Symbols in the Kingdom Hearts universe

There are a great number of symbols that are encountered throughout the Kingdom Hearts universe. While some hold great meaning and are a recurring theme through the series, some are found exclusively in the strategy guides or other media.

The following list details these symbols, their significance, and appearances throughout the series.

Mickey Emblem

Mickey Emblem
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash

The Mickey Emblem, also known as the Hidden Mickey, is a silhouette of Mickey Mouse's head. The Mickey Emblem is used in various worlds and on many items, most Disney related but with a few exceptions.

• Used as a symbol in the series:
  • Many hidden symbols in various worlds, including Disney Castle, Disney Town, and Keyblade Graveyard.
  • Keychain for Kingdom Key, Kingdom Key D, Victory Line, and Zero/One.
  • Appears on the Dream Weapons and the Knight's Shield.
  • The icon for the Gimmick Card.
  • Appears in the Kingdom Hearts version of Trinity Limit.
  • Appears on a type of token in Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash.
  • Appears as an icon next to completed entries in Jiminy's Journal, D-Report, Debug Reports, and Trinity Report.
  • Used as one of the images in Decal Skins.
  • Scattered around in the title screen of Kingdom Hearts Re:coded.

Crown

Crown
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash

One of the series's titular symbols, a Crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honor and glory of life after death.

Crowns also may be in the form of a wreath and be made of, flowers, oak leaves or thorns and be worn by others, representing what the coronation part aims to symbolize with the specific crown. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to those on Earth by angels. In religious art, a crown of stars is used similarly to a halo.

• Used as a symbol:
  • Sora's necklace.
  • The keychain hanging off Sora's belt
  • Achievements crowns in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.
  • Puzzle Pieces.
  • Mission Crowns.
  • The Sticker Album.
  • Part of the game logo of Kingdom Hearts.
  • Underneath Sora, each time he unlocks a gateway to a new world in Kingdom Hearts II.
  • On the ground of the Station of Serenity (background for this page)
  • Sora's and Roxas's Awakenings.
  • Part of Xemnas Armored Controller form, and No Heart armor.
  • One of Naminé's drawings.
  • Keychain token of Oblivion.
  • Various accessories, like the Gold Ring.
  • Save the King.
  • The cover of Jiminy's Journal.
  • Various cards, like all of the World Cards.
  • Limit Form token and Final Form in Halloween Town.
  • Kingdom Key and Kingdom Key D's teeth.
  • The teeth of the crossed Kingdom Keys on the X-blade.
  • Appears on a type of token in Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash.
  • Used for the magic slots in Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash.
  • Used as one of the images in Decal Skins.
  • The bottom of Sora's shoes in Kingdom Hearts II.
  • On the winner stick Roxas obtained, and later left for Axel in Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days.
  • Fade in/fade out symbol for Radiant Garden.
  • A building on the Disney Castle's world image from Kingdom Hearts.
  • Scattered around on the title screen for Kingdom Hearts: Re:Coded.

Heart

Heart
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash

The Heart is the one of the central plot elements and eponymous for the series title. While not associated with any group, it is mostly associated with a complete being, and variations of it are usually found as the symbol of incomplete creatures. A heart is usually associated with love, feelings, memories and emotions.

• Used as a symbol:
  • Kingdom Hearts (world).
  • All the game logos.
  • The World That Never Was fade out/in symbol.
  • Limit Form in Halloween Town.
  • Trinity symbols.
  • Back side of every card.
  • The Key of Guidance map card.
  • Various Keyblades like Ultima Weapon.
  • Save the Queen.
  • The Queen of Hearts.
  • Card Soldiers.
  • Appears on a type of token in Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash.
  • When starting a battle in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories.
  • Loading screen on Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 3D.
  • On the uniforms of the Radiant Garden castle guards, Dilan and Aeleus.
  • Power gauge of the Hunny Pot minigame in 100 Acre Wood in Kingdom Hearts II.
  • Scattered around on the title screen for Kingdom Hearts: Re:Coded.

Key

Key
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash

The Key symbol is used to symbolize the Keyblade and how the Keyblade can lock and unlock certain things just as a key would.

• Used as a symbol:
  • The Connection's Proof.
  • The Key of Beginnings map card.
  • The Keyblade Graveyard.
  • The Keyblade.
  • Appears on a type of token in Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash.
  • The Attack button in the Battle Menu

Keyhole

Keyhole
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded

The Keyhole symbol is used for the Keyhole of a world or a gate to a new world. The Keyhole symbolizes the unlocking of new paths while closing off paths already taken.

• Used as a symbol:
  • Traverse Town: 2nd District Fountain.
  • Wonderland: Doorknob's mouth.
  • Olympus Coliseum: Behind the pedestal.
  • Deep Jungle: Cavern of Hearts.
  • Agrabah: Lamp Chamber.
  • Atlantica: Ariel's Grotto.
  • Halloween Town: Under Oogie's Manor.
  • Neverland: Clocktower.
  • Hollow Bastion: The Dark Depths inside the Grand Hall.
  • Land of Departure: Throne Room.
  • Twilight Town: Fade in/out symbol.

Keyblade Master symbol

Keyblade Master Symbol
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

This symbol is used to identify those who have achieved Keyblade Mastery. The color depends on the rank the Keyblade Master is. This is very similar to an upside-down Nobody symbol, which is because Xehanort referenced this for the Nobody Symbol.

• Used as a symbol:
  • Terra, Ventus, Aqua, and Master Eraqus all wear it on their outfit.
  • Used on Ventus's Awakening.
  • Keychain for Master Keeper.
  • Chamber of Waking
  • Are the centerpieces of Terra, Ventus, and Aqua's Wayfinders.

Recusant's Sigil

χ
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

χ (pronounced as "key" or "kye"), is a letter in the Greek Alphabet and used for the χ-blade. Master Xehanort was obsessed with obtaining the χ-blade, and his nobody Xemnas kept the fascination for the symbol χ, renaming it as the "Recusant's Sigil" and using it in not only his name but the names of all other Organization members. It reappears in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance as a large silver X across the front of Sora's shirt serving as Xehanort's method of keeping an eye on the boy.

The outfits of Terra, Aqua, and Ventus all are inspired and bear an "X" in their clothing^[1], though it doesn't appear to have served the same purpose of tracking their locations.

• Used as a symbol:
  • On the Keychain of the χ-blade, two Keyblades cross diagonally to reference χ's shape.

Wayfinder

Wayfinder
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded, Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-

A Wayfinder (also known as a lucky charm until Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep), is a recurring symbol throughout the entire series. Wayfinders are originally designed after the Paopu Fruit from Destiny Islands which is said to tie friends together. Although Wayfinders are normally made from Thalassa Shells, as this is a rare material many people substitute Thalassa Shells with something else.

• Used as a symbol:
  • Used in Dive to the Heart.
  • Keychain for Brightcrest and Oathkeeper.

Heartless Emblem

Heartless Emblem
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash

This symbol, that of the Heartless's Emblem, is in the shape of a crossed heart and is used for the Heartless in general. It is specifically seen branded onto the Emblem Heartless.

• Used as a symbol:
  • Represents Riku to an extent.
  • One of Naminé's drawings.
  • Appears on various weapons like Way to the Dawn, most Mushroom weapons including Winner's Proof, and Akashic Record.
  • The Key to Truth map card.
  • Extremely similar to the Keychain of the χ-blade.
  • Appears on a type of token in Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash.
  • Appears on Ansem, The Seeker of Darkness's Chest.
  • Appears somewhere on nearly all Heartless
  • Used as a pallette color in Decal Skins.

Nobody Emblem

Nobody Emblem
Found in	Chain of Memories Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Kingdom Hearts II Kingdom Hearts coded Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash

The Nobody Emblem marks every single Nobody and is used to symbolize Organization XIII. The symbol's shape is similar to an upside down Heartless Emblem.

• Used as a symbol:
  • One of Naminé's drawings.
  • The Non-existent Proof.
  • Unity Badge and Ordeal Badge.
  • Challenge Sigil.
  • Appears in the Keyblade Two Become One.
  • Appears on the accessories Full Bloom and Shade Archive as well as their upgrades.
  • Appears on a type of token in Kingdom Hearts Magic Puzzle Clash.
  • Scattered aroud on the title screen for Kingdom Hearts: Re:Coded.
  • Appears as the loading screen and as the icon for the Zero Gear in Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days.

