Illumeably

12 Hidden Symbols in Everyday Life That Have a Secret Meaning

Discover the hidden meanings behind everyday symbols—clever designs that secretly tell stories and reveal more than meets the eye!

  • Alyana Aguja
  • 4 min read
12 Hidden Symbols in Everyday Life That Have a Secret Meaning
Parrish Freeman from Unsplash

Daily symbols tend to have secret meanings that pass undetected, from covert arrows in logos to historical references woven into contemporary patterns. These concealed details are not merely design choices—they are stories of tradition, ingenuity, and cleverness. By lifting the veil on these secrets lies a captivating aspect of design linking the mundane and the remarkable.

Image from 1000 Logos Image from 1000 Logos

The FedEx logo appears plain, but hidden between the “E” and the “x” is an arrow representing speed and accuracy. This clever graphic feature quietly reminds the company of its emphasis on speedy, dependable delivery. Once you notice it, you can’t help but see it!

2. The Number 57 on Heinz Bottles

Image from The Kraft Heinz Company - Press Releases Image from The Kraft Heinz Company - Press Releases

You’ve probably noticed the “57” on Heinz ketchup bottles, but it’s more than a random number. It refers to their original slogan, “57 varieties,” though they were already producing more than that. Interestingly, tapping the “57” embossed on the bottle’s neck helps the ketchup flow faster!

3. The Hidden Bear in Toblerone

Image from Pangasinan Flower Shop Image from Pangasinan Flower Shop

Toblerone chocolates hail from Bern, Switzerland, or the “City of Bears.” If you look carefully at the mountain emblem, you’ll find a bear concealed inside it, representing the city’s heritage. It’s a sugary nod contained in every morsel.

4. The Bluetooth Symbol

Image from Wikipedia Image from Wikipedia

The Bluetooth logo is actually two of the ancient Nordic runes, Hagall (ᚼ) and Bjarkan (ᛒ), for the initials of King Harald Bluetooth. He united Denmark and Norway—similar to how Bluetooth technology links devices. It’s a reference to history camouflaged in your devices!

5. The Power Button Symbol

Image from Creative Bloq Image from Creative Bloq

The global power button symbol is a combination of the binary 1 and 0, signifying “on” and “off.” It has its roots in the beginnings of computing, when binary coding was necessary. It’s a tiny nod to the digital language that drives life today.

6. The Apple Logo Bite

Image from 1000 Logos Image from 1000 Logos

The Apple logo, featuring a simple, bitten apple, symbolizes knowledge and discovery, often linked to the biblical story of Adam and Eve and the pursuit of knowledge. The bite in the apple distinguishes it from other fruits and subtly represents a “byte” connecting to computing. Its minimalist design reflects Apple’s philosophy of simplicity, innovation, and user-friendly technology.

Image from Wikipedia Image from Wikipedia

NBC’s brightly colored logo is more than cosmetic—it’s in the shape of a peacock. This early 1950s design reflected the network’s transition to color television, and the peacock’s “proud” stance invited viewers to accept this new technology. Today, it’s a permanent symbol of innovation.

Image from Hatchwise Image from Hatchwise

The Amazon logo has an arrow that runs from the “A” to the “Z,” representing that the company offers all products from A to Z. The arrow is also a small smile, signifying customer happiness. It’s a design that subtly says it all.

Image from global.toyota Image from global.toyota

At first look, Toyota’s logo appears to be three overlapping ovals, but it’s actually more complex than that. The ovals form the letters “T” for Toyota and represent the customer’s and company’s heart together. It also cleverly includes all the letters of “Toyota” in its design.

Image from Forbes Image from Forbes

Mastercard’s red and yellow circles represent two hands uniting, symbolizing trust and partnership. The area where they overlap is orange, representing the common experience shared by the company with its consumers. It is a graphic representation of connection and unity.

Image from Wikipedia Image from Wikipedia

Curiously, the “n” in “Eleven” is in lowercase, disrupting the flow of the logo. Why? The founder thought it made the logo more friendly and inviting. It’s a tiny but deliberate design move aiming for customer psychology.

Image from Creative Bloq Image from Creative Bloq

The Tour de France logo is not merely text—it secretly conceals a cyclist. The “R” is the body, and the two neighboring “O” s turn into wheels. This kinetic design embodies the race’s energy and movement.

Written by: Alyana Aguja

Alyana is a Creative Writing graduate with a lifelong passion for storytelling, sparked by her father’s love of books. She’s been writing seriously for five years, fueled by encouragement from teachers and peers. Alyana finds inspiration in all forms of art, from films by directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and Quentin Tarantino to her favorite TV shows like Mad Men and Modern Family. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her immersed in books, music, or painting, always chasing her next creative spark.

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