The Symbol

The Symbol
The Symbol
First appearance:	Don't Look Back

A frequently appearing symbol is somehow linked to evolved humans.

List of Appearances

The Symbol is found:

• On the cover of 9th Wonders! comic book, Issue #5, by Isaac Mendez.
• Twice on the cover of the 9th Wonders! comic book (Issue #14) that Hiro found when he teleported to New York City. (Don't Look Back)
• On a post-it note on Chandra Suresh's map. (Don't Look Back)
• Written on a textbook owned by Claire Bennet. (Don't Look Back)
• On a drawing done by Peter Petrelli. (Don't Look Back)
• On many future paintings by Isaac Mendez. (Don't Look Back)
• As a recurring shape shown in a genetic profiling program created by Chandra Suresh.(Don't Look Back)
• In the swimming pool at a crime scene that Matt Parkman was investigating. (Don't Look Back)
• On the front cover of Activating Evolution by Chandra Suresh. (One Giant Leap)
• Drawn on a newspaper clipping featuring Nathan, found in Sylar's apartment. (One Giant Leap)
• On the necklace of The Haitian who works with Mr. Bennet. (One Giant Leap)
• As a symbol on Future Hiro's katana. (Hiros)
• As a tattoo on Jessica's right shoulder blade. (Collision, Hiros, Fallout)
• In the underlayer of a painting that was thought to be of Niki Sanders, but revealed to be of her alter ego. (Better Halves)
• On a post-it note in Sanjog's file. (Seven Minutes to Midnight)
• On a "Greyhound Bus Stop" sign in Utah. (Homecoming)
• On the hilt of a sword displayed in the Museum of Natural History. (Godsend)
• As a wood formation in the tank of the lizard named Mohinder. (Godsend)
• Possibly in one of Claude's pickpocketing victim's pasta. (Godsend)

Gallery of Appearances

The Symbol is found:

• 
  On the cover of 9th Wonders!, Issue #5, by Isaac Mendez.
• 
  In a notebook on a desk at Chandra's apartment in Brooklyn (from an unaired scene of Genesis).
• 
  Twice on the cover of 9th Wonders!, Issue #14.
• 
  On Chandra's map, in his Brooklyn apartment.
• 
  Drawn on Claire Bennet's geometry textbook.
• 
  Portrayed on Peter Petrelli's precognitive picture.
• 
  On one of Isaac Mendez's many paintings.
• 
  As dashes, scrolling on the algorithm.
• 
  In the pool at the Walker murder scene.
• 
  On the cover of Activating Evolution, by Chandra Suresh.
• 
  Drawn on a newspaper clipping of Nathan Petrelli, found on the map in Sylar's apartment
• 
  On a pendant on the Haitian's necklace.
• 
  Designed on the hilt of Future Hiro's katana.
• 
  On Jessica's shoulder, as captured on video.
• 
  Uncovered on a prophetic painting of Niki's alter ego.
• 
  On a Post-it note in Sanjog's file.
• 
  At a Greyhound bus stop in Utah at which Micah was waiting.
• 
  On the hilt of the replica of Takezo Kensei's sword.
• 
  As a wood formation in the tank of the lizard named Mohinder.
• 
  In a plate of pasta being eaten by one of Claude's pickpocketing victims.

Ando's Explanation

When Hiro locates his katana in a New York City museum, Ando believes that the Symbol is actually a combination of two Japanese characters — sai (which translates to great talent or greatest gift) and yo (which translates to godsend). (Godsend)

• 
  Ando notices this character, yo, in a symbol on the hilt of Takezo Kensai's sword.
• 
  The Japanese kanji character yo translates to godsend.
• 
  The Japanese kanji character sai translates to great talent.
• 
  The two characters may combine to resemble the Symbol.

Notes

• An unaired scene of Genesis shows the symbol in a notebook on a desk at Chandra's apartment in Brooklyn.
• The Symbol strongly resembles a stylized RNA strand.
• In an interview, writers Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite call Isaac's paintings of the symbol "helix paintings".

Trivia

• When the shot zooms in on the symbol on the hilt of the replica sword in the Museum, the symbol is reversed.