It is shown that the sequence of Jordan algebras [Formula: see text], whose elements are the 3 × 3 Hermitian matrices over the division algebras ℝ, [Formula: see text], ℚ and [Formula: see text], can be associated with the bosonic string as well as the superstring. The construction reveals that the space–time symmetries of the first-quantized bosonic string and superstring actions can be related. The bosonic string and the superstring are associated with the exceptional Jordan algebra while the other Jordan algebras in the [Formula: see text] sequence can be related to parastring theories. We then proceed to further investigate a connection between the symmetries of supersymmetric Lagrangians and the transformations associated with the structure group of [Formula: see text]. The N = 1 on-shell supersymmetric Lagrangians in 3, 4 and 6-dimensions with a spin 0 field and a spin 1/2 field are incorporated within the Jordan-algebraic framework. We also make some remarks concerning a possible role for the division algebras in the construction of higher-dimensional extended objects.