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A photo of a bronze bird with a red gem for an eye set against a yellow dotted background with a green halo. — Secret signs and symbols V&A hero

Secret signs and symbols quiz

Here at the V&A, we have over 4.5 million objects! WHOA! Many of them have symbolic meanings either carved, embroidered, painted or cast in. We’ve selected just six for you to guess the hidden message and what it represents. We bet you can get all six correct! Let’s play now!

Okay – here is Tipu’s Tiger, one of the most famous V&A objects! What did the tiger motif primarily symbolise for Tipu Sultan?

A photo of Tippoo's Tiger showing a tiger on top of a British soldier mauling him with an exposed organ in the side of his orange and black striped body. They are atop of a grey block against a black background. — Tippoo’s Tiger V&A

A: The ruler’s strength and ferocity B: His peaceful alliance with Britain C: Fear and rescilience D: Nothing, he just liked tigers

The Ardabil Carpet was made in the 16th century – mega old! But, can you tell us what the two hanging lamps either side mean?

A photo of a carpet with a circular pattern in the centre and two hanging lamps either side in colours of golds, browns, creams and reds. — The Ardabil Carpet

A: The sun and moon as symbols of eternity B: Its original sacred shrine setting C: Expelliamus! D: Lamps that most people owned in their homes

This beautiful bird box once owned by a Burmese King has a special meaning – what is it?

A photo of a gold and jewelled box in the shape of a bird stood on a plinth with blue borders either aside. — V&A Betel box

A: The messenger of the monarchy and the power of the king B: The unification of agricultural harvest and fertility C: Family is important and should stick together D: A reminder that you can fly away at any moment

This beautiful evening coat by Elsa Schiaparelli (1937), embroidered by Jean Cocteau shows a vase with roses and two faces on the back – what do they symbolise?

A: Unity of opposites / duality in surrealist art B: Just how wonderful roses are C: Human connection and love D: Beauty and fragility

Red and gold carries a special meaning in Hindu weddings – do you know what it is?

A photograph of some red and gold sari shoes made in 1989 against a grey background — Sari shoes V&A

A: Red symbolises power and gold is beauty B: Red symbolises anger and gold is greed C: Red symbolises roses and gold is corn D: Red symbolises love and fertily and gold is prosperity and wealth

This lion water jug also means something else – what is it?

A photo of bronze jug in the shape of a lion with it's tail as the handle. It is stood on all fours with it's tongue sticking out against a white background. — Lion Aquamanile V&A

A: The lion also symbolises Christ in Christianity B: The lion means power C: The lion symbolises health D: The lion symbolises food

Are you ready to get your results?

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