Majority of you my fellow TH (treasure hunter) friends have recently been asking about the meaning of a foot or feet sign that you encountered on your treasure hunting projects. When it comes to this particular symbol, you have to know that it can have varied meanings depending on some circumstances.
Foot sign is actually one of the most common markings used by the JIA (Japanese Imperial Army) that they left as clues on the treasures that they had hidden. It can be encountered in two different forms. First, it is engraved on surfaces of old objects such as old trees and rocks. Second, strange rocks that takes the form of a foot. The first form is actually more reliable than the second. It is because there are many rocks around that naturally resembles the shape of a foot. I have to admit that even I can hardly determine such sign if it is authentic or not.
Engrave foot signs are often discovered out from the surface and rarely buried or hidden. The JIA actually intended to make it visible because it is a marking that plays an important part in pinpointing the exact location of the item. Without this sign, even a professional TH may have a hard time or even fail to figure out what to do next.
Rocks that strangely resemble the shape of a foot are more commonly encountered buried under the ground. Unlike the engrave counterpart, this sign has something to do with the distance or measurement.
Meaning of a Foot or Feet Yamashita Treasure Sign
It is really quite complicated to interpret the meaning of a foot sign especially when there are other symbols along with it. You have to know that these other symbols can influence its basic meaning to give different interpretations. But before we proceed on this part, let us first discuss the basic meaning of a foot sign.
1. End of Trail or Trail to Treasure
Most copies of Yamashita Treasure Signs interprets the foot sign as “End of Trail” or “Trail to Treasure”. It is a very clear meaning telling you that at the end of the trail, that is where the exact location of the hidden object. However, the main issue here is all about the trail. The trail that is being referred here is the “old trail”. Most amateurs actually tends to follow recently made trails that no longer follow the original paths. As a result, they end up digging the wrong spot.
2. Five Steps Away
The JIA did not used exact measurements because that will be time consuming and they were at the brink of being chased by the Allied Forces. They actually used their body parts for estimates such as the number of their steps. Common number of steps used by the JIA are 5, 10, 15 and 20. Five steps is applicable for the foot symbol while the higher number of steps are for those signs with “spokes”.
In order for you to confirm that the sign is interpreted this way, another sign near it must be found particularly a sign that gives direction such as an arrow. Let us assume that you have found an engrave arrow symbol near the foot sign that is pointing towards the East, it means that from that point, you have to do five steps towards the East direction. On that fifth steps, that will be the digging spot unless you discovered another sign that tells you to go to another different direction.
3. Five Feet Depth
The best interpretation for those strange rocks resembling a foot shape that are uncovered under the ground is “five feet depth”. You have to know that it is not really an exact five feet deep. As stated above, the JIA used estimates on their measurements which are not accurate. What they did was that, once they dug a hole having a depth of a height of a man standing then that is considered as five feet deep to them. Thus, it is always a good practice to extend your diggings deeper.
4. Dig at the Center Spot
Another meaning of a buried strange rock that resemble a foot shape is to dig only at the center spot. This is very important because it is actually a warning sign. Digging at the wrong portion can lead into traps being triggered such as water traps, gas and etc… Once the trap is triggered, it may be impossible to recover the treasure.
Aside from giving you the instruction to dig only the middle portion and as a warning sign, it also has a motivational meaning indicating that the treasure is closely buried right under that spot.
Buried Treasure Indicated by a Foot Sign
A foot sign does not only give clues or hints about directions, distances and spots to dig but it also tell something about the hidden treasure. This is the reason why the JIA commonly used this particular sign because it tends to confuse individuals who does not have deep understanding about this symbol.
Those foot signs that are interpreted as “End of Trail/Trail to Treasure” and “Five Steps Away” have small to medium deposits only. Such deposits include old coins, jewelries and gold bars. The best part is that, they are easy to recover. Most of them are buried at a shallow depth while some are simply hidden underneath an old rock or it can also be inside a hole or its large crack. The same applies for old trees specifically an old tree with a large hole. Thus, a good and reliable metal detector does the job a lot much easier.
As for the foot sign that involve serious digging work, it is expected a “volume of hidden deposit”. It contains a large deposit but it is not so easy to recover. Dangerous traps are also cleverly setup which makes it even a bit risky. Other than that, this kind of project requires a large sum of financing and a lot of time to be spent.
Moreover, what I discussed on this post are just still the basic interpretation of a foot sign. As I stated above, it can be interpreted differently when there are other signs near it. The same actually applies for most of the other Yamashita Treasure signs.
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Good evening Sir Elmo. We have found a foot sign that is engraved on the surface of an old large rock consisting of a frog shape. So we dug on one of its side where we discovered four pieces of very hard slightly shiny white rocks at 4 feet deep. Its color is similar to a crab meat and it is cemented forming a letter L. Their distances from each other is about 3 meters apart, they weigh about 2kg and their dimensions are about 1-1/2 x 2 x 5 inches.
One of the white rock was embedded/cemented on a color orange river rock which seems that it was soften by some kind of chemical. The other strange white rock has an engraved Kanji characters. According to my Chinese friends, the marking means ”water”. Are these white rocks markings?
Sir, we hope that you can help us. Thank you and more power!
I think that you just dug the correct spot. Those white rocks are indeed strange and they are heavy for their sizes. You might want to break them apart as they probably contain something inside. Otherwise, you should continue digging and expect to uncover more signs that could provide more clues.
What does an animal paw mean? A right paw of a dog to be more specific. Other than that, we also found a right foot of man complete with its toes. And, there is also a head of a cow carved on the big wall that seems made out of concrete.
I need to know the distance between the animal foot from the human foot and the engraved cow head.
