Top 15 Symbols of Confidence With Meanings

Confidence is a vital human quality. It makes you feel ready for life’s experiences. If you are confident, you are more likely to develop a forward-facing attitude. This positive attitude helps to avail of all opportunities life has to offer. 

Confidence enables you to meet as many people as possible, learn from them and form deep friendships. Even if life gets tough and we face challenges, being confident helps us to keep going. Being confident helps you believe in yourself. It enables you to recognize your capabilities and skills. 

A confident and positive attitude can help you achieve anything you want in life. Throughout the course of history, many symbols have come to represent this remarkable trait. These symbols range from animals that display similar attributes to colors that represent this quality. Many types of flowers and mythical figures throughout history also represent confidence.

Let’s have a look at the top 15 most important Symbols of Confidence:

1. Secretary Bird

The Secretary bird totem has a very robust presence, and it is likely to intimidate others. This symbol represents someone who can stand their ground. This person can face fears and can stand up straight and state their opinion when it matters. It also signifies that one has to remove negative energy from life. It also symbolizes that one has to take care of family bonds.

When someone has to make any important decision in their life, then this symbol represents that the decision should be made with confidence. It urges you to think carefully about all its aspects and then analyze whether the decision is being made based on fear or whether it aligns with your goals, priorities, and values. 

However, it also represents hard work, determination and goal-orientedness. It also represents fearlessness and one who doesn’t mind taking risks. So it can be said that this symbol represents people who are well-grounded and never allow others’ opinion to dictate their actions.

2. Lionfish

This fish symbolizes letting go of the negativities in oneself and freeing yourself from pain.  It also tells you to take charge of your life and not let anyone finish your happiness.

It also means that one must stay strong in the face of adverse circumstances and to have faith in the goodness of others. Most importantly, it asks you to let your guards down and be the person you are. This symbol teaches you to stand up by your word and don’t let anyone move you from what you have said. 

People who are represented by this spirit animal are courageous. They outwardly might look gentle or weak, but their inner self is quite fearless; they are determined and have an ongoing drive to achieve. This symbol represents that such people are patient and don’t rush into anything. They think before they make any decision. [1]

3. Amaryllis Flower

This flower symbolizes self-confidence and pride. It is a genus of two kinds of flowering bulbs which belong to the Amaryllidaceae family. They are usually found in South Africa. It is a trumpet-shaped fragrant flower that attracts butterflies, birds and bees. It is also used in bouquets and decorations. 

Its name comes from the Greek word “amarysso,” which means to sparkle. This name is derived from a poem in which is said that a shepherdess called Amaryllis had a deep love for a gardener named Alteo. Each day she would go to his doorsteps and pierce her heart with a golden arrow.

The blood which came out from her heart created beautiful flowers along the path. This new flower was called – Amaryllis. This flower is also known as “Belladonna lady” or Naked Lady because its flowers bloom before its leaves develop. [2]

4. Dahlia Flower

The Dahlia symbolizes elegance, dignity, confidence and beauty. 

The origin of the name of this flower is obscure, but sometimes it is said that it was named after the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. It is the National flower of Mexico. The Aztecs used to frequently cultivate it.

When conquistadors took over the Aztecs in the 16^th century, they took various plants from Spain with them. Dahlia was one of the flowering plants from these. During the 19^th century, Dahlias became one of the most popular flowers all around the world. It was in 1963 when the government of Mexico made the Dahlia the national flower of Mexico.

Dahlia has also been used as a medicine for a very long time. Before insulin was discovered, diabetic patients were given a substance derived from Dahlia tubers called “Atlantic Starch”. The Aztecs also used this flower to treat epilepsy. [2]

5. Muscari Flower

Muscari, or “Moschos,” as the Greeks called this flower, is a symbol of power and confidence. It also sometimes symbolizes mystery and creativity. This flower resembles upturned bunches of grapes; therefore, it is commonly called Grape Hyacinth.

It is a non-poisonous plant, but one should be careful because it closely resembles Hyacinthus, which is quite poisonous. It is the most cultivated plant in Muscari, and there are a lot of plantations of Muscari armeniacum that, when looked at a glance, looks like a Blue River. The flowers are edible and are often used in making vinegar.

There are around 40 species of perennial bulbous plants in the Asparagaceae family, and Muscari is one of them.  It is a small plant that is about 10 cm to 25 cm in height.  It is a very low maintenance plant. [2]

6. Lilac Flower

This flower is ever popular and is symbolic of youthful innocence and confidence. White lilac symbolizes humility and innocence. There is a field lilac which is associated with charity while purple symbolizes first love. 

Lilac has a very strong smell that can be smelled from a far distance. They bloom only for a few weeks in spring. Lilac came to America around the mid-1750s. It originated in Europe and Asia. The Balkans, France and Turkey are the regions which have most of its natural varieties.

Rochester N.Y., is also called the capital of lilac. This area loved lilac back from the time 1892 when Highland Park horticulturist John Dunbar planted 20 varieties in the park. To this day, there is a two week long lilac festival which is attended by around half a million people each year. This park has 500 varieties of lilac in an area of 155 acres.  Lilac is also the city’s state flower. [2]

7. Yellow Color

Yellow is a color that boasts confidence. It also denotes optimism.  It is said that the wavelength of yellow color is relatively long, and it stimulates the brain. Therefore, in psychology, it is considered one of the strongest colors.

