What sets a slot machine apart from any other casino game are its symbols. They are not just decorative images: each icon has a reason for being, and over time, many have become iconic and instantly recognizable worldwide.
Here, we review the most typical slot symbols and the origin of each one.
Fruits: the eternal classic
Cherries, lemons, oranges, and watermelons are probably the most famous slot symbols. Their popularity began in the early 20th century, when some machines gave out chewing gum or candy instead of money. To make them easy to identify, these images were used on the reels.
That origin explains why fruit symbols became a classic. Today, more than a century later, they still appear in both traditional slot machines and modern online slots as a tribute to the past.
The BAR symbol: tradition with history
The BAR symbol has a very specific origin. It comes from the logo of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company, a chewing gum manufacturer that, like fruit symbols, was linked to slot machines that didn’t pay out cash.
Over time, that logo was simplified into the well-known rectangle with the word “BAR.” Today, it is one of the most recognizable icons in slot machines and appears in variations like single, double, or triple BARs, which usually indicate higher prizes.
The bell: a prize symbol since 1895
The bell is closely tied to the very beginning of classic slot machines. It appeared on the Liberty Bell, the machine created in 1895 by Charles Fey. When three bells aligned, the player won the highest prize.
This association with winning has remained intact over time, and although modern slots no longer ring real bells, the symbol still reminds us of where it all began.
Number 7: the ultimate lucky symbol
The number seven is considered a lucky icon in many cultures, and that reputation quickly carried over to slot machines. It became popular as the symbol of the highest prizes and soon became associated with jackpots.
This combination of superstition and tradition made it one of the most beloved slot symbols. Even in modern online slots, the number 7 maintains its status as a sign of good fortune.
Slot symbols are small visual stories that have stood the test of time. Every cherry, BAR, bell, and seven carries a piece of the game’s history. Today, in the digital era, they coexist with modern icons like wilds, scatter, and bonus symbols, proving that tradition and innovation can spin together on the same reels.