Additionally, the can also symbolize the cycle of life. Even the legends of King Arthur strongly associates it with the Holy Grail. In art, an animals presence shouldnt go unnoticed. Lastly, some cultures use a ram as a sacrificial offering; thus, it can also represent sacrifice, purity, and holiness. Lastly, cows are calm creatures, making them a great symbol of calmness. If an artist placed them in the painting or portrait, theres often profoundand in many cases contradictory animal symbolism and significance. Aside from those meanings, a crow can also represent destiny, intelligence, and flexibility. They give their children a lot of love and attention and are commonly considered as a symbol for hope, peace, and love. family PELICAN - symbolizes the sacrificial death of Christ, selfless striving for purification. happiness Many cultures believe that hawks are messengers from the spirit world; thus, they are often used for clarity and intuition. Doves are birds that mate for life and are exceptionally devoted to their partners. Whenever an artist place animals in painting, sculptures, portraits, and prints, theres usually a reason. Aside from that, this bird also represents resurrection in Christianity because of its tail that molts and grows back after some time. Weve got another animal thats a powerhouse in the mix and packed with variety. Crocodile Logo Design. It is associated with the Rosicrucian degree of the Scottish system of Free-masonry. Students studying literature as part of their education may have to analyze animal symbolism in books. The free essay samples will make your research work and writing process easy. As a predator, wolves can also symbolize power and strength. A beaver is a hardworking creature; thus, it can symbolize achievement and productivity. Life Family Fun: Magazine for Entire Family. In fact, a lot of stories are about a hero slaying a dragon. Goats are deeply associated with seduction, virility, and fertility, so it's no wonder those who keep the goat as a totem animal are prone to seduction and philandering. Because of these characteristics, an aardvark can also represent endurance. Additionally, they are the missing connection to the spirit realm and afterlife. For one, they represent rebirth and resurrection because they transform from a tadpole to a toad. Butterflies, snakes, wolves, birds of prey, and bears are just some of the animals that appear in tattoos. Because of a bears size, bears can also mean strength and power. The ass and ox were present at the birth of Christ and recognized Him as the son of God, and so they represent faith. For this reason, this creature can symbolize endurance and adaptability. For the Native Americans, this creature represents creation, and it marks the boundaries or separation between the earth and the sky or heaven. Leading with horns full speed ahead, the ram is depicted as the breakthrough animal. There was an old legend that tells the story of a pelican piercing its chest to give blood and life to its offspring. Generically speaking, the bear is known for hibernating during winter and re-emerging in the spring. Horses represent travel, movement, and desire. Animals can represent ideas that have been passed down through legends, stories, and songs. Because horses are the means of transportation in ancient times, they can also represent movement and travel. Artists have assigned meaning to real and imaginary animals since classical antiquity. Crocodiles are ferocious creatures that possess great strength and power. Cynthia is dealing with animals' symbolism and all things spiritual for many years. The lioness is the great matriarch of a family. Aside from that, salmons can also represent determination, endurance, and dedication. However, in some European cultures, cranes represent bad will and miserliness. Pigs symbolize the Bolshevik leaders, with Snowball representing Trotsky and Napoleon as Stalin. With a cow skull, of course! Nonhuman apes, elephants, cetacea, reptiles, and bowerbirds, among other animals, have produced animal-made works of art. They are the shapeshifters of the plant kingdom and can look like other plants and animals. They construct their houses together, live in close-knit communities, and even mate for life. These creatures demonstrate fidelity and commitment. For instance, in some Asian countries, like China and Japan, these majestic creatures are considered auspicious. power For this reason, they often symbolize mischief and playfulness. This animal symbolizes action, determination, and taking initiative. In general, doves are considered a symbol of purity because of their white color. She is not only the mother who cares for her cubs, but also cares for the whole tribe. Plus, he moves through the jungle with might and intensity. Known for creating their intricate webs, spiders are meant to inspire you to create the life you always wanted. emotions An octopus doesnt have bones; however, it is able to move freely under the sea because it is flexible. Leopards hunt with stealth and grace. The Greeks also touted elephants military strength and triumph. Native Americans say that a totem animal chooses you, rather than you