Sir, what can you say about the sign that I found on the surface of a big rock which is 4kd-7 with one engraved foot similar to the size of a 3 year old kid? There is also 3 dots (like this . . .).
Those are interesting signs that you found, I hope that you can send photos of them to me. Anyway, my interpretation to 4kd-7 means that the item is buried under the side or corner of that big rock. The engrave foot is pointing you towards the digging spot while the three dots simply means three deposits.
Good day Sir. What is the meaning of two engraved feet with three flower petals at their lower left side?
Those two engraved feet represents a large volume of hidden deposit. However, it is equipped with highly dangerous trap. This means that if you dug the wrong spot, this could take your diggers lives. I suggest that you should proceed with caution by paying attention to all signs that you may find.
Good day. We used a dowsing tool in our site where we found engraved foot print. What can you say about this sign?
An engraved foot print sign has several different meanings. Thus, it requires other signs to support what it specifically mean. If none then I need you to describe the details of the surrounding area which might give some hints.
Good day Sir, I discuss my site we open 10x10.
1. The area has an old tree of kamias or cucumber tree at west part at east part is an old mabolo tree or velvet apple tree at south part is mango tree.
2. So we dig at the center of the three trees.
3. At 3 ft to 4 ft we encounter those sign an right foot
with engraved at the right side almost 45 or less at the left side engraved 12 or less and in the nails side has a 123 or 321 # us an ink or paint.
4. At 6 ft to 7 ft we encounter poison.
5. At 8 ft to 9 ft we encounter garden soil for almost 8 ft to 9 ft of soil and we encounter a cup of Gillette.
6. At 22 ft or up we encounter a replica of stone red color of stone.
7. At 27 ft its a water shield.
8. At 32 ft or up or below we encounter a heart sign of stone with trade mark at the top both side but in the right side below the trade has a two trade beside it will pointing im not sure maybe in the mango tree.
9. For now we are in the 43 ft we lapse the water level.
10. And now we open beside the mango tree at 10 ft we encounter a cup of Tanduay Rhum for now we are in 18 ft.
I hope you help us to analyze our site.
Hi Sir Elmo,
What does right foot without toes mean? South West 5 feet in front is a big stone, east side of the big stone is another stone with oblong sign pointing towards the big stone. Where is the possible location of the deposit?.
The possible location of the hidden item is at the rock with an oblong sign. However, I might be mistaken because I have a strong feeling that there are still other signs around that you may not have discovered yet which could change the possible location that I just stated. Thus, I suggest exploring your site thoroughly before starting your digging operation.
You have to know that when you encountered three old trees that are strangely arranged in triangle formation, it does not automatically mean that the item is hidden at the center. You need to inspect for signs because the exact location of the treasure can be on any of the three trees and not just at the center.
So now, what I need you to do is to inspect those trees for any possible markings. Aside from the markings, I want you to describe me if there are any large bent branches.
Good day Sir,
Sorry Sir but only the Kamias or cucumber tree is alive, the other 2 trees died.
Is there possible that under the trees is the possible location of the treasure?
Is the heart sign with trade at the top is an ending point of dig?
What about the foot print sign?
I send you the pictures at Facebook.
Since the two other trees already died then there is nothing that you can do but to try and dig the spot where they used to stand. Thus, the answer into your first question is "Yes". You second question which is about a heart sign simply represent the deposit. And, as for the foot print, I need to know first if there are any other signs near it.
Good day Sir,
Only the mango tree bent pointing to the Kamias tree or cucumber.
Is possible that the water level is contaminated by oil? and for a week its color black.
It's nice to know that, you should then try digging under the mango tree particularly under the bent branch.
Good day sir,
The foot print sign is no toes. The other sign near it is a turtle and the turtle is no feet and hands just the head and the body.
Is the brown soil is part of a sign and its like a right trapezoid formation?
I suggest that you should read the post about the meaning of the "Turtle Signs" so as the "Foot Sign".
Sir Elmo good day. Can I ask the meaning of a left foot mark that is pointing downward? This sign is engraved on the surface of the large rock. Thanks and God bless.
My opinion states that you have to dig 5 feet from the ground right on that spot. However, it does not guarantee that you will uncover the treasure but probably another sign.
Sir, what is the meaning of engrave left foot facing upwards on a rock and a hole on front of it. On the left side when facing the foot side, there is a right leg or left leg with foot (its like shoes) no fingers.
Many thanks in advance.
My interpretation to this sign is "5 steps forward" and that will be the digging spot. The leg that you noticed confirms that it is a large step while the hole simply represent the deposit.
Sir, what do you mean by Sungkaan engraved in the flooring found at 70ft. Tnx Sir Elmo.
It is referring to a certain distance. Are you really sure that there are no other signs aside from it? I suggest looking for additional signs near it which might probably tell more about specific distances.
Sir, what do you mean about engraved foot right leg with no finger (its like shoes) with curved face left. I found it a 6 feet.
Are you sure that it is not a natural sign? It is because there are a lot of signs like that which are commonly encountered around. Anyway, it usually mean 5 steps forward.
Good day Sir,
We found this foot print with engrave at the right side almost 45 engrave at the top of the left side almost 12 engrave at 3 ft to 4 ft at the 6 ft to 8 ft. We found gold dust molded by soft cement at 9 ft to 22 ft. We encounter a brown soil for almost 9 ft in high sloping like a feet 23 ft up. We found a replica a of stone at 27 ft were in the water level at 32 ft. We found a heart sign of stone with 2 trade mark at the top at the right side below there is 2 trade mark we have more sign have encounter. We also shock by the water after a week it was a black color like a grease or alkitran at the top of the water its have a rainbow.
Our site have an old Kamias tree old Mabolo tree old Maggi we dig at the center.
Hope you will help us our site.
Those old trees, how are they arranged? and are there any markings on them?