How to Choose Symbols for Your Bookplate - Finding Ideas That Feel Personal
One of the biggest myths about designing a bookplate is that you have to know exactly what you want before talking to an illustrator.
You don't.
In fact, most people don't.
They usually arrive with scattered ideas.
A favorite place.
A beloved pet.
A memory from childhood.
A stack of books that's followed them through every home they've ever lived in.
None of those things look like a finished illustration.
But together, they're exactly where a meaningful bookplate begins.
This guide isn't about what different symbols mean.
If you're looking for that, I've already written a guide to Bookplate Symbols and Their Meanings.
This article is about something different.
It's about discovering which symbols already belong to your story.
Don't Start With Symbols
This might sound strange.
But I almost never begin by asking,
"Which animal do you want?"
Or,
"Do you prefer flowers or trees?"
Those questions usually come much later.
Instead, I ask about the person.
What do you enjoy reading?
Which places feel important?
What memories still make you smile years later?
Those answers naturally become visual ideas.
If we begin with a list of symbols, it's easy to choose something that looks beautiful.
If we begin with your story, it's much easier to create something that feels true.
Think About the Books You Love
Books often reveal more about us than we realize.
Not because of the stories themselves.
Because of what keeps drawing us back.
Someone who loves classic literature may imagine something completely different from someone whose shelves are filled with fantasy novels.
A history enthusiast may feel at home with traditional compositions.
A nature writer might imagine forests, birds, and wildflowers.
Someone who collects children's books may be drawn toward warmth, imagination, and storytelling.
You don't have to illustrate your favorite novel.
Sometimes the feeling those books leave behind is enough.
Your Library Already Contains Clues
One exercise I often recommend is wonderfully simple.
Stand in front of your bookshelf for a few minutes.
Don't read the titles. Just look.
Is there something your collection quietly says about you?
Maybe most of your books are about travel.
Maybe they're filled with mythology.
Maybe they're beautifully illustrated.
Maybe every shelf has little plants, old photographs, or souvenirs beside the books.
Those details matter.
Your library already reflects your personality.
A bookplate simply continues that story.
Look around the room as well.
The photographs you display.
The paintings you've chosen.
The little souvenirs that have survived every move.
They're often telling the same story as your bookshelf.
Think About Places Before Objects
When people begin brainstorming, they often focus on objects.
An owl.
A compass.
A key.
A flower.
Those can all work beautifully.
But I find that places are often even more powerful.
Where do you feel most like yourself?
A quiet coastline?
An old family farmhouse?
A mountain trail?
A tiny independent bookstore?
The corner of your favorite café?
Places naturally create atmosphere.
And atmosphere often leads to stronger illustrations than individual objects ever could.
Which Memories Keep Returning?
Some memories stay with us for reasons we can't quite explain.
You probably have one.
A particular summer.
A favorite tree.
A rainy afternoon spent reading with someone you loved.
A pet that never left your side while you finished countless novels.
Those memories are often much richer than traditional symbolism.
They're also impossible to copy.
Nobody else has lived your story.
That's exactly what makes those ideas worth exploring.
Your Hobbies Tell a Story Too
Reading is only one part of your life.
The things you do when you're not reading can inspire just as many meaningful ideas.
Do you paint?
Garden?
Bake bread every weekend?
Spend every free afternoon hiking?
Restore old furniture?
Play the violin?
Collect antique maps?
These interests don't have to dominate the illustration.
Sometimes a single small detail is enough.
A paintbrush resting beside a stack of books.
A climbing vine winding around the border.
A tiny sailing boat in the distance.
Little touches like these make a bookplate feel uniquely yours without overwhelming the design.
Think About Mood Before Details
Here's a question that's often more helpful than asking which symbols you like.
How do you want your bookplate to feel?
Calm?
Whimsical?
Mysterious?
Elegant?
Playful?
Old-world?
Cozy?
That emotional direction influences every decision that follows.
The exact symbols matter less than the feeling they create together.
An owl beneath moonlight tells a different story than the very same owl sitting in a sunny meadow.
A lighthouse surrounded by crashing waves feels different from one standing quietly at sunrise.
Mood connects everything.
It's often what people remember long after they've forgotten the individual details.
Don't Try to Include Everything
This is probably the most common mistake I see.
People worry they'll never have another chance to represent themselves, so they try to fit every meaningful part of their life into one illustration.
Their favorite animal. Their favorite flower.
Three hobbies. Two pets.
A family crest. A castle.
The moon. A forest.
A stack of books. A cup of tea.
At that point, the illustration stops telling one story.
It starts telling ten stories at once.
The strongest bookplates are surprisingly focused.
They give your eye one place to begin.
Everything else simply supports that idea.
Think of it like writing.
One clear message is usually stronger than twenty smaller ones.
Ask Yourself Better Questions
Instead of asking,
"What should I put on my bookplate?"
try asking questions that uncover personal stories.
For example:
- What place feels like home?
