Tradition has it that Adinkra, a famous king of Gyaman now La Cote D'Ivoire, angered the Asantehene, Bonsu-Panin, bytrying to copy the Golden Stool. Adinkra was defeated and slain in an ensuing war.It has been suggusted that the art of Adinkra came from Gyaman.It is also significant that Adinkra means farewell or good-bye, hence the use of special cloth on funeral occasions (ayie),to say good-bye to the departed. "Adinkra aduru" (Adinkra Medicine), the stuff used in the stamping process, is prepared by boiling the bark of "Badie" together with iron slags. Originally the printing was done on the cotton piece lying on the ground. Today raised platforms with sack covering act as the printing table. The designs, cut on pieces of calabash with pieces of wood attached for handing, are dipped into the stuff, then stamped onto the cloth. Adinkra clothes are not meant to be washed.
The names and meanings of the symbols are in a local language called Twi (a language of a tribe called Akan), and translated into English.
Below are the symbols:

Funtunfunafu denkyem funafu won afuru bom nso worididi a na wo ko." Sharing one stomach yet they fight over food.

Odenkyem (crocodile) da nsuo mu nso ohome nsuo ne mframa. The crocodile lives in the water yet it breathes air, not water.

Bi-nka-bi. Obi nka obi (bite not one another). Avoid conflicts. Symbol of Unity.

Kramo-bone amma yanhu kramo-pa. We cannot tell a good mohammedan from a bad one. The fake and the genuine look alike because of hypocrisy.

Nsaa (a kind of blanket). Nea onim nsaa na oto nago.

Fofoo. Se die fofoo pe ne se gyinantwi abo bedie. What the fofoo plant wants is that the gyinantwi seeds should turn black. Symbol of jealousy.

Adinkra hene (Adinkra king). Chief of all the adinkra designs. Forms the basis of adinkera printing.

Dwanimen (Ram's horn). "Dwonnin ye asise a ode n'akorana na ennye ne mben." It is the heart and not the horns that leads a ram to bully.Concealment.

Mpuannum (Nkontimsofo o Puaa). Five tufts of hair. A traditionally fashionable hair style.

Hye wo nyhe (the one who burns you be not burned). Symbol of forgiveness. Turn the other cheek.

Nkonsonkonso (link or chain). We are linked in both life and death.Those who share common blood relations never break apart. Symbol of human relations.

Owuo Atwedie Baako Nfo (obiara bewu). All men climb the ladder of death.

Sepow (knife used in executions). This is thrust through the victims's cheeks to prevent his invoking a curse on the king.

Gyamu atiko. This is said to be the design shaved by Gyawu, a once Bantamahene.

Sankofa (return and fetch it). "SE wo werE fi na wosankofa a yenkyi." It is no taboo to return and fetch it when you forget. You can always undo your mistakes.

Keerapa (Musu yide). Good fortune sanctity. "Kerapa te se okera.Okyiri fi." Sanctity like a cat. Abhors filth. Symbol of sanctity and good fortune.

Fihankra (the circular house of complete house). This signifies safety or security in a home.

Nyame nwu na mawu. If Nyame (God) dies, then I may die. Perpetual existence.

Ohene niwa (in the king's eye). The king has many and nothing is hidden from him.

Akoma (the heart). "Nya akoma (take heart)." Have patience. Symbol of patience and endurance.

Biribi wo soro. "Nyame biribi wo soro na ma embeka mensa (God there is something in the heavens, let it reach me.)." A symbol of hope.

Nsoroma (a child of the heavens). "Obu Nyankon soroma te Nyame na onte neho so (A child of the Supreme Being I do not depend on myself. My illumination is only a reflection of His.)."

Krado - mmra krado (Seal of law and order). Symbolizing the authority of the court.

Kodee mowerewa (the talons of the eagle). This is said to be shaved on the heads of some court attendants.

Aya (the firn). This word also means 'I am not afraid of you.' A symbol of defiance.

Osrane ne nsoroma (moon and star). A symbol of faithfulness.

Nyame dua (an altar to the sky God). Altar, place of worship.