JEWISH SYMBOLS are visual representations of faith, identity, and tradition in Judaism. Understanding these symbols is typically a foundational element of Jewish education and learning, especially for those who are new to or returning to Judaism. Like every other religion, these symbols are peculiar to the Jewish people and bear deep historic and spiritual meanings. They appear in religious rituals, synagogues, art, and daily life.

Similarly, as a popular saying goes, “You will know them by their symbol.” When people in my workplace see a magen around my neck, they usually ask, “What is Judaism?” For a few who are curious enough, the conversation led to the ultimate question: how to convert to Judaism? 

Having said that, although there are many identities that reflect Jewishness, this post will explore some of the significant and commonly recognized ones. We will briefly explore their history, descriptions, and symbolism. Here are ten that you should know:

#Number- One: Magen David (Star of David)

The Shield of David, also known as the David’s Star, is the most well-known emblem of Judaism and Jewish identity today. While it lacks biblical or Talmudic authority, it became a prominent Jewish symbol in the Middle Ages, with early community adoption in 17th-century Prague, the capital and largest city of the present-day Czech Republic. It was adopted by the Zionist movement in 1897. Today, it is on the flag of Israel and holds deep symbolic meaning relating to God, the Jewish people, and the Torah.

• Description: A six-pointed star made by two overlapping triangles.
• Symbolism: Represents the connection between God and humanity and the unity of all directions (north, south, east, west, up, and down).
• Use: Seen on synagogues, Jewish tombstones, and in making ornaments and pendants.

#Number- Two: Menorah (Temple Candlebrum)

In Hebrew, the word “menorah” usually means “lamp.” It can also signify any candelabrum, such as the seven-branched Temple menorah. It is one of the oldest and most important Jewish symbols, dating back to the time of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Torah describes it in (Exodus 25:31–40). It served as a sacred object of worship, symbolizing God’s presence and spiritual illumination.

• Description: A seven-branched lampstand made of pure gold, made according to God’s instructions to Moses.
• Symbolism: It stands for divine light, knowledge, and Israel’s goal of bringing spiritual light to the world. The seven branches stand for the seven days of creation, which shows that God’s light keeps the universe going and gives it light.
• Use: The menorah is a national symbol of the Jewish people. It may be seen on the national emblem of the State of Israel, on coins, on government seals, and in synagogues. It remains a symbol of Jewish endurance, faith, and spiritual purpose.

#Number- Three: Hanukkiah (Chanukiah)

Similar to the menorah, the Hanukkiah is a special nine-branched candelabrum used exclusively during the festival of Hanukkah. This special Jewish symbol is used in commemorating the miracle that occurred after the Maccabees rededicated the Temple. Although there was only enough pure oil to burn for one day, it miraculously lasted eight days, symbolizing divine intervention and perseverance.

• Description: A lampstand with nine branches—eight representing each night of Hanukkah and a ninth called the shamash (servant light), used to kindle the other flames.
• Symbolism: Celebrates the miracle of the Temple oil and the victory of spiritual light over oppression. It represents Jewish resilience, hope, and the belief that even a small amount of light can overcome great darkness.
• Use: Lit during the eight days of Hanukkah in homes, public spaces, synagogues, and Jewish institutions. Displays of large public Hanukkiot are common around the world, symbolizing freedom of religious expression and Jewish identity.

#Number- Four: Torah Scroll (Sefer Torah) 

The Torah Scroll is the handwritten, holy text of the Five Books of Moses. It is the foundation of Jewish law, ethics, and identity. A qualified scribe (sofer) writes each letter on parchment, following stringent halakhic (Jewish legal) rules. Each letter must be faultless because one error can make the whole scroll invalid. 

• Description: A lengthy piece of parchment that has been carefully sewed together and connected to wooden rollers called Etz Chaim, which means “Trees of Life.”  It is kept in a holy ark (Aron Kodesh) and is often covered with crowns, mantles, and other ornamental items to show how sacred it is.
• Symbolism: The Sefer Torah is a representation of God’s wisdom and spiritual direction. The Torah is viewed not merely as a book but as a living covenant that connects the Jewish people to their heritage, values, and Creator.
• Use: Read aloud in synagogue services with a lot of respect and ceremony.  People show it a lot of respect by never touching it with their hands, never putting it on the floor, and often kissing or bowing to it as a sign of respect.

#Number- Five: Hamsa (Hand of Miriam)

The Hamsa is a palm-shaped amulet believed to offer protection, blessing, and good fortune. Jewish tradition commonly calls it the Hand of Miriam, after Moses’ sister, who stands for protection, healing, and spiritual strength. It is popular in North Africa and the Middle East. 

• Description: The Hand of Miriam is a hand-shaped symbol that occasionally features an eye in its center. The five fingers are commonly interpreted as representing the Five Books of the Torah, or the five senses dedicated to serving God.
• Symbolism: Serves as a symbol of divine protection, believed to guard against negative forces, especially the “evil eye.” It also represents blessing, abundance, and the watchful presence of God over His people.
• Use: It is commonly worn as jewellery, hung on walls, placed at home entrances, or incorporated into artwork. In many Jewish homes, it serves both a decorative and spiritual function.

#Number- Six: Mezuzah

A mezuzah (mezuzot in plural) is a piece of parchment with Torah texts written on it that is hung on the doorposts of Jewish households. It is a visible emblem of Jewish religion, a reminder of the wearer’s duties to God, and it is kept safe in a case. Some people may touch or kiss the mezuzah when they walk through the main entrance of a house. The case is affixed to the door.

