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Animal Symbolism


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  • Alligator - stealth, survival
  • Ant - diligence, industry, community, remarkable strength, hard working, success, patience
  • Antelope - action
  • Armadillo - boundaries, self protection
  • Badger - aggressiveness, passion and drive
  • Bat - rebirth, longevity, joy, good luck
  • Bear - gentle strength, dreaming, introspection, power, protection
  • Beaver - builder, accomplishing goals
  • Bee - divine messenger, love, service, gathering, community
  • Bird - enlightenment, perspective, swiftness, vision, prophetic knowledge
  • Boar - nature-based wealth, prosperity, success, protection, courage
  • Buffalo - prayer, abundance, survival needs met, good fortune, healing
  • Bulls' horns - a good symbol in meditation for motivation
  • Butterfly - rebirth, the soul, transformation, the three phases of life
  • Cat - feminine energy, mystical power, used to keep the wearer safe in travel, wholeness


  • Chameleons - ever-changing future, inconsistency
  • Cheetah - speed, focus
  • Cougar - power, swiftness, balance
  • Cows - red cows are a symbol of hope, inspiring symbol for nurturing efforts
  • Coyote - trickster
  • Crane - longevity. A pair of cranes symbolizes "Long Marriage"
  • Cricket - good luck charm, singing, Spring, fertility
  • Crow - sacred law, gateway to supernatural, shape shifting, illusion
  • Deer - graceful gentleness, sensitivity, compassion, kindness
  • Dog - companionship, health, service, loyalty, protection, future prosperity
  • Dolphin - manna, joy, childlike play, helpfulness, breath of life, harmony, intelligence, self connection
  • Donkey - fertility, easy childbirth, efficiency, health, well-being, and luck
  • Dove - peace, innocence, fidelity, love, gentleness, kindnes
  • Dragonfly - good fortune, magic, vision, dreams, luck, and ancient knowledge, illusion
  • Dragon - wisdom due to long lives and potent magic, royalty, Emperor, eternity, courage, strength, rain, Spring
  • Eagle - courage, spirit, bravery, strength
  • Elephant - commitment, strength, astuteness
  • Elk - stamina, pride, power, majesty
  • Fish - miracles, providence, sea/water magic, good luck and prosperity, foresight, fortune, salmon in particular, are associated with knowledge
  • Fox - camouflage, adaptability, integration, tricksters, shape shifters, and possessors of great magic
  • Frog - healing, cleansing, messages, health, honesty, fluidity, purification
  • Gazelle - awareness
  • Giraffe - grounded vision
  • Goat - tenacity, diligence, can help to achieve goals, endure criticism, and stay safe. Goat's fur or foot - an anti-evil talisman.
  • Goose - safe return, love of home
  • Grasshopper - nobility, prosperity
  • Hawk - nessenger, strength, foresight, truth
  • Hippopotamus - emotional depths
  • Horses - power, stamina, speed, transportation and communication - A black horse with a white marking on its forehead is lucky
  • Hummingbird - joy, pure love, celebration of life
  • Ladybug - delight, trust
  • Lamb - filial piety (dutiful respect or regard for parents).
  • Lion (baby) cubs - inspire mercy and gentleness.
  • Lion (grown) - inspire strength, courage
  • Lions - pride, nobility, cunning, courage, just laws, fairness, the sun, images can protect sacred ground.
  • Lizard - dreaming, foresight, ancient secrets
  • Lynx - secrets
  • Monkey - benevolence, drives away evil
  • Moose - self-esteem, assertiveness
  • Mountain Lion - wisdom, leadership
  • Mouse - frugality, rebirth, scrutiny
  • Opossum - strategy, diversion
  • Otter - medicine (woman), balanced feminine energy
  • Owl - deception, wisdom, clairvoyance, magic
  • Ox - evil spirits that disturb lakes, rivers, and seas
  • Peacock - wholeness, dignity, beauty, recognition, self assurance, pride
  • Pig - rebirth and rejuvenation
  • Porcupine - innocence
  • Rabbit - fear, fertility, moon magic, speed, swiftness, longevity, courage, strength
  • Raccoon - dexterity, disguise
  • Raven - magic
  • Robin - growth, renewal
  • Rooster - courageous, warlike disposition, warmth and life of the Universe
  • Scorpion - the "fire within" that often needs careful tending
  • Seal - inner voice
  • Sheep - sacrifice
  • Snake - cunning, evil, supernatural power
  • Spider - destiny, fate, weaving
  • Squirrel - gathering
  • Swan - grace
  • Tiger - courage, bravery, fierceness, strength, being in the now
  • Turtle - mother earth
  • Water buffalo -
  • Weasel - stealth
  • Whale - record keeper
  • Wolf - teacher, A Guide to the Sacred
  • Zebra - Individuality

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Online resources for the above table

ANIMAL SYMBOLISM - http://www.theearthangelconnection.com/Power%20%20Animals.htm

Animal Symbolism in Celtic Mythology - http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lars/rel375.html

Animals and the Gods of Ancient Egypt by Caroline Seawright http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/animalgods.htm

Asian Art Mall Mythology - Chinese Symbols and Symbolism - http://www.asianartmall.com/refsymbols.htm

Honoring the Animal Spirits - http://www.powersource.com/gallery/objects/default.html

THE SYMBOLISM OF ANIMALS - http://members.tripod.com/~irishpub/fauna/symbolism.html


Masks From Around the World | Color - Symbolism | Site Map | Quotes | WordList | Glossary | Graphic Organizers | Rules of Thumb | On-Line Resources | WriteDesign | Co-Teachers - Doug and Melissa | Gallery | Granada Treehouse Studio | Top

E-Mail Doug at mrdoug@aznet.net or Melissa at melissa.granadatreehousestudio@gmail.com