What Are the Symbols of Lilith & What Do They Mean?

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Astrologer Paige Ferris goes over Lilith’s most common symbols

Co-authored by Paige Ferris and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: May 20, 2026 Fact Checked

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Lilith’s Primary Symbol

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Alternative Symbols

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Who is Lilith?

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What does Lilith symbolize?

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What is Lilith in astrology?

Lilith is a popular (but controversial) figure in religion and mythology…but what does she really represent, and what sort of symbols is she represented by? We’ll dive deep into the murky waters around this folkloric wife of Adam, who has since been reimagined as a frightening demoness, an empowering feminist figure, and even a placement in your astrological birth chart! From her iconic glyph to other symbols that represent her story and influence, keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the Black Moon Lilith and the Mother of Demons, with insights from astrologer Paige Ferris.

Lilith Symbols: At a Glance

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Illustrations of various symbols that represent Lilith.

Astrologer Paige Ferris says the most common symbol for Lilith is her glyph, which is a crescent moon atop a cross. Other Lilith symbols include:

Lotus: Symbolizes Lilith’s spiritual rebirth out of shame and demonization.
Owl: References early depictions of Lilith as a winged figure.
Serpent: Symbolizes Lilith’s origin story, rebellion, and transformation.
Dark Moon: Represents the “new moon” and Lilith’s empowerment.
Grand Seal: Combines several Liilith symbols and represents autonomy.

Section 1 of 5:

The Main Lilith Symbol

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The most common Lilith symbol is a black crescent moon atop a cross. This symbol is known as Lilith’s Glyph, says Ferris.^{[1]
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Paige Ferris
Astrologer

Expert Interview} It’s the primary symbol associated with Lilith in mythology, spirituality, and astrology. The design of the cross is thought to combine Lilith’s role as the first wife of Adam (represented by the cross) with her status as a demoness or dark goddess in modern paganism and mythology (represented by the crescent moon).^{[2]
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- The glyph can be used to represent all of the things that Lilith symbolizes, including rebellion, power, independence, and femininity.
- This symbol is also used to represent the Black Moon Lilith in astrology, which is a location on the birth chart that represents where the Moon is when it’s furthest away from the Earth.^{[3]
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Meet the wikiHow Expert

Paige Ferris is an astrologer, tarot reader, and intuitive psychic with 6+ years of experience. She’s the founder of Catalyst Healer, and specializes in practical occultism and psychological astrology.

Section 2 of 5:

Other Symbols of Lilith

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Serpent A serpent or snake symbol is often used to represent Lilith, Ferris says, which correlates to the rising of Lilith’s hidden, dormant, and primal energy.^{[4]
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Paige Ferris
Astrologer

Expert Interview} The serpent also connects Lilith to Jewish and Biblical folklore. In some texts, Lilith is the serpent that tempted Eve and prompted the fall from Eden. However, in more modern interpretations of Lilith’s role, she represents forbidden knowledge, female independence, rebellion, and transformative change.^{[5]
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- Serpents also shed their skins in an act of transformation and rebirth, and they are also common symbols of freedom, uncontrolled sensuality, and defiance.
The connection between owls and the figure of Lilith was born out of ancient Mesopotamian art, which was believed to depict Lilith as a winged female figure with bird-like feet who was flanked by two owls. This depiction led scholars to believe that owls were the early symbols or companions of Lilith, which would tie in with her mythical rule over nighttime and darkness.^{[6]
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Research source} The name “Lilith” also means “of the night,” “night demon,” or “wind spirit,” all of which could be connected to the nocturnal owl.^{[7]
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The lotus is the flower most associated with Lilith, mainly because it symbolizes a spiritual rebirth (or blossoming) out of a place of darkness. Similarly, Lilith represents a spiritual awakening, particularly for women who’ve lost their independence or autonomy. This is largely due to Lilith’s own journey from being a shamed, purportedly “evil” woman to a feared demonic figure to a beloved symbol of feminine power.^{[8]
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The dark moon or black moon symbol is connected to Lilith and correlates to the “new moon” phase of the moon cycle, says Ferris.^{[9]
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Paige Ferris
Astrologer

Expert Interview} It represents Lilith’s role in astrology and her place on astrological birth charts. However, the dark moon is also a popular Wiccan or occult symbol that spiritually represents Lilith, as it shares her symbolism of rebellion, empowerment, and creativity.
The Grand Seal of Lilith is an emblem that includes several different versions of Lilith’s sigil. Lilith’s various sigils come from different areas of her mythology, including astrological glyphs, ancient artworks, and modern reinterpretations. All of the most important and recognized seals are brought together in a single design, known as the Grand Seal of Lilith. As a unified symbol, the Grand Seal represents ultimate rebellion, desire, and autonomy over oneself.

Section 3 of 5:

Who is Lilith?

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Lilith was Adam’s first wife, who became a demoness-goddess figure. Lilith is an important figure in Jewish folklore, where she’s described as Adam’s first wife who was created from dust as his equal. When Lilith refused to be subservient to Adam, she was banished from Eden and replaced with the more pliable Eve (read more about the differences between Eve and Lilith!). After fleeing Eden, she was said to become a cursed demoness who’d roam the Earth at night and attack newborn infants.^{[10]
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- In modern interpretations, however, Lilith’s story has been largely redeemed. She’s viewed as a powerful goddess who chose empowerment and equality over diminishing her own power and worth.

Section 4 of 5:

What is the spiritual significance of Lilith?

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Lilith commonly symbolizes independence, feminine power, and rebellion. Specifically, she represents a rebellion against patriarchal structures or misogynistic attitudes. This specific significance of Lilith is a fairly recent one, as modern ideologies have shed a different perspective on her story (which entails being banished from Eden for refusing to submit to a man). While this decision was traditionally used to shame or scorn Lilith, it’s now used to celebrate her as a spiritual symbol for autonomy, wildness, and the feminine divine.^{[11]
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- That being said, she’s still often depicted as a demoness in Jewish mysticism. But her qualities as a demoness are not necessarily negative, as they’re often used to embody darkness, sensuality, chaos, and resistance against oppressive structures.

Section 5 of 5:

What does Lilith mean in astrology?

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In astrology, Lilith represents your hidden or shadow self. The Black Moon Lilith, specifically, represents the part of your personality that you might hide due to societal shame. For example, your Black Moon Lilith might influence your most untamed or primal instincts, especially when it comes to sexuality, power, independence, or suppressed desires. This is an area of your birth chart where you might feel a lot of shame or insecurity, but it can also be an area of great individuality and empowerment.^{[12]
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- How do I find my Black Moon Lilith placement? To find your Black Moon Lilith, enter your birth date, time, and location into a Black Moon Lilith calculator. Alternatively, you can generate your birth chart and look for “Black Moon Lilith” listed in the chart.