Top 7 Symbols of Mother-Daughter Love

The love between a mother and a daughter cannot be computed or measured, as it is a bond that is unlike any other.

Throughout history, there have been many different methods of representing a mother’s love and the bond between her and her daughter.

Some symbols that represent a mother and daughter’s bond can include flowers as well as various gifts and tokens of appreciation.

Understanding some of the most common symbols of a mother and daughter’s love can help with demonstrating the love you have for your own mother or daughter.

Symbols of Mother-Daughter love are: The Turtle, Celtic Motherhood Knot, Circle, Triskele, Yellow Cactus Flower, Triple Goddess Symbol and the Tapuat.

1. The Turtle

The Turtle is used as a symbol of motherhood and is well-known throughout North American culture.

The turtle animal is also often depicted as a sign of Mother Earth, lending credence to its motherhood connections.

The turtle’s biology is made up of thirteen independent segments that are separated beneath its underbelly.

While these may appear natural and innocuous, they also hold symbolic meaning. The thirteen underbelly segments located on a turtle’s belly represent all of the lunar cycles of the moon.

In many ancient tribes, cults, and belief systems, the lunar cycles are linked directly with femininity, energy, and fertility.

A turtle’s shell is even more detailed with an additional 28 marks on its backing, which symbolize the standard 28-day menstrual cycle among menstruating women.

As the turtle is responsible for carrying the majority of the weight it carries on its back, it resonates with mothers who also sacrifice themselves in order to raise and protect their young.

Using the symbol of a turtle between a mother and a daughter is a great way to strengthen your bond while also showing appreciation to one’s mother or showing mutual respect when one’s daughter has children of her own.

2. Celtic Motherhood Knot

The Celtic Motherhood Knot is another symbolic sign that represents the bond between a mother and her child.

The Celtic Motherhood Knot consists of the binding and interweaving of two hearts, combined to create a knot that is eternal. The symbol is meant to represent an unbreakable bond that is deep and unconditional.

Upon closer inspection of the Celtic Motherhood Knot, it’s easy to spot that one of the hearts included in the design is higher than the other.

The heart that is lower is meant to represent the child, while the heart above represents the mother, who is always looking after and over her daughter.

For mothers of more than one child, it is also possible to use a dot within the hearts as a representation of the number of children a mother has had.

The Celtic Motherhood Knot makes the perfect jewelry gift or a gift to show just how much love one has for their mother or daughter at any age or time in life.

3. Circle

At first glance, looking at a circle may not drum up any thoughts pertaining to motherhood or the relationships mothers and daughters share with one another.

However, the circle is much more symbolic than you may think. The circle is not just another object that is used in mathematical equations and pattern designs.

In fact, the circle is held in high regard by many cultures and in various religions around the world today.

Circles often represent the cycle of life as well as rebirth in many cultures. The circle itself can also represent fertility and the cycle a woman must experience in order to successfully conceive a child.

Circles also represent the round belly that a woman develops while carrying a child. The use of the circle in fertility practices, idols, and even throughout many religious practices demonstrates just how significant the circle symbol is when it comes to motherhood and the relationship a mother has with her own daughters.

Giving the gift of a circle is best on a piece of jewelry or even engraved on an item that is near and dear to your mother.

To demonstrate the bond between a mother and a daughter, having matching items that are circular is also fitting.

4. Triskele

The Triskele symbol is believed to be a symbol from Celtic origins. The symbol itself consists of three circular shapes that are connected and intertwined through flowing swirls and spirals.

The circles themselves interlock seamlessly, representing the Mother Goddess in Celtic beliefs. The three circular shapes are meant to represent the three phases of becoming a mother (maiden, mother, and crone).

The maiden phase is said to represent those who are pure and innocent, while the mother phase represents the nurturing and compassionate side of the mother.

Finally, the third spiral is said to present the crone and old phase, where the mother becomes wise and experienced in all things in life.

The spirals are unique and some cultures also believe that the spirals are meant to represent human legs extending from their center and growing spiritually as well as consciously over time.

5. Yellow Cactus Flower

When it comes to Native American culture, one of the most well-known and prominent flowers that represent motherhood is the yellow cactus flower.

The yellow cactus flower is meant to represent an unconditional and undying love for a mother’s child.

Because the yellow cactus flower is known for its resilience and ability to grow in even the most difficult climates, it also represents the perseverance that mothers know and understand all too well.

The original orchid cactus, also known as Epiphyllum, is a genus of around 15 species and is native to subtropical America and other tropical regions around the world.

Epiphyllum belongs to the Cactaceae family, and is derived from the Greek words “epi”, meaning “on”, and “phyllon”, which can be translated to “leaf”.

The Epiphyllum, or cactus flower plant, is often symbolic of patience, administration, and good spirits.

Due to its close links with both Native American culture and Greek history, it is an ideal symbol of a mother and daughter’s bond, as it represents resilience, strength, friendliness, and positive energy.

6. Triple Goddess Symbol

The Triple Goddess symbol is another symbol that represents womanhood and motherhood, which can also be used as a symbol of bonding between a mother and a daughter.

The Triple Goddess symbol has been known to date back as far as the 20th century, when the symbol was widely recognized by those who followed both Wiccan and Neopaganism practices.

There is even further evidence that the symbol has been in existence since ancient times.

The symbol itself includes a central circle and two half-moons on either side of the circle. The symbol is often meant to represent the Celtic Mother Goddess, or a woman who is in the process of turning into a nurturing mother to her own child.

The crescent moons which are also included in the symbol represent two phases of life that do not involve motherhood: the maiden and the crone.

The maiden era is said to represent innocence and purity, while the crone era of a woman’s life is said to represent wisdom and growth from years of experience.

7. Tapuat

The Tapuat symbol is one of the oldest and most common symbols used by the Hopi people.

The Tapuat symbol appears as a maze, or a labyrinth, which is meant to represent the journey we take as human beings, from beginning to end.

In some cultures, it is believed that the design of the Tapuat symbol represents the mother’s umbilical cord that is connected to her child while giving birth.

According to historical texts, the Tapuat’s center of the design is meant to represent where the beginning of life occurs, within the mother’s womb.

In other beliefs, the symbol is meant to be a bit vaguer and ambiguous, simply being referred to as “the journey” for those who do not make the motherhood connection with the sign.

However, for those who do believe that the Tapuat is a symbol of motherhood and the circle of life, it can make an ideal present to give to an expecting mother or to give to a mother as a grown adult child as a way of showing respect and appreciation.

Summary

Finding the right symbol to best represent a mother and daughter’s love and bond is not always easy or straightforward and may take time to find a symbol that is just right for them individually.

Using popular symbols of a mother and daughter’s bond such as flowers and other forms of gifts can help with strengthening the relationship and showing appreciation at any time throughout one’s life.

See Also:

• Top 10 Flowers That Symbolize Motherhood
• Top 23 Symbols of Motherhood

Header image courtesy: Mark Colomb, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons