Aboriginal symbols can be a meaningful starting point for classroom conversations about art, story, Country and culture. They are not, however, a single visual language shared by all Aboriginal peoples. Meanings and ways of using symbols can differ between communities, artists and contexts. The best place to start is with the story and the person behind the work.
Begin with people and place
Before asking students to interpret a symbol, introduce the artist or storyteller where that information is available. Which community are they from? What have they chosen to share about the artwork? If you can, connect your learning with local Aboriginal educators, organisations or community-approved resources. Follow their guidance about what is appropriate to teach and share.
Look, ask and listen
Choose a published book or artwork by an Aboriginal creator and invite students to notice shapes, colours and patterns. Ask open questions: What do you notice? What does the creator say about this work? What would we need to know before deciding what a mark means? This helps children practise curiosity without treating a symbol chart as a universal dictionary.
Make space for respectful creativity
Students can make their own artworks about places and experiences that matter to them, using their own visual ideas. Avoid asking them to reproduce culturally significant designs or present their work as Aboriginal art. If a resource includes suggested activities, check that it identifies its creator and provides clear cultural context.
Try these classroom resources
Use resources as prompts for discussion, not as a universal key to interpreting Aboriginal art. Aboriginal Symbol Cards can help start a conversation about the meanings presented by the resource's creator. For a playful matching activity, try the Aboriginal Symbol Domino Game. The Aboriginal Symbols Tracing Tray offers a hands-on way to explore marks and shapes. Check each resource's accompanying guidance and connect activities back to the communities and creators represented.
Keep learning
One lesson cannot represent the diversity of Aboriginal cultures. Return to books and resources created by Aboriginal people throughout the year, and revisit what students have learned as their understanding grows. A thoughtful question and a willingness to listen are better starting points than a quick answer about what a symbol “always” means.