The Mystery Behind Slot Symbols
If you’ve ever played or seen a slot machine, chances are you noticed slot machine symbols like cherries, bars, and the lucky number 7. But have you ever wondered why these specific icons appear so often? Their use isn’t random — it dates back more than a century and carries rich historical and cultural meaning.
Let’s explore how cherries and 7s became legendary icons in the world of slots.
A Juicy Start: Why Cherries?
The cherry symbol dates back to the early 1900s when slot machines weren’t allowed to offer cash prizes. To work around gambling laws, machine makers used fruit symbols to represent gum and candy rewards. A cherry symbol, for instance, meant a cherry-flavored gum payout.
This is why early machines became known as “fruit machines” — a term still used in the UK. Over time, the cherry stayed on the reels, even when money replaced candy as the main reward.
The Rise of the Lucky 7
The number 7 has long been associated with good luck in Western culture. It appears in religion, mythology, and folklore — seven wonders, seven days of the week, seven heavens.
Slot machine manufacturers knew this and began using the number 7 to attract players looking for luck. It quickly became the highest-paying symbol on many machines, solidifying its place as the ultimate win indicator.
The BAR Symbol: A Clever Disguise
Alongside cherries and 7s, the BAR symbol is another slot classic. It originally represented the Bell-Fruit Gum Company’s logo. Like cherries, this symbol allowed machines to appear legal by awarding non-cash prizes. Over time, it became a universal slot symbol, often standing for mid-level payouts.
Why They Still Exist Today
Even in today’s digital world, modern slots continue to feature slot machine symbols like cherries and 7s. This isn’t just nostalgia — these symbols create instant recognition and trust. Game developers use them to connect players to the “golden age” of slots, triggering emotional responses that encourage play.
Some games even build entire themes around these retro icons, adding animated reels and jackpot rounds to modernize the experience without losing the charm.
Symbols That Made Slot History
Symbols like cherries and 7s aren’t just decorations — they’re part of slot machine identity. They link modern games to their mechanical ancestors and evoke excitement rooted in more than 100 years of gaming tradition.
Next time you spin the reels, you’ll know: those cherries and lucky 7s are more than just images — they’re a tribute to the origins of a global pastime.
