The Symbol

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

A frequently appearing symbol is somehow linked to evolved humans.

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.
  (Don't Look Back)
• 
  On Chandra's map, in his Brooklyn apartment.
  (Don't Look Back)
• 
  Drawn on Claire Bennet's geometry textbook.
  (Don't Look Back)
• 
  Portrayed on Peter Petrelli's precognitive picture.
  (Don't Look Back)
• 
  On one of Isaac Mendez's many paintings seen by Hiro in the future.
  (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 of Nathan Petrelli, found on the map in Sylar's apartment.
  (One Giant Leap)
• 
  Drawn on a photo pinned to the map in Sylar's apartment.
  (One Giant Leap)
• 
  Drawn on a photo pinned to the map in Sylar's apartment.
  (One Giant Leap)
• 
  Drawn on a photo pinned to the map in Sylar's apartment.
  (One Giant Leap)
• 
  On the necklace of The Haitian who works with Mr. Bennet.
  (One Giant Leap)
• 
  Designed on the hilt of Future Hiro's katana.
  (Hiros)
• 
  On Jessica's shoulder, as captured on video.
  (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)
• 
  At a Greyhound bus stop in Utah at which Micah was waiting.
  (Homecoming)
• 
  On the hilt of the replica of Takezo Kensei's sword.
  (Godsend)
• 
  * As a wood formation in the tank of the lizard named Mohinder.
  (Godsend)
• 
  In a plate of pasta being eaten by one of Claude's pickpocketing victims.
  (Godsend)
• 
  In the shards of glass from the broken display case when Sylar tossed Sandra Bennet into it. (closeup)
  (Distractions)

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".
• According to the message that Hana sent to all Heroes 360 ARG participants, "the helix" appeared on the Primatechpaper.com "About Us" page.

Trivia

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

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:The Symbol for fan-created theories and other speculation.