Decoding Symbols in Money Games: Cultural Messages in Modern Designs

Slot machines are more than lights and luck. Every spin reveals images we know by heart—cherries, sevens, bells, diamonds. But have you ever stopped to ask why these symbols exist? Where did they come from? What do they mean? 20Bet’s official EPL stats & analytics explain the history of these images and the meanings behind them.

A Quick Look Back: Origins of Slot Imagery

Let’s rewind to the late 1800s. The first slot machine—called the Liberty Bell—featured horseshoes, spades, hearts, diamonds, and that famous bell. These weren’t random. They reflected the popular imagery of the time.

As gambling laws changed, some machines paid out in fruit-flavored gum instead of cash. That’s when cherries, lemons, and plums entered the scene. Symbols were used to sidestep gambling laws. But over time, they became icons.

Fruit Symbols: More Than Just a Sweet Spin

Cherries. Lemons. Watermelons. These aren’t just tasty. They’re tied to a loophole. When payouts had to be non-cash, slot makers used fruit to signal what kind of gum you’d win. But there’s more. In many cultures, fruit is linked to abundance and fertility. A spin with juicy fruits hinted at prosperity. Today, we see cherries and think of “classic slots.” But it all began with gum and clever marketing.

Lucky Number Seven: A Global Fascination

Why do so many slots feature the number 7? Because seven is lucky—everywhere.

• In Christianity, it’s divine perfection.
• In Japan, it brings good fortune (think “Shichi-Fuku-Jin,” the seven gods of luck).
• In gambling? Triple sevens often mean a jackpot.

The number taps into something primal. Players feel like the universe is on their side when sevens align.

The Bell That Started It All

The Liberty Bell wasn’t just the name of the first slot machine. It was also one of its most important symbols. In the U.S., the bell represents freedom and independence. Naming a machine after it was a bold move. Every time a player sees that bell, it evokes pride, nostalgia, and the thrill of American invention.

Wild Symbols and Animal Power

Modern slots are full of animals. Wolves. Tigers. Eagles. Dragons. These aren’t random picks. Animals have deep cultural ties:

• Wolves = guardianship and instinct
• Tigers = strength and courage (especially in Asian cultures)
• Dragons = wealth, power, and protection

When you hit a “wild” animal symbol, it often means the symbol can substitute for others—just like these creatures adapt and survive. It’s a perfect metaphor.

Bar Symbols: What’s With the Stripes?

You’ve seen the BAR symbol, but do you know where it comes from? It began with the Bell-Fruit Gum Company. Their logo, a stylized bar, was used on machines that paid out gum.

Over time, that symbol became “BAR.” Now it shows up in singles, doubles, and triples. It’s one of the few slot symbols based on a brand that survived the century.

Scatters and Bonus Symbols: Modern Magic

Today’s slots include bonus features—free spins, wild reels, and mini-games. These are usually triggered by scatter symbols. Scatters don’t follow the rules. They land wherever they want. They represent chaos, luck, and potential.

Some designers theme them around mystical objects—crystals, treasure maps, golden coins. All items tied to fantasy and fortune. They’re little invitations: “Come explore. Something cool might happen.”

Cultural Themes Shape Modern Slot Worlds

Modern slots don’t just spin symbols. They spin worlds. Egyptian pyramids. Chinese temples. Aztec jungles. Norse gods. These games blend mythology, history, and art. Each symbol holds meaning. For example:

• Ankh in Egyptian-themed slots = eternal life
• Gold coins in Asian slots = prosperity and tradition
• Viking runes = wisdom, fate, power

Slots become cultural experiences. Fast. Flashy. But still deeply rooted in something old.

The Role of Color in Symbol Psychology

Color matters. It speaks before the brain can read.

• Red triggers urgency, passion, and appetite.
• Gold signals wealth, success, and reward.
• Green brings calm, growth, and money.
• Blue hints at trust and cool logic.

Symbol colors aren’t accidental. They play on emotion, pulling you in before you even spin.

Hidden Symbolism in Classic and Digital Designs

Sometimes, symbols mean different things in different parts of the world. Designers know this. They tailor games to global audiences. In Western slots, you might see four-leaf clovers. In Eastern slots, lucky koi fish. Some symbols even change based on region:

• A cat waving (maneki-neko) is lucky in Japan.
• An elephant is sacred in India.
• A horseshoe might be turned up (or down) depending on tradition.

Symbols are universal—but also personal.

Why Players Feel Attached to Certain Symbols

Ever notice how some people always bet on the same machine? Or chase a specific combo? That’s emotional attachment. Players build memories around wins. Hit triple cherries once, and suddenly cherries feel lucky. See a golden lion before a bonus round? That lion becomes your “power symbol.” Designers use this psychology. Symbols become personal totems. They make players feel like fate has favorites.

Symbols Evolve With the Times

In the 1990s, slots went digital. Symbols got sharper. More detailed. More animated. Now, we have video slots with moving symbols, sound effects, and narrative arcs. A simple “7” can explode in fire. A bell can chime like a church tower. A wild symbol might morph into a roaring panther. The meaning deepens with motion and sound. It’s art in motion.

Slot Symbols as Modern Hieroglyphs

Think of slot symbols as modern-day hieroglyphs. Just like ancient Egyptians used symbols to tell stories, slot machines do the same. One look, and we know what a cherry means. Or a scatter. Or a jackpot. It’s a fast, visual language. Understood by millions. And just like with ancient symbols, each one carries layers of hidden meaning.