Unversed Emblem

Unversed Emblem
Found in	Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

The Unversed Emblem is seen on every Unversed, excluding the Flood. It also represents Vanitas.

• Used as a symbol:
  • Used on Ventus's and Vanitas's fused awakening.
  • Emblazoned on the Vanitas Remnant's helmet.

Dream Eater Emblem

Dream Eater Emblem
Found in	Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance Kingdom Hearts χ

The Dream Eater Emblem is a logo seen on Dream Eaters in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. There are two versions of the emblem, one is for the Spirits (allies) and the other is for the Nightmares (enemies).

• Used as a symbol (Spirit)
  • On the back of Riku's outfit in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

• Used as a symbol (Nightmare)
  • On the helmet of Armored Ventus Nightmare in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.

Organization XIII weapon symbols

Trinities

Ultimania-only character symbols

World symbols

Spell Circles

Board Game Pieces

Inside the main citadel of Scala ad Caelum, two young apprentice Keyblade Masters, Xehanort and Eraqus in their youth, play a board game similar to chess: Xehanort uses black and gold pawns, for the Thirteen Seekers of Darkness ; Eraqus uses white and silver pawns for the Seven Guardians of Light and the Dandelions. After the defeat of Xehanort against Eraqus, the latter proposes a new game in which are staged: seven black and gold pawns, for Luxu/Xigbar and the Foretellers ; a single white and silver pawn, for Sora.

Among the Seven Guardians of Light, we can recognize:

• Sora, represented by the crown-shaped symbol of his pendant
• Riku, represented by the Keychain of his Keyblade Way to the Dawn
• Kairi represented a star, symbol of her Wayfinder
• King Mickey, represented by his "royal seal"
• Terra, represented by the Keychain of his Keyblade Ends of the Earth
• Aqua, represented by the Keychain of her Keyblade Stormfall
• Ventus, represented by the Keychain of his Keyblade Wayward Wind

Among the Additionnal Guardians of Light we also know:

• Lea, represented by the Keychain of his Keyblade, Flame Liberator
• Roxas, represented by his zipper pull
• Xion, represented by a Thalassa Shell
• Donald, represented by the upper half of his staff Mage's Staff
• Goofy, represented by his shield Knight's Shield
• Naminé, represented by the pattern of flowers that decorate her sandals
• Master Eraqus, represented by the Keychain of his Keyblade, Master Keeper

Among the Thirteen Seekers of Darkness, one can recognize:

• Master Xehanort, represented by the goat's head that adorns his Keyblade, The Gazing Eye
• Ansem, Seeker of Darkness, represented by the head of his Guardian
• Xemnas, represented by his two Ethereal Blades Interdiction forming a cross
• Xigbar, represented by a Arrowgun similar to those he used as Braig
• Saïx, represented by the Sun and the Moon superimposed in eclipse, similar to his Claymore Lunatic
• Young Xehanort, represented by an hourglass, the Keychain of his Keyblade
• Marluxia, represented by a six-petal flower
• Vanitas, represented by the Keychain of his Keyblade Void Gear
• Larxene, represented by four of her eight knives Foudre forming a fan
• Demyx, represented by a symbol similar to his Sitar Arpeggio
• Vexen, represented by a similar symbol at the top of his shield Frozen Pride
• Luxord, represented by two die of different sizes.
• Dark Riku, represented by a symbol similar to the head of Xehanort's Guardian.

Among the Additionnal Seekers of Darkness we also know:

• Terra-Xehanort, represented by the Keychain of Terra's Keyblade Ends of the Earth

As for the Dandelions, they are all represented by the Keychain of Starlight, their basic Keyblade. And the Foretellers are represented by the symbols of their respective Unions :

• The Unicorn for Ira
• The Bear for Aced
• The Cobra for Invi
• The Fox for Ava
• The Leopard for Gula
• The Goat for Luxu
• There is also the symbol adorning the cover of the Book of Prophecies, hands we do not know yet who it is supposed to represent ...

Other symbols

Notes and References