Here are the cultural and religious meanings of some of the most basic signs and symbols. Knowing this, you can be aware of the subtle and obvious meanings of the images you choose to put in your global or even your domestic concepts.

	Peace Symbol - Designed in 1958 as a symbol for nuclear disarmament. It is simple, a circle meaning unity, and the semaphore characters denote N (for nuclear) and D (disarmament). Is also sometimes used to denote anarchy.
	Spades - Symbolizes a leaf, or tree, and thus life. Represents the cold seasons of fall and winter, the power of darkness, intellect, action, air , destiny and death.
	Hearts - Symbolizes the warm seasons of spring and summer, powers of light, knowledge, watery creation, love, fertility and the chalice.
	Clubs - Along with Spades, represent fall, winter, night and darkness, they represent the male principle, fire energy and will as well as wealth, work and luck
	Diamonds - Along with hearts, symbolizes the warm seasons and light and feminine power. Also earthly matter, money, courage and energy.
	Conch Shell - When blown, the conch shell signifies the voice of Buddha preaching the law and thus wisdom. It is also a symbol of victory or suffering an therefore also signifies reincarnation. The white conch shell signifies power on earth. To Chinese Buddhists, the conch is one of the eight symbols of good luck and can indicate a prosperous journey. To HIndus, it is sacred to Vishnu and is blown by him to awaken his followers from their ignorance. In Islam is signifies the ear that hears the divine word.
	Prayer Wheel Mostly seen with Buddhist in Tibet, is a symbol of the power of the sacred texts and of the creative force of the wheel as it turns and sends it's prayers to heaven.
	Om - Hindus, buddhists and Jainists regard this mystical monosyllable, Om, as a sacred sound with divine potency. It is the fundamental sound of the universe that brought about creation. Outside of Hinduism it is used in occult context where it denotes both goodness and spirituality.
	Ankh - This ancient symbol's original meaning is unknown, it's has one theory that says that it combines the male and female symbols of Osirus (the T) and Isis (the oval) and means the union of heaven and earth. It has come to symbolize life and immortality, power and life-giving air and water. Because it looks like a key, it became to be thought able to open the gates of death. Coptic Christians used it as a symbol of life after death. Today, when it is used in magic, it means peace and truth.
	Scarab - One of the most powerful emblems to the ancient Egyptians, it symbolizes regeneration. It is the god of the morning sun and signified the sun being rolled across the sky, therefore also symbolizing resurrection. Scarab amulets were often placed in tombs, signifying the renewal of life. If winged, as here, it also symbolizes transcendence and protection.
	Caduceus - This "herald's wand" was given to Hermes the herald of the Greek gods, or Mercury to the Romans. It had the power to transform strife into harmony. If placed between two fighting snakes, it caused them to intertwine around the staff and face each other in peace. It has come to symbolize medicine and the medicinal professions. However, it's main meaning has come to mean dualism and opposing forces coming into balance.
	Triqueta - Often used in Christianity to depict the Trinity. It signifies eternity. Has similar meanings to the trefoil. Often appears on Celtic Crosses and was a popular symbol in Gothic art.
	Angels - Persistent in the beliefs of ancient Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. They also appear in Hinduism and Islam. They are the divine messengers. Christians believe they are divine beings created by god before man and act as intermediaries between god and man. There are nine orders of Angels‚ seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels. Archangels represent aspects of God and protect against demons. The attributes of other angels such as Michael (a sword), Raphael (a pilgrims staff), Uriel (a book) and Gabriel (a lily) symbolize divine judgement, protection, wisdom and mercy.
	Mandorla - Closely related to the halo. It is often almond shaped and in Christian iconography, surrounds the holy figure. It's shape is associated with the fish shape that the early Christians adopted as their symbol. It also symbolizes the cloud that Christ used to ascend to heaven.
	Crucifix - Also called the Latin Cross. The most powerful symbol in Christianity showing Christ's great sacrifice for man.
	Shepherd's Cross. - A variant of the Christian cross. Symbolizes Jesus' role as the good shepherd, guiding mankind through life and death. A version of this serves as the crook, which is part of the regalia of bishops, signifying their authority over their flock of man. In Egypt, the god Osiris was often shown with a similar crook.
	Celtic Cross - Prevalent in Ireland. The cross and the circle are combined, signifying Christian faith and the sun. Although today it is considered a Christian symbol,it originally was pagan, where it was a symbol of fertility and life, the cross being male and the circle female.
	Labatun - Also called Constantine's Cross, the Monogram of Christ, the Chrismon, the Christogram and the Chi-Rho. Was one of the earliest symbols of Christianity and is composed of the Greek letters X (chi) and P (rho), the first characters of the Greek spelling of the name Christ. It was used before Christianity also, and was considered a good omen (chrestos, in Greek).
	Christian Fish - An early symbol used in association with Christ. It has multiple meanings, Christ is "the fisher of men", and feed the five thousand with 2 fishes. The initial letters of the Greek words for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior (Iesous Christos, Theou Huios, Sater) are used as an acrostic to spell out the Greek word for fish, ichthus. It also symbolizes baptism with water. The early Christian fathers, called the faithful "fishes", and used the symbol of the fish to indicate the secret meeting places of the persecuted early Christians.
	Buffalo Skull - To the people of the Plains and Southwest, the buffalo, or bison, epitomizes supernatural power as well as strength and bravery. The Cheyenne practiced the Buffalo Head Dance, and a buffalo skull placed on a dwelling, acts as a powerful protective guardian spirit against the powers of evil.
	Dreamcatcher - Protects the sleeper from evil spirits. It's construction is so that the evil spirit will be ensnared in it's web. They can either be worn as amulets, or hung by beds. Tribes that believe dreams contain important lessons place the dreamcatcher in lesser regard than those that don't. In some tribes, Dreamcatching is an initiation ritual where the initiate tries to catch the messages that the spirits are sending him.
	Union Flag - Only referred to as the "Union Jack" when flown at sea. Symbolizes the union of England, Scotland and Ireland. Composed of the white saltire cross and blue field of St, Andrew (patron saint of Scotland),. Upon this is the red saltire cross of St. Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), the red cross of St George (patron Saint of england).
	Harp - Along with the shamrock, the harp is the emblem of Ireland. It reflects it's Celtic heritage and is an attribute of the god Dagda. In Scandinavian mythology as well as celtic, the harp was regarded as a mystical bridge between heaven and earth.
	Tudor Rose - Represents a unified England. It combines the 2 symbols of the 2 warring families of Lancaster and York. Lancaster was the red rose and York the white. When Henry Tudor came to the throne he united and ended the "war of the roses" by combining the 2 symbols into 1 single flower, the red and white tudor rose.