deciding it for yourself. The famous poet Edgar Allen Poe celebrated the interesting and mysterious qualities of the raven. In Christianity, this gentle bird is believed to represent the holy spirit, and it is able to deliver our messages and prayers to God. Animals. Additionally, it can also symbolize a persons strong will because of the great strength it possesses. They may seem intense as a partner, but they make up for it with . For example, the Greeks view elephants as a symbol of military strength and power. Armadillos are known for their armored shell that is made of cartilage and bone; thus, this creature is often used to symbolize defense and protection. Butterflies are considered to be fickle, playful, and hard to catch. Because this creature lives in the dark, it can also represent mystery. Dogs are symbols of friendship. The other meanings for this adorable animal are balance, preparation, prudence, and high energy. Over 400k followers & 2,000 5-star reviews, Animals play huge roles in our lives. Read Also: Yellow Ladybug Spiritual Meaning & Symbolism. Do animals understand art? Because of this characteristic, this creature can symbolize transformation, change, and new beginnings. In Native American cultures, animals can explain the universe and inform human values and morals. A pair of swans, on the other hand, can symbolize soulmates, love, and romance. People living in the South Pacific Islands consider a shark as their protector or guardian. Aside from that, monkeys are also clever and intelligent animals; thus, they can represent intelligence and cleverness. community Cows are an animal connected to the earth. Additionally, these birds are associated with hunting, and they often symbolize a good hunt. Its rare to encounter an owl, and if you do, you can view the sighting as a sign from the universe. Certainly not in European art history, where a canine on canvas can contain multitudesrepresenting anything from fidelity to treachery to seduction. Finally, they can also represent stamina, endurance, and patience. Animal Symbolism in Literature: Examples of Animal Symbols Written by MasterClass Last updated: Mar 28, 2022 4 min read Authors use animal symbolism in literature as a literary device to imbue their stories with deeper meaning. Throughout history, their meanings and perceptions have constantly evolved. As such, they can be an analogy for your dreams, specifically when it comes to building your dreams. By Stuart / April 3, 2022. Snakes like to hide and coil, popping out when they absolutely need to. The lovebirds are said to be unable to survive without their mates for long periods and have so come to symbolize faithfulness and love across time. Snakes symbolize regeneration and renewal, female sexuality, and agricultural fertility. In Chinese culture, many animals are considered to be a sign of luck. Scorpion Meaning and Messages In this case, Scorpion symbolism is asking you to remove and cut out those things in your life that no longer serve you. Copyright 2023, Life Family Fun. Specific birds have a variety of meanings. During the Renaissance era, they symbolized fertility and female seduction. The symbolism depends on the culture, tradition, and iconography of different populations. Because birds can fly freely in the sky and roam the planet, they often symbolize freedom. In Celtic myths, dogs were known as shapeshifters. Learn more about animal symbolism in literature. If you are one of the Roman Catholic people, you should be used to swans as they are a symbol of love and purity for the Roman Catholic. Some zodiac signs (like Gemini, Virgo, Libra, and Aquarius) don't have animals as their Zodiac symbol; however, other animals represent these four zodiac signs' traits: Aries: Ram Taurus:. For the ancient Egyptians, this wonderful creature is also a symbol of power and royalty. Similar to the bull, the longhorn is known as the essence of masculinity. The parent pair does not leave the babys side until it is old enough to care for itself. As an Amazon Associate I Earn from Qualifying Purchases. In Native American culture, the buffalo is a large piece of different legends and oral traditions. Lastly, some cultures also consider a monkey as a symbol of good luck. Animal symbolism has been around for thousands of years and animal symbolism has a part of many different cultures. Dolphins are calm and peaceful creatures. Since then, symbolism has been utilized in literature and artwork to carry a deeper meaning. They are also regarded as a symbol of love. Two beavers who have mated for life are believed to be very happy in their little life together. In medieval manuscripts, animal images appear most frequently as decorative details with little relationship to the meaning of the text.They occur in the ample white space, or within decorated capital letters, frames, borders, and more. Grasshoppers are known for being constantly on-the-move. Because of its long neck, a giraffe can also represent the balance between ones head and heart. The other meanings of this adorable creature are creativity, agility, and imagination. Also, wolves are known for their intelligence, desire for freedom, and being