Across cultures, motherhood has been represented through symbols of protection, sacrifice, renewal and devotion. Throughout history, these motifs appeared in heraldry, literature, religious art and family crests, used to express the passing of life from one generation to the next.
For those considering an engraved signet ring to mark the arrival of a child, to honour a mother, or to create a piece that will be handed down, symbolism offers a rich starting point. Spring, with its associations of birth and renewal, has always been a natural moment for such commissions, and many of the most enduring maternal emblems are drawn from nature itself.
Come with us as we explore the symbols that have come to define motherhood.
The Pelican in Her Piety
One of the most powerful maternal symbols in European art is the pelican feeding her young with her own blood, known in heraldry as the “pelican in her piety”.
Medieval bestiaries described the pelican as reviving her chicks by wounding her own breast, and the image became a symbol of self-sacrifice and nurturing love. The motif appeared widely in church decoration and European heraldry, where it represented devotion, charity and parental care.
The emblem was famously worn by Queen Elizabeth I in the so-called Pelican Portrait, where the jewel on her breast symbolised her role as the protective mother of the nation.
The Bear
Across northern Europe, the bear has long symbolised courage and fierce protection. In folklore and heraldry, the she-bear in particular became a natural emblem of motherhood because of the animal’s well-known instinct to defend its young at all costs.
In Greek mythology, the nymph Callisto, a follower of Artemis, was transformed into a bear after giving birth to her son. According to the myth, mother and child were later placed in the sky as the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, linking the bear with motherhood, protection and the bond between parent and child.
The Wolf
Wolves are among the most enduring symbols of family loyalty. Living in tightly bonded packs, they have long represented protection and the instinct to nurture one’s own.
One of the most famous maternal images in history is the Capitoline Wolf, the she-wolf said to have nursed Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. The story made the wolf a lasting emblem, linking motherhood with the idea of founding a lineage.
The Beehive
Symbolising industry, order and the strength of family life, the beehive is also closely linked with motherhood.
A hive exists through the work of the queen bee, whose role as the centre of the colony made her a natural emblem of fertility and continuity. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the beehive appeared widely in domestic decoration as a symbol of the well-run household, representing the diligence and harmony through which family life is sustained.
The Pomegranate
The pomegranate has been a symbol of fertility and abundance since antiquity. In Greek and Roman mythology it was associated with life, death and renewal, while in later European art it became an emblem of fruitfulness and the continuation of the family line.
It was famously used by Catherine of Aragon as her personal badge, representing both her Spanish heritage and the idea of marriage and fertility. Because of its many seeds contained within a single fruit, the pomegranate has long stood for the richness of family life and the promise of future generations.
Lilies & Spring Flowers
Floral symbols have always been closely tied to motherhood, particularly those associated with spring. The lily, for example, has long represented purity and fertility, and became one of the most recognisable floral emblems in European heraldry in the form of the fleur-de-lis.
In Christian art the lily is linked with the Virgin Mary, reinforcing its association with motherhood and new life.
Other spring flowers, such as blossom, rosebuds or wildflowers, can be chosen for more personal reasons: a birth month, a shared memory, or simply the season in which a child arrived.
The Swan
Swans have long been associated with loyalty and lasting bonds. Because swans are believed to mate for life, they became a symbol of fidelity and family unity in both art and heraldry. Images of a swan with cygnets appear in decorative arts and coats of arms as emblems of protection, care and devotion to one’s young.
The Apple Tree
A long-standing symbol of fertility, nourishment and the continuation of the family line, the apple tree is a natural nod to motherhood. Apple trees appear throughout literature and traditional art as signs of inheritance and continuity, and were often planted to mark births or marriages, the growing tree reflecting the life of the household itself.
In European folklore, apple blossom represents new beginnings, while the fruit stands for abundance. The association reaches back to Greek mythology, where apples were linked with love, union and the promise of life, most famously in the story of the Hesperides, whose sacred golden apples, guarded by nymphs, were said to grant immortality.
The Elephant
Elephants are widely associated with wisdom and memory, but are also powerful symbols of motherhood. In medieval bestiaries, the illustrated books of animals popular in Europe from the 12th century onwards, elephants were described as gentle and faithful creatures, devoted to their mates and protective of their young.
The matriarchal structure of elephant herds, led by older females, further reinforces this idea, making them a lasting representation of maternal protection.
A Lasting Mark of Motherhood
Historically, signet rings carried marks of identity, lineage and belonging, and the symbols engraved on them were intended to last for generations.
When an engraved signet ring or pendant is created to honour motherhood, whether as a gift, a push present, or to mark the arrival of a child, the symbolism becomes part of that story.
A pelican for devotion, a bear for protection, a wolf for family, a nest for new beginnings, or a flower for spring and renewal. Each carries a meaning that will only deepen with time.
If you're feeling inspired, get in touch with one of our experts by emailing info@rebussignetrings.co.uk or book an appointment at our Hatton Garden workshop, or via Zoom, to begin your Rebus journey.
