Classic symbols of hope
The anchor โ๏ธ is one of the oldest Christian symbols of hope, taken from the Bible's description of hope as "an anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:19). Together with the cross โ๏ธ for faith and the heart โค๏ธ for love, it forms the faith, hope and love trio that is popular in tattoos and jewelry.
The dove ๐๏ธ returning to Noah's ark with an olive leaf signaled that the flood was ending, and the rainbow ๐ that follows in the same story is a promise that the flood will not return. Both are still read as signs that hard times will pass.
Modern symbols of hope
A semicolon ; is a mental health symbol of hope. Project Semicolon uses it to say "your story isn't over", because a writer uses a semicolon where a sentence could have ended but continues instead.
A seedling ๐ฑ, a sunrise ๐ and a butterfly ๐ฆ stand for new beginnings, and a candle ๐ฏ๏ธ is lit at vigils and in prayer to keep hope alive. Awareness ribbons ๐๏ธ show support for people facing an illness, and the mending heart โค๏ธโ๐ฉน means healing.
Hope vs peace
Peace โฎ๏ธ and hope often appear together, but they are not the same: โฎ๏ธ began as a 1958 protest sign and now means an end to conflict, while hope symbols point to a better future. For the full story of โฎ๏ธ, โ๏ธ and the dove, see the peace symbol page.
To send hope to someone, paste a short combo like ๐ง๏ธ โ ๐ or ๐ฑ โจ๏ธ into a message. For more uplifting picks, browse good luck symbols, butterfly symbols and rainbow symbols.