• Description: It is a little container that encloses within it a piece of parchment with verses from the Shema. The most common types are made of wooden materials, plastic, and some fancy glassy types.
• Symbolism: It reminds us of God’s presence and commandments.
• Use: Put on the doorposts of Jewish dwellings. 

Blessings for placing a mezuzah:

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu likboa mezuzah.

Blessed are You, HaShem  our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.

#Number- Seven: Tallit (Prayer Shawl)

It is a Jewish prayer shawl worn during prayer services, and a smaller version, known as a tallit katan, is worn under clothing by some men during the day. Some individuals choose to wear a shorter tallit, while the larger versions that can envelop most of the body when wrapped are referred to as tallit gadol. A typical prayer shawl has fringes, or tzitzit, on its four corners, serving as a reminder of the Torah commandments. Wearing the tallit symbolizes a commitment to Jewish tradition and is often accompanied by specific blessings and prayers.

• Description: A piece of clot that has fringes (tzitzit) on its four corners as commanded in the Torah.
• Symbolism: In the book of Numbers (15:37–41), God commands Moshe to tell the Israelites to place tzitzit on the corners of their garments and to include a thread of blue (techelet). The purpose: “so that you may look at it and remember all the commandments of Hashem and do them.”
• Uses: It is worn during prayer, and in Orthodox congregations, males under the bar mitzvah age of 13 years are not allowed to wear tallitot.

Blessing for Wearing the Tallit:

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav
v’tzivanu lehitatef ba-tallit.

Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments
and commanded us to wrap ourselves in the Tallit.

#Number- Eight: Tefillin (Phylacteries)

Tefillin are two small black leather boxes that hold handwritten parchment scrolls with verses from the Torah, such as the Shema (Hear O Israel). For morning prayers on weekdays, they are worn as a physical reminder of God’s commandments. The Torah in (Deuteronomy 6:8) says to “bind God’s words as a sign upon your hand and between your eyes.”

• Description: A set of two black leather boxes (batim) that must be worn together:

1. Shel Yad is placed on the arm that faces the heart.
2. Shel Rosh is placed on the forehead, positioned above the brain.

Each contains Torah passages written by a trained scribe (sofer) on kosher parchment, and both are bound with leather straps know as retzuot.

Symbolism: Tefillin symbolize the unification of thought, emotion, and action in service to God. Both parts of them also symbolize two different things.

1. Head (mind) symbolizes the thought
2. Hands (heart) symbolize emotions and actions. By binding both, a Jew commits to serving God with the heart, mind, and strength.

Use: Worn mostly by Jewish men during weekday morning prayers, except on Shabbat and festivals. While wearing them, special blessings and sections of the Torah are recited, reinforcing the commitment to God’s commandments through daily prayer.

#Number- Nine: Chai (חי)

In Hebrew, the term “chai” signifies “life.” In Judaism, it stands for the holiness, blessing, and spiritual value of life. The letters Chet (ח) and Yud (י) in Hebrew make up the sign. Together they hold a numerical value of 18, a number associated with blessing, prosperity, and good fortune. Because of this, it is common in Jewish tradition to give gifts or donations in multiples of 18, signifying a wish for life and blessing.

• Description: The symbol is written using two Hebrew letters: ח (chet) and י (yud), often stylized artistically on jewelry, art pieces, or ceremonial items.
• Symbolism: Chai expresses the Jewish belief in the holiness of life, gratitude to God for existence, and the value of living meaningfully. The greeting “L’chaim!” (To life!), often said when raising a cup of wine, reinforces the celebration of life during joyous occasions.
• Use: It is most commonly worn as a pendant on necklaces or bracelets or incorporated into decorative art. It also appears in ceremonial jewelry, Judaica designs, and symbolic gift-giving connected to the number 18.

#Number- Ten: Shofar

The shofar is an ancient sound-producing instrument made from a ram’s horn. It is mostly blown during important Jewish occasions such as Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Its sound calls the Jewish community to spiritual awakening, prayer, and moral reflection. The roots of the shofar trace back to the Torah, where it accompanied coronations, battles, and sacred gatherings of Israel.

• Description: The shofar is a curved horn, traditionally gotten from a ram, which is cleaned, hollowed, and polished. It has no mouthpiece; its sound comes solely from the blower’s breath and effort, symbolizing sincerity and purity.
• Symbolism: It symbolizes repentance and renewal, calling the soul to return to God (teshuvah). Blowing of the shofar also symbolizing the divine coronation of God as King on Rosh Hashanah. It also means Freedom and redemption, recalling the ram sacrificed in place of Isaac and the proclamation of liberty in the Jubilee year.
• Use: (1) Used in some communities during the month of Elul to inspire spiritual preparation. (2) Blown during Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur (3) Its blasts (Tekiah, Shevarim, and Teruah) carry messages of awakening, brokenness, and hope.

There are many more symbols connected to Jewish identity beyond those discussed here. This post highlights ten of the most recognizable items, but others remain equally meaningful and are explored in a separate article within our Jewish Education Series.

Some readers may wonder why the Christian cross is not included among Jewish symbols, especially those within the Messianic congregation. The reason is rooted in a deeply held belief within Judaism: why Jews do not believe in Jesus as the Messiah. This distinction shapes Jewish symbolism and offers historical, theological, and cultural insight into one of the most defining aspects of Jewish faith.