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The magic and symbolism of animals
- Thread starter jw5
- Start date
Lamb
Lambs have a long history of being raised for food, with Christians, Jews, and Muslims celebrating Easter, Passover, and Ramadan by including lamb as an essential part of the celebratory cuisine. Symbolically, a lamb represents innocence, purity, vulnerability, and, significantly, sacrifice. In Christianity, the lamb represents Christ as both suffering and triumphant. Not surprisingly the lamb was a popular image of the early Church, frequently evoked as a symbol of Christ and the crucifixion.
Leopard
In line with their reverence for all things feline, the ancient Egyptians regarded leopards as symbols of divinity. In some African cultures, this big cat is worshipped as a smarter and more successful hunter than even the lion. Leopard skins are used in ceremonial wear by a number of cultural and religious groups in KwaZulu-Natal (in South Africa) and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), while in Western fashion leopard print is often worn as a statement of strength and beauty. In fact, leopards are great totems for people who are confident and strong.
Hawk
Hawk symbolism and meaning includes intelligence, independence, adaptability, messages, clairvoyance, and spiritual awareness. Regarded as one of Mother Nature's most valiant raptor species, these birds of prey represent courage, self-awareness, truth, and perspective. Sharing kinship with these creatures is to be imbued with intuition and inner wisdom.
Luna moth
In Native American mythology, the moth symbolizes rebirth, change, transformation, resurrection, and the power of regeneration. Similarly, the Luna moth—among the largest and most beautiful moth species in North America—signifies new beginnings, as they represent a continuing quest for truth and knowledge, the gift of intuition, psychic perception, and heightened awareness, all things associated with "seeing the light." Widespread but elusive, the Luna moth is said to bring luck to anyone fortunate enough to chance upon one of these delicate and incandescent insects.And your leaders are shepherd dogWe’re all animals in the animal kingdom
And I’m just an ordinary Sinkie sheep!
Mouse
The mouse symbolizes many things. The diminutive rodent is associated with endurance, in that it can tolerate and adapt to a harsh climate. As a favorite food of numerous predators, the mouse is also applauded for its focus, a character trait it employs in order to evade hungry jaws and stay alive. Ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, had little time for mice, seeing them as pests and harbingers of doom. Paradoxically, the rodent was also worshipped by some, associated as they were with gods and cults, and they were even buried alongside priests, often mummified and placed in tiny coffins.
not the Shepherd?
Centipede
The primary centipede symbolism is that of balance. But it's also associated with independence, courage, and wisdom. In Maya culture, insects and arthropods— including these multi-legged critters—appear in art in a rich and diverse context, suggesting their prominent significance in everyday life. But its alarming appearance plus the fact that some species are venomous has placed this arthropod high on the fear chart: in Japanese mythology, the Ōmukade is a giant man-eating centipede that lives in the mountains. Interestingly, 'The Centipede's Dilemma' is a 1871 poem that has lent its name to a psychological effect called the centipede effect or centipede syndrome. The poem is basically symbolic of the mundane tasks that seem automatic and simple to us, but when we start to overthink, we eventually fail to do them. In it, a centipede is asked "which leg moves after which?" Unable to answer, it falls exhausted and confused into a ditch.
Moose
Widespread throughout the boreal regions of North America, the moose is a grand and noble beast. In Ojibwe and Cree Native American traditions, moose are symbols of endurance and survival, and associated with pride and strength. Moose are still used today as clan animals in some indigenous peoples' cultures.
Scorpion
The much-maligned scorpion is a culturally significant creature, appearing as a motif in art, especially in Islamic art in the Middle East, and cited in ancient Egyptian mythology. It's in Greek mythology, however, that our imagination is captured. Gaia, the goddess of the earth and protector of the animals, was angered by Orion after he vowed to kill every living creature on the planet. Gaia asked Scorpio, a giant scorpion, to kill Orion before he could do any harm. This he did by attacking him with his stinger. As a reward for his bravery and for saving the lives of all of the animals, Gaia placed Scorpio in the night sky. When he rises, Scorpio is seen chasing Orion across the heavens.
Spider
Symbolic of creativity, numerous cultures attribute the spider's ability to spin webs with the origin of spinning, textile weaving, basket weaving, knotwork, and net making. Spiders are predominantly seen as forthright feminine figures, their intellectual power far greater than physical prowess.
Turtle
Images of turtles are present in ancient rock art and cave paintings around the globe. And this aquatic member of the reptile family is still held in high esteem by many cultures worldwide. Due to their extraordinary longevity, turtles often symbolize wisdom and health. The fact that females produce a great number of eggs is also why it is one of the oldest symbols of fertility, motherhood, and perseverance.
Narwhal
Known in Western culture as the "unicorn of the sea" for the large 'tusk' that protrudes from a canine tooth, the narwhal has historically been important to the culture and traditional economy of the eastern Canadian Arctic. Since the beginning of the 19th century, Inuit hunters have relied on narwhal as an essential source of food, blubber, and raw materials. According to Inuit folklore, the narwhal's tusk was created when a woman with a harpoon rope tied around her waist was dragged into the ocean after the lance had struck a large narwhal. Suddenly she was transformed into a whale, her hair, which she was wearing in a twisted knot, becoming the characteristic spiral narwhal tusk.
Blackbird
For millennia, the common blackbird has been welcomed either as a good omen or the messenger of bad news—its dark plumage has sometimes lent associations with magic, mystics, and witches. But this sooty-hued passerine redeems itself with one of the bird world's most distinctive and melodious calls, a song even the Beatles thought beautiful enough to include in their 1968 composition 'Blackbird.'
Squirrel
Energetic and constantly on the move seeking out food either to eat immediately or store for later use, the squirrel is symbolic of energy and preparation. In some cultures, this playful rodent is a sacred animal. It is sometimes connected with various gods, especially those associated with powerful forces of nature. The red squirrel, however, has on occasion been associated with the devil on account of its fiery coat. On an upbeat note, to be described as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is to be equated with the squirrel's penchant for fun and socializing.
Locust
A species of short-horned grasshopper, locusts have formed plagues since prehistory. Feared and revered in equal measure, these insects form enormous swarms that spread across regions, and have devastated societies since the pharaohs led ancient Egypt. The insects are mentioned in the Iliad, the Mahabharata, and the Bible. Curiously perhaps, given their ruinous appetites, the ancient Egyptians were in awe enough of these ravenous insects to carve them on their tombs. Locusts are edible, and are considered a delicacy in many countries.
It's fascinating how animals hold such deep symbolism across various cultures. The horse, in particular, has been intertwined with human history for millennia, symbolizing strength, freedom, and spirituality. It's intriguing how different cultures interpret the significance of horse colors differently, reflecting diverse beliefs and traditions. Similarly, dreams featuring animals often carry symbolic meanings. If you're curious about interpreting your dreams, you might find this link helpful https://meaningspiritual.com/dream-interpretation.
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