- Which object would my closest friends immediately associate with me?
- What do I always come back to, no matter how much time passes?
- Which memories feel timeless?
- If someone described me through one illustration, what would I hope they'd notice?
These questions rarely produce instant answers.
That's perfectly fine.
Sometimes the best ideas appear a few days later while you're walking, reading, or looking through old photographs.
Build Around One Strong Idea
I like thinking about bookplates the same way I think about storytelling.
Every story has a main character.
Your illustration should too.
Maybe that's an old oak tree.
Maybe it's your cat.
Maybe it's a lighthouse.
Maybe it's a favorite reading chair.
Whatever becomes the heart of the illustration should naturally attract attention first.
Everything else can quietly support it.
That approach creates harmony.
It also makes the artwork easier to appreciate every time you open a book.
Give Yourself Time
One of the nicest things about designing a personal bookplate is that there's no deadline for finding the perfect idea.
You don't have to settle on the first animal you think of.
Or the first flower.
Or the first composition.
Collect ideas for a while.
Take photographs.
Save paintings you admire.
Write down memories that keep returning.
The longer you sit with those ideas, the easier it becomes to notice the themes connecting them.
Those recurring themes are often much more meaningful than any single symbol.
They reveal what truly belongs in your illustration.
Your Bookplate Doesn't Have to Explain Everything
Sometimes people worry that every symbol needs an explanation.
It doesn't.
A meaningful bookplate isn't a puzzle that other people have to solve.
It's something you'll see every time you open one of your books.
If a particular illustration makes you smile, sparks a memory, or reminds you of someone important, it's already doing its job.
The story belongs to you.
Nobody else needs to understand every detail.
In fact, many of the most memorable historical bookplates contain symbols whose personal meaning has been lost over time.
They're still beautiful.
They're still interesting.
And they still feel personal, even if only their original owner knew the complete story.
Working With an Illustrator
One thing surprises many people.
You don't need to arrive with a finished concept.
Actually, it's often better if you don't.
Instead of saying,
"Draw an owl sitting on three books under an oak tree."
try describing yourself instead.
Tell your illustrator things like:
- the kinds of books you love
- places that feel like home
- memories that never fade
- hobbies you always return to
- the mood you're hoping to capture
Those conversations usually lead to stronger ideas than a detailed shopping list of symbols.
A good illustrator isn't simply arranging objects.
They're translating your personality into a visual story.
That's a very different process.
Collect Ideas Instead of Making Quick Decisions
One exercise I often recommend is creating a small inspiration folder.
It doesn't need to be organized.
Save photographs that catch your attention.
Old illustrations. Architecture.
Forests. Animals.
Gardens. Vintage prints.
Interesting typography. Pages from books.
Paintings you keep coming back to.
After a few weeks, you'll probably notice patterns.
Certain colors appear again and again.
Similar landscapes. The same types of animals.
The same atmosphere.
Those patterns are usually much more revealing than choosing a symbol in five minutes.
Remember That Your Bookplate Can Grow With You
People sometimes worry about choosing something they'll regret.
Fortunately, meaningful symbols tend to age well.
They aren't based on trends.
They're based on experiences.
A favorite place.
A lifelong hobby.
Books you've loved for decades.
The family dog.
A tree planted by your grandparents.
Those things rarely stop being important.
And even if your interests change over the years, your bookplate becomes a small snapshot of who you were when your library was taking shape.
There's something rather beautiful about that.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose symbols for my bookplate?
Start with your own experiences instead of traditional symbolism. Think about favorite places, books, hobbies, memories, and the atmosphere you want the illustration to create. Personal connections almost always lead to stronger ideas than choosing symbols from a list.
Should my bookplate have a hidden meaning?
It can, but it doesn't have to. Some bookplates tell deeply personal stories, while others simply capture a feeling or celebrate something their owner loves. Both approaches are equally valid.
Is it better to use one symbol or several?
Most successful bookplates are built around one strong central idea, supported by a few carefully chosen details. Keeping the composition focused usually creates a more memorable illustration.
What if I have too many ideas?
That's completely normal. Write them down, collect inspiration, and look for recurring themes instead of trying to include everything. An illustrator can also help identify which ideas work best together.
Do I need artistic knowledge before commissioning a bookplate?
Not at all. You don't need to know anything about composition or illustration. Sharing your interests, memories, and the feeling you'd like the artwork to have is usually enough to begin the creative process.
Continue Exploring Bookplate Design
Choosing symbols is only one part of creating a memorable bookplate.
If you're still looking for ideas, these guides may help:
- Bookplate Symbols and Their Meanings explores the history and traditional meanings behind popular motifs.
- Bookplate Examples showcases different artistic styles and sources of inspiration.
- Custom Bookplates explains what makes a hand-drawn bookplate feel truly personal.
And if you're ready to transform those ideas into an original illustration, you can learn more about my Custom Ex Libris Bookplate Illustration service. I'd love to help create something that feels like it has always belonged inside your library.
