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)
• 
  In Thompson's office.
  (Company Man)
• 
  On the front door of the Bennets' home as Ted Sprague bombards it with radiation.
  (Company Man)
• 
  In the arrangement of some stones on the curator's table in Linderman's archives.
  (Parasite)

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.
• In the Company Man episode commentary, the Symbol is referred to as the "single helix".
• corinthianlasvegas.com lists Godsend as a painting in Linderman's archives. The painting is three white symbols, each on a yellow, red, or blue background.

Trivia

• When the shot zooms in on the symbol on the hilt of the replica sword in the Museum, the symbol is reversed. (Godsend) This may be due to the reverse side of the hilt being a mirror image of the other side.
• Counting repeat appearances like Jessica's tattoo, the Haitian's necklace, the algorithm, and the covers of 9th Wonders! and Activating Evolution, the Symbol has appeared in every episode except Genesis. However, the symbol did appear on Chandra's desk in a promotional image for Genesis.

Fan Theories

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