self-reliant. Plus, they can also represent courage and adventure because of their courageous and adventurous nature. When it comes to renewal, its usually a time period that is prosperous and happy. When Gawain rests with the Lord and Lady on his way to battle with the Green Knight, we see three hunting scenes, which coincide with three seduction, orshow more content. Whether its choosing a gift or identifying your spirit animalyou need to find your perfect fit. The reason is that this magnificent animal is sensitive to its surrounding. Dragonflies molt several times in their life. Additionally, theyre known for their nobility, divination, and prophecy. So, this animal represents power, nurturing, and fertility. Native American religions require that animals be treated with great respect and attribute them to powerful spirits. Animal symbolism provides a deeper meaning into the zodiac signs. Within folklore that can be found throughout the African continent, elephants have a strong connection to people. Aside from that, a mouse is also sneaky, especially when obtaining food. In religion, snakes can be associated with the underworld, such as in The Book of Genesis. For these reasons, this majestic creature is often used as a symbol of royalty, pride, power, strength, bravery, ferocity, and justice. Native American Bat Symbolic Meanings. While of course half of them are male, their names and their beauty make us think of feminine traits such as lovingness and caring for one another. 17. As regards the virtues, the lion symbolizes courage and . Traditionally, toads have negative symbolism because they are thought to be demonic creatures. Despite being tiny, ants possess great strength. As such, they often symbolize unpleasantness, destruction, and death. The owl is the most rare spirit animal and creature. Basically, we have a ton in common with the animal kingdom, and that's why animal symbolism is so powerful! confidence Finally, a chameleon can also symbolize survival because it is a tough little creature that can live on its own. In Western culture, this bird is often associated with negative qualities such as a trickster or shape shifter. Theyre primarily known for safety, power, lifes sacredness, and durability. Monkeys are esteemed for their quick and keen wit, high observance and curiosity. Additionally, this mighty creature can also represent strength, power, and bravery. Specifically, your old self is dying so a newer version can present itself. The mystic, non-existent unicorn is known as a symbol of purity and grace. In China, a tiger symbolizes the balance between yin and yang. This is partially attributable to its link with Delphi, which means womb in Greek. This animal emerged in the Middle Ages and Renaissance and was rumored to only be captured by a virgin. Lovebirds are the perfect emblem of love. The diva of the flower . Penguins are often seen in groups because they stick together through thick and thin. In fact, animals often appear in Native American art and can have a cultural meaning or an individual meaning. By paying attention to the creatures that come into our lives, we can learn huge lessons and get vital guidance., Animal Symbolism: Animals and Their Meanings. energy Aside from that, cougars are great mothers, and they will protect their young with all their might. Channel the best version of yourself with our buffalo skulls. The Greeks and Egyptians, on the other hand, consider this animal as a symbol of godly wisdom and good fortune. They give their partners a pebble as a symbol that they have chosen to spend the rest of their lives together. They form a family with their partners and commit their lives to each other. Some animals represent romantic love, but others represent fraternal love, eternal love, or divine love. As for most religions, this mighty creature represents hope and salvation. Animal symbolism examples are present in many books. The Hawk is one of the most valiant birds that proudly represents courage, self-awareness, truth, and perspective. communication Some cultures also consider this animal as a symbol of good luck. On the contrary, eagles have been marked as signals to reconnect with your spiritual path or to embark on a spiritual journey. Because of this trait, this creature is often used to symbolize patience and creativity. Identified as one of the feared European scavengers, Eagles were often associated with death and death-related deities. Surprisingly, the crow is known for its magic and mystery. As a result, people can see the enormous love, care, and loyalty that white doves demonstrate. As such, this animal can symbolize humility. Try a few different designs in our AI-driven logo generator until you find a pairing that fits. Aside from that, some cultures also believed that this creature is a symbol of luck and good fortune; thus, they are often used as good luck charms. In Mesopotamia, there was a legend that the sun was brought across the horizon by a horse. The starfish represents the Virgin Mary (Stella Maris, which means Star of the Sea) in Christian iconography. Additionally, foxes are known for their ability to skillfully and quietly catch their prey. . In