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Animals and Their Symbolic MeaningsMost of the symbolic meanings for the animals and plants listed on this page come from Native American and Celtic traditions. Some are representative of a variety of other traditions. A word of caution — I am providing this list only as a starting place, a quick reference. To truly understand the full meaning behind the words in the list you really need to read the stories, myths, natural history, and traditions surrounding a particular animal. Nearly every animal has more than one meaning. And some animals have the same or similar meanings. To know which animal or tree holds the meaning you are trying to match requires more than just a look at this list. The books listed among Recommended Resources page are a terrific place to start. Check with your local public library, or buy them here. |
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ADDER - healing, life energy/breath, transformation (see also SNAKE) AIR DRAGON - insight, inspiration, vitality ALLIGATOR - the Goddess ANT - discipline, order, patience ANTELOPE - action ARMADILLO - discriminating, empathy, personal protection, boundaries BADGER - aggressiveness BAT - rebirth BEAR - intuition with instinct, primal power, sovereignty, introspection BEAVER - builder BEE - celebration, community, organization BEETLE - resurrection, metamorphosis BLACKBIRD - mystic, understanding the energies of Mother Nature, enchantment, the Gateway, self-awareness BLUE JAY - proper use of power BLUEBIRD - confidence, happiness, modesty BOAR - direction, leadership, warrior spirit BUFFALO - abundance, prayer BULL - beneficence, wealth, financial wealth, potency BUTTERFLY - metamorphosis CANARY - healing power of song, power of song and voice, musical CARDINAL - renewed vitality CAT - detachment, guardianship, sensuality, mystery, magic, independence CATBIRD - language, communication, opportunities CHICKADEE - cheerful, seeker of truth CHICKEN - fertility, sacrifice COCK - sexuality, watchfulness, resurrection COW - the Goddess, motherhood, nourishment COYOTE - fool, jokester, trickster CRANE - creation through focus, longevity, patience, secret knowledge CROW - magical, shape shifter, watchfulness, sacred law CUCKOO - new fate DEER - gentleness (see also HIND and STAG) DOG - guidance, protection, loyalty, servant, service DOLPHIN - Manna, the breath of life, life force DOVE - peace, maternity, prophecy DRAGONFLY - illusion, dreamtime DUCK - comforting, maternal, protective EAGLE - Spirit, spirituality, renewal, intelligence, courage, illumination of Spirit, healing, creation EARTH DRAGON - personal power, potential, riches ELK - stamina, strength, nobility, warrior spirit FINCH - multiplicity, new experiences and encounters FIRE DRAGON - energy, mastery, transmutation FLICKER - healing love, new growth FOX - cunning, diplomacy, wildness, camouflage, shape shifting , invisibilility FROG - sensitivity, hidden beauty and power, medicine, cleansing GIRAFFE - farseeing, farsightedness GOLDFINCH - connection with nature GOOSE - parenthood, productive power, vigilance, call to travel, fidelity, infinity, call to quest, story telling GROSBEAK - family relationships, heals old wounds GROUSE - sacred spiral, enlightenment, personal vision, personal vision HARE - balance, intuition, rebirth (see also RABBIT) HAWK - big picture, broad vision, recollection, nobility, cleansing, observant, messenger, guardianship HERON - self-determination, sef-reliance HIND - femininity, gracefulness, subtlety HORSE - the Land, travel, unearthly power, personal power, the Goddess HUMMINGBIRD - joy INCHWORM - quantitative KESTREL - mental agility KINGFISHER - calm, peace, prosperity LIZARD - dreaming, subtlety of perception, the Shadow LOON - realizing dreams, imagination LYNX - secret knowledge MAGPIE - collector, occult knowledge, willful, wily MARTIN - community peace, good luck MEADOWLARK - cheerfulness, inner journey, sublimation MOOSE - self-esteem, wisdom MOUNTAIN GOAT - surefooted MOUNTAIN LION - leadership, surefooted MOUSE - attention to detail, scrutiny, organization NUTHATCH - ethereal, grounded faith OPOSSUM - diversion ORIOLE - positive energy OTTER - helpfulness, interpersonal, joy, play, female energy OWL - critical (discerning), change, detachment, wisdom, clairvoyance, deception PELICAN - non-competitive, self-sacrificing, unselfish PIG - (see BOAR and SOW) PORCUPINE - faith, innocence, trusting PRAIRIE DOG - community PRAYING MANTIS - stillness PRONGHORN - adaptability RABBIT - fear, fertility RACCOON - disguise, maskes, dexterity RAM - achievement, breakthrough RAVEN - initiation, magic, protection ROAD RUNNER - technical ROBIN - new growth ROOSTER - (see COCK) SALMON - rejuvenation, wisdom, inspiration SEAGULL - communication, responsible behavior SEAL - longing, loove, dilemma SKUNK - reputation, respected, self-respect SNAKE - transmutation (see also ADDER) SOW - generosity, nourishment, discovery SPARROW - nobility SPIDER - weaver, creative, creativity SQUIRREL - gathering, plans ahead, prepared STAG - independence, pride, purification STARLING - sociable STORK - birth, unspoken communication SWALLOW - chattery, verbal SWAN - grace, beauty, emotional, soul, love, mystic SWISHER - accomplishment TURTLE - grounded, the Goddess, Mother Earth WATER DRAGON - connection, depth, passion WAXWING - gentleness WEASEL - stealth WHALE - record keeper WOLF - teacher, intuition, learning, the Shadow self, pathfinder WREN - cunning, humility, the God VULTURE - purification
ALDER TREE - completeness, oracular |
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