadow work and major life decisions
9. The Witch’s Knot
The Witch’s Knot is made of four interlocking circles forming a square pattern in the center. This witchcraft symbol is used for protection, especially to ward off evil spirits and negative magic.
What it means:
- The continuous loops trap negative energy
- Prevents harmful energy from entering a space
- Four circles represent the four elements working in harmony
- Often carved on doors, windows, or ritual tools
- Used to bind spells or seal magical work
10. The Sun Wheel
The Sun Wheel looks like a cross inside a circle with equal-length arms. It represents the sun’s power and the cycle of the year through the four seasons.
What it means:
- The four arms mark solstices and equinoxes
- Represents masculine solar energy and strength
- Used in spells for success, vitality, and personal power
- Honors seasonal changes and the wheel of the year
- The circle shows the eternal cycle while the cross marks four directions
11. The Sigil of Lucifer
The Sigil of Lucifer is a V-shaped symbol with additional lines forming a chalice-like design. In witchcraft (not Christianity), Lucifer represents the light-bearer and the morning star Venus.
What it means:
- Represents enlightenment and knowledge
- Symbolizes rebellion against unjust authority
- Used for self-empowerment and breaking limiting beliefs
- About seeking truth, not devil worship
- Brings light to darkness through wisdom
12. The Cauldron
The cauldron symbol represents transformation, rebirth, and the womb of the Goddess. In witchcraft symbols, it’s where ingredients combine and change into something new.
What it means:
- Represents transformation and spiritual rebirth
- Connected to feminine power and creativity
- Holds all four elements working together
- Used in spells about change and manifestation
- Symbolizes the womb where new ideas are born
13. The Athame
The athame symbol represents the ritual dagger or knife used in witchcraft ceremonies. It’s shown as a double-edged blade and represents the element of air or fire.
What it means:
- Used to direct energy and cast circles
- Represents masculine energy and willpower
- Symbolizes the power of the mind and intention
- Not for physical cutting—for cutting through spiritual barriers
- The double edges show power can create or destroy
14. The Chalice
The chalice or cup symbol represents the element of water and feminine energy. In witchcraft symbols, it’s the counterpart to the athame.
What it means:
- Represents feminine and receptive energy
- Symbolizes the womb and emotional depths
- Used in spells for love, intuition, and healing
- When athame enters chalice, it represents creation
- Holds water or wine during rituals
15. The Besom (Broom)
The besom or broom is a witchcraft symbol representing cleansing and purification. Witches really do use brooms—but not for flying!
What it means:
- Sweeps away negative energy before rituals
- The staff represents masculine, the bristles represent feminine
- Used for protection when placed over doorways
- Appears in handfasting (wedding) ceremonies
- Clears old energy to make room for new intentions
16. The Horned Hand
The Horned Hand is a hand gesture symbol with the index and pinky fingers extended while the other fingers are folded down. In witchcraft, this represents the Horned God.
What it means:
- Used for protection and to ward off evil eye
- Channels energy during rituals
- Shows reverence to nature deities
- The two horns connect physical and spiritual worlds
- Used to bless, cast circles, or direct energy
17. The Seal of Solomon
The Seal of Solomon is a six-pointed star made of two interlocking triangles. One triangle points up (fire, masculine, spirit) and one points down (water, feminine, matter).
What it means:
- Represents perfect balance and “as above, so below”
- One triangle is masculine/spiritual, one is feminine/physical
- Used in protection magic and spirit work
- Powerful for manifestation that brings ideas into reality
- Symbolizes the balance of all opposites
18. The Moon Phases
The moon phases symbol shows the lunar cycle from new moon through full moon and back again. This is one of the most important witchcraft symbols because witches work closely with moon energy.
What it means:
- New moon: new beginnings and fresh starts
- Waxing moon: growth and building energy
- Full moon: peak power and manifestation
- Waning moon: banishing and releasing
- Represents working with natural cycles instead of against them
19. The Witch’s Pyramid
The Witch’s Pyramid is represented by a triangle or pyramid shape with four sides. Each side represents one power a witch must develop.
What it means:
- To Know: knowledge and study of your craft
- To Will: focused intention and willpower
- To Dare: courage to actually do the spell
- To Keep Silent: discretion about your magical work
- To Go: bringing all principles together in action
20. The Elemental Symbols
The four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—each have their own triangular witchcraft symbols. These symbols represent the building blocks of everything in existence.
What they mean:
- Earth (downward triangle with line): stability and grounding
- Air (upward triangle with line): intellect and communication
- Fire (upward triangle): passion and transformation
- Water (downward triangle): emotion and intuition
- Used to call upon specific energies during spellwork
Final Thoughts
Today, we covered 20 essential witchcraft symbols that witches have used for centuries to focus their power and connect with spiritual energies. Each symbol carries its own meaning and purpose, from protection to transformation to honoring deities.
Whether you’re interested in starting your own witchcraft practice or you’re just curious about these mysterious symbols, I hope this knowledge gives you a solid foundation. Remember, witchcraft symbols work because of the intention and energy you put into them—the symbol itself is just a tool to focus your will.