addition to love, the Starfish possesses qualities such as guidance, attentiveness, inspiration, brightness, and intuition. Animal symbolism examples in Celtic and Welsh mythology are tied in with fertility and vitality. She acts as a nursemaid to humanity, especially mothers and children. In Greek myth, Zeus (Jupiter in the Roman pantheon) transforms himself into a swan to satisfy his overwhelming passion for Leda. Worldwide, cows are a symbol of maternal love. Plus, those who travel the sea consider this adorable creature as a symbol of good luck. Other cultures from the African continent and Indo-Pacific region pinpointed its fierceness and channeled it as their chiefs symbol. As such, they can symbolize peace. Many people today have tattoos of animals that have highly subjective personal meanings to them. For some cultures, this animal is also a symbol of war and victory. They are feeble, weak animals who are towards the bottom of the food change. The lion and the lamb are symbols that run throughout the Old and New Testaments. Mysterious and intimidating, this creature is known as the symbol for perseverance, stability, intuition, loyalty, and success. adaptability Falcons are the king of the birds. As such, they are a symbol of authority, royalty, and leadership. When you start designing your logo, think carefully about the unique tendencies and qualities you'd like to portray. Additionally, ravens are among the most intelligent birds on the planet, and they symbolize knowledge, wisdom, and mental clarity. discernment Other meanings include the sun, creativity and virility. Owls represent wisdom, patience, and solitude. camouflage In some cases, their presence would even alter the meaning or symbolism of the work. Kangaroos are anything but dull and lazy. Many animals symbolize love. Some common animal symbols you can find in literature include bears, doves, foxes, lions, owls, and more. Despite being able to fly, pheasants spend most of their time on land, hiding in tall grasses. Many animals have powerful metaphors attached to them as universal concepts. As such, it can represent survival and protection. Cranes have positive and negative connotations. Additionally, they can also be a symbol of freedom because they can soar into the sky. In fact, if a squirrel appears in your life, it is reminding you to take life less seriously. Dogs represent Stalin's secret police force. Symbolism is a device used to represent ideas or qualities beyond the literal meaning. The swan is one of the creatures that people think of first when they think of animals that symbolize love. Because birds are able to fly to any location, birds also symbolize freedom. They build their nests near human populations. It represents the love embodied within the womb. Im Chris and I run this website a resource about symbolism, metaphors, idioms, and a whole lot more! Generally, cougars symbolize leadership, and they represent your desire to take charge of your life and become the best version of yourself. In Hindu mythology, the god of love is Kamadeva. The reason is that they believed that the bee came from the tears of Ra, the sun god of the Egyptians. Overall, a boa constrictor can symbolize guarding and protection. In Hindu mythology, many of the gods have sacred animals, and they are venerated in art and stories. At this point, you may be wondering why this is relevant to you. Its pungent odor, on the other hand, represents protection and self-defense. These little parrots are always seen in couples. Cats are a symbol of rebirth because of the saying that they possess nine lives. Then I strongly recommend you talk to someone to find peace with your emotions. In the Middle Ages, Western European art depicted them as the devil. While animals can impact the paintings message, theyre very evident of the rich history of animal symbology in Western art. On the other hand, Native American tribes herald the spider as the creator of possibility. A goose is a loyal creature, and it is often used to symbolize loyalty and devotion. Animals that have shells are led by the turtle. For these reasons, this wonderful creature can symbolize fertility, feast, joy, and long life. The swan is a monogamous creature. Additionally, a lot of cultures around the world use the dove as a symbol of hope and peace. In some cultures, this animal is also a symbol of health and vitality. As a spirit animal, it will inspire you to go after what you want without hesitation or fear. However, in some cultures, a white duck represents lies and deceit. Squirrels are playful animals, and they symbolize laughter, enjoyment, and playfulness. 2023 RichardAlois | Business Address: 16 Honeybrook Road, SW12 0DW London, UK | find our, Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Crane Symbolism And Spiritual Meaning: A Guide to the Magic of The Crane, Albatross, a sign of good luck to the crew, The Albatross Symbolism: An Inspiring Message To Us All, The Lamb: Symbol, Animal and Religious Figure, Birds are often used in tattoos as symbols of freedom, Ant Symbolism: Understanding the Spiritual Meaning of Ants, Ancient Egypt, gods were often depicted as having animal attributes.