But one has to be careful of this color because some tones of yellow can also have an opposite effect and can create fear and anxiety. As sometimes said, a ‘Yellow streak’ can surface. [3] [4]

8. Red

Red symbolizes confidence. Many celebrities also used this color to give the public a message of confidence. Princess Diana and Former First Lady Nancy Reagan were seen many times wearing red to show their confidence and power.

Red is an intense color and has a lot of psychological connections. It depicts passion, love, power, confidence and anger.  It is also being researched that many football teams that wore red during play have won more matches. 

They reported red subconsciously gave the players confidence which impacted the opposite team.  Along with confidence, red also represents power. That’s why a lot of politicians like to wear a red tie with their suits. If you add a little red to your clothes, you can shine your confidence and strength through this color. This is a color that can work to your advantage.  [5] [6] [7]

9. Black

This is an elegant color and gives a sense of confidence, intelligence. Most men and women like to wear a black outfit because it is classic, a little mysterious and gives a sense of confidence. 

It is one of the most powerful colors. Researchers have found out that black came first or second in all positive attributes, including confidence, intelligence and sexiness. [8]

10. Athena

Athena was an extremely well-known Olympian Goddess with numerous attributes. She was primarily the goddess of wisdom and war. Athena was the ideal symbol of confidence and cleverness. She was also the master of disguises. [9] Athena was the daughter of Zeus and also his favorite child. 

In literature and art, Athena is depicted as a majestic and beautiful lady who emanates authority and power. [10] Holding an extremely important position within Greek Mythology, Athena represents confidence, wisdom, courage, inspiration, strength, strategy, and the arts. 

She has incomparable skills in warfare and was noticed for her heroic endeavors. According to Homer’s account of Athena in the Iliad, Athena was a fierce and ruthless warrior. She embodied rational thought and wisdom. Her limitless confidence gave her the ability to overcome all obstacles. She also served as the guardian of Athens, where the Parthenon was her temple. [11]

11. The Peacock

The peacock is a prime symbol of confidence. Want to explore your hidden talents and skills? The peacock can be your inspiration. Just like a peacock is unaware of how beautiful its feathers are, they can serve as inspiration for you to explore your true potential.

Peacocks are full of self-confidence and self-love. Peacock totems are also known to help one appreciate the beauty of life. They help you value beauty and grace. These totems enable one to learn the art of self-love and self-confidence. [12]

12. The Butterfly

Butterflies are an avid symbol of bravery, rebirth and growth. Seeing a butterfly implies positive change and graceful transitions. The Butterfly symbol represents smooth transformation and increased confidence.

Butterflies also represent freedom. If you are true to yourself, you will always be able to fly freely. [13] The butterfly transforms from a colorless and common caterpillar to an exquisite winged, delicate, and beautiful butterfly. Hence the butterfly is an apt metaphor for home and transition.

The beautiful butterfly represents hope and confidence. It also represents the triumph of the spirit over the material world. [14]

13. The Lion

The lion is a symbol that can represent many qualities. It is almost always associated with power, nobility and unyielding confidence. Lions also represent reliability, honor, courage and leadership.

The Rampant lion has also been used as a symbol of Scottish heritage to indicate Scottish pride. This symbol carries with it notions of authority, confidence, nobility and limitless bravery. [15]

14. Goddess Flaunta

Greek goddess Flaunta was the second cousin of Aphrodite. She was known as the goddess of confidence. Her story of self-discovery represented her journey to attaining self-confidence.

Goddess Aphrodite needed no reassurance that she was a great beauty. Goddess Flaunta’s story differed. Flaunta was not convinced of her own powers and was occasionally jealous of earthly women who were beautiful and confident. She studied powerful and confident women and strived to learn their secrets.

Finally, Aphrodite bestowed upon her the powers of confidence and the title of the goddess of confidence. [16]

15. The Tiger

Tigers are well known for their ferocity. They are also called the ‘king of beasts.’ The Chinese label tigers as symbols of confidence, courage and strength; Tigers also represent determination and military prowess.

They are strong avid symbols of protection, awareness and unyielding confidence. The Chinese also include Images of the tiger on gravestones to ward off evil spirits. [17]

The Takeaway

Confidence is a vital quality that makes people fulfill their maximum potential. The symbols listed above all represent this remarkable attribute in a subtle manner or explicitly.

Which of these Top 15 Symbols of Confidence were you already aware of? Let us know in the comments below.

References

1. https://www.spirit-animals.com/lionfish-symbolism/
2. https://www.atozflowers.com/flower-tags/confidence/
3. https://www.performance-painting.com/blog/3-ways-color-boosts-confidence-in-the-workplace
4. http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-properties-of-colours#:~:text=The%20right%20yellow%20will%20lift,colour%20of%20confidence%20and%20optimism.
5. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariaminor/2020/10/19/wear-red-show-your-strength-and-confidence/?sh=48f1306b1821
6. https://thecarousel.com/beauty/fashion/which-colour-makes-you-more-confident/
7. https://www.modernsalon.com/371385/research-confirms-that-wearing-black-makes-you-appear-more-attractive-intelligen
8. https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/character/athena/
9. https://www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Athena/athena.html
10. https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/athena/
11. https://www.reference.com/world-view/were-special-personality-traits-aphrodite-e93e3b7ca8eb36ca
12. https://www.sonomabirding.com/peacock-symbolism
13. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/butterfly-symbolism
14. http://websites.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/B/butterfly.html
15. https://hstattoos.com/lion-tattoo/
16. https://pamelamorse.com/2013/12/12/flaunta-goddess-of-confidence/
17. https://skullbliss.com/blogs/news/animal-symbolism

Header image of a lion courtesy: pxhere.com