Depictions of Ewi (mudfish) are among the most frequent motifs in the Emwin Arhe (royal treasures). Mudfish hold an important place in Edo belief, both as representations of the god Olokun and as symbols of royalty (Plankensteiner 2007, p. 410), as well as of “prosperity, peace, well-being and fertility” (Ben-Amos 1976, p. 245). Mudfish are also particularly common animals for sacrifice, and mudfish-shaped Orhiẹvbẹ (kola-nut boxes) were used to make offerings or store kola nuts.

Yet, the appearance of Ewi across the Emwin Arhe is not consistent, and it has been argued that different species of mudfish were depicted by Edo artists, each with different qualities and capabilities. For example, the electric shock of Malapterurus electricus resembles the fierceness of the Ọba, while the liminal qualities of the Synodontis clarias mudfish, which lives both on land and in water, similarly reflect the Ọba’s rule over land and sea (Gallagher 1983, p. 93). With these different qualities in mind, the mudfish is an important symbol of Benin kingship and royalty.

Sometimes the Ọba was depicted by artists with mudfish rather than legs (see Ọba with Mudfish Legs).

The King’s Mark primarily refers to a marking carved on elephant tusks in the form of two serif ‘I’ letters placed side by side. The marks served as a clear declaration of the royal court’s ownership of these tusks and underscored the Ọba’s key role in controlling trade relations, especially concerning ivory (Eisenhofer in Plankensteiner 2007, cat. no. 37, p. 297). Historically, the Ọba held a near monopoly on ivory, being entitled to one tusk from every elephant slain within the kingdom (Plankensteiner 2007, p. 293). This established ivory as a direct symbol of the Ọba’s power and wealth.

Uman-ague is a badge in the form of an equal-armed cross. The cross with straight-sided arms is known as the “Greek cross,” while the type with V-shaped arms, narrowing toward the centre, is known as the “Maltese cross.”

Uman-ague is usually worn around the neck by members of the Ewua or by the Ohensa ( ). The equal-armed cross has various meanings: as a symbol of cosmic order, it represents the number four and references the “four cardinal points established by the High God Osanobua when he created the world” (Girshick Ben-Amos 1999, p. 64), as well as the “crossroads or junction that serves as the point of connection between the natural and spiritual worlds” ( ). Paula Girshick Ben-Amos ( ) also argues that when used on the Aken'ni Elao (altar tusk), the cross, together with the Ivie okpagbaru (royal bead), constitutes an “emblematic reference” to Ọba Ẹsigie.

The cross also references the Portuguese missionaries who brought Christianity to the Kingdom during the reign of Ọba Ẹsigie, although the symbol was already in use before the arrival of Europeans ( ). The Maltese cross is thought to have been introduced by Ọba Eresonyẹn as part of his efforts to encourage the worship of the High God Osanobua during his reign ( ; ). Regardless, Uman-ague is often associated with Ọba Ẹsigie.

The fist motif—particularly a clenched fist with an extended thumb—carries significant symbolic weight. It is central to the cult of the hand, a major aspect of Edo religion that focuses on an individual’s ability to achieve success through their own actions, skills, and enterprise ( ). This cult is primarily observed by those who have already attained considerable wealth or status, including hunters, warriors, and craftsmen.

The fist symbolises physical prowess and strength, denoting the individual’s might and accomplishment ( ). The hand is credited with enabling the accumulation of great riches and high status. This is sometimes linked to the idea that wealth results from both personal effort and the favour of Olokun, the god of wealth. On Ukhurhẹ (ancestral staffs), a clenched fist or hand grasping a mudfish signifies royal or chiefly authority. The image of a hand holding a coiled mudfish can also illustrate the Ọba’s formidable power to “cast and then release a curse” or to “set up obstacles and remove them” ( ). The fist is sometimes accompanied by other motifs symbolising strength, chieftaincy, and longevity, such as tools like the hammer and pliers or feathers of the vulturine fish eagle ( ). The fist motif is frequently depicted on Aken'ni Elao (carved tusks), on wooden Ikẹgobọ (altars to the hand), and on Ukhurhẹ.