Symbolism In African Inspired Wall Art: More Than Just Pretty Pictures

More Than Art—It’s Ancestral Energy

Look—afrocentric art doesn’t ask for attention. It commands it. But while the colors are bold and the shapes are fierce, the real power lies deeper—in the symbols, the stories, and the soul behind each piece.

When you hang African inspired wall art, you’re not just decorating a blank space. You’re honoring a lineage. You’re reclaiming a narrative. And let’s be real: you’re making a statement.

This isn’t just art for aesthetics. It’s art for ancestry.

✊🏽 What Is Afrocentric Art, Really?

Afrocentric Pink Wall Art Set of 3 | CulturalCanvasPrints

Let’s clear this up now—it’s not just “art by Black people.”

Afrocentric art centers African and diasporic perspectives. It uses cultural symbols, traditional patterns, and Black identities as the canvas, muse, and medium.

It pulls influence from:

Indigenous African spirituality
Pan-African movements
Diasporic Black expression (think Harlem Renaissance, Caribbean resistance art, even 90s hip-hop graffiti)

The point? It’s not about fitting art into a Eurocentric box. It’s about building an entirely new frame—one rooted in Blackness, pride, and power.

🧭 The Language of Symbols: What They Really Mean

Symbols are the heartbeat of afrocentric visuals. They carry spiritual, communal, and emotional weight. And each one whispers something to the viewer.

🔺 Adinkra Symbols – Ghanaian Wisdom in a Glyph

Gye Nyame Revelation 1:8 | NyameAsemDesigns

Adinkra is a system of over 60+ symbols, each with a philosophical message. Artists use them as visual affirmations. Some standout stars:

Gye Nyame (Except God): The ultimate sign of spiritual sovereignty
Eban (Fence): Security, safety, and family protection
Duafe (Wooden Comb): Feminine energy, nurturing, and self-care

You’re not just looking at a symbol—you’re looking at centuries of spoken history in visual form.

🐚 Cowrie Shells – The Original Flex

Cowrie Afro with Bird | 4thesoulShop

Used in trade, worn in ritual, and embedded in hair, the cowrie symbolizes:

Fertility
Abundance
Divine femininity
To this day, its curve mimics the shape of the vulva—a direct link to womanhood and creation itself.

🌈 Colors That Talk Back

African Woman in Gold Digital Print | PaintFu

In african inspired wall art, color isn’t for vibes—it’s for messages.

Red = sacrifice, life force
Black = the people, strength, resistance
Green = earth, prosperity, renewal
Gold = royalty, spiritual wealth

“In afrocentric design, color is a code—and baby, we’re fluent.”

🧠 Cultural Impact: Why This Art Hits So Hard

African American Wall Art | SavagePosters

You ever walk into a room and just feel different? That’s what afrocentric art does.

It Reclaims Identity

For centuries, Black expression was erased or appropriated. Afrocentric art slaps that legacy in the face with a bold “No, actually. We’re still here—and flourishing.”

It Reflects You

From natural hair to melanin tones to body shapes that don’t apologize, afrocentric visuals create a mirror for Black people to see themselves celebrated.

It Educates Non-Black Audiences

Yes, this art can teach. It invites questions like:

“What does that pattern mean?”
“Where is that style from?”
“Who is the artist behind this?”

Art becomes dialogue. And dialogue becomes change.

🛋️ Decorating With Intention: How to Use Afrocentric Art in Your Space

African Print Set of 3 | HomeWallArtPrintable

Let’s talk ✨interior inspo✨—but with purpose.

1. Statement Wall, Statement Soul

Hang a large, centered afrocentric print as the anchor of a room. Choose a symbol or portrait that feels personal—maybe a piece that channels your grandmother’s strength or your own divine feminine energy.

2. Mini Shrine Vibes

Pair your art with objects: incense, candles, ancestral photos, or books by Black authors. This turns a print into a spiritual space.

3. Mix Materials

Don’t stop at prints. Add in:

Textiles (Kente, mudcloth)
Sculptures or masks
Woven baskets with symbolic patterns

The result? A room that lives and breathes culture.

🪄 Bonus Tip: Commission or Customize!

Want to make it personal? Commission a local Black artist to create a piece based on your family history, zodiac sign, or favorite affirmation.

“Your wall doesn’t have to be trendy. It has to be true.”

This turns your space into an altar of self-love—and supports Black creatives in the process. Win-win. ✊🏽🖼️

💬 Final Thoughts: When Art Becomes Ancestry

Black Woman Art | PixelPineArts

African inspired wall art isn’t just about what looks good. It’s about what feels right.

Each print, pattern, and brushstroke carries echoes of home, history, and healing. Whether you’re adorning your apartment, your office, or your soul’s sanctuary—make space for art that knows who you are and where you come from.