discernment Whales are enormous yet gentle creatures; thus, they can symbolize peaceful strength. Cows are an animal connected to the earth. In Western culture, this bird is often associated with negative qualities such as a trickster or shape shifter. A famous poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, tells the tale of a sailor who slaughters an Albatross, a sign of good luck to the crew. 17. Learn more about animal symbolism in literature. In a lot of cultures, dragons are considered evil creatures and the enemy of mankind. In general, doves are considered a symbol of purity because of their white color. Aside from that, they can also symbolize the two sides of a coin, meaning they can be troublesome creatures, but they can also be a sign of good fortune. They build their nests near human populations. For this reason, it is a symbol of peace and gentleness. Also, this animal symbolizes freedom since they have the liberty to fly to any location. However, the curiosity symbolism returned to the fold when monkeys were represented in art as copycats of painting and sculpting. At this point, you may be wondering why this is relevant to you. Dogs generally symbolize loyalty, faithfulness, and companionship. hummingbird is an ancient symbol of happiness and enjoyment of life. Because it has eight tentacles, it can also symbolize abundance and prosperity. 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. Whats the perfect way to take care of your home? Humans and human/animal hybrids called "grotesques" or "chimeras", as well as . Horses represent travel, movement, and desire. Many people attach significance to animals as symbols in various areas of daily life. As a result, people can see the enormous love, care, and loyalty that white doves demonstrate. Aside from that, they can also signify protection. Snakes in a dream could mean the dreamer should take things slowly and not to invite others in so easily. In Japanese culture, the fox is considered a fertility and agriculture symbol. And while these contradictory readings may seem to muddy the message of a given painting, they are also evidence of the long and rich history of animal symbolism in Western art. In Asia, animal symbolism is also significant. At this point, you may be wondering why this is relevant to, Whether its choosing a gift or identifying your spirit animalyou need to find your. These creatures demonstrate fidelity and commitment. For the Native Americans, elks are valuable animals, and they consider the elks as a relative who can bring them patience, endurance, and strength. On the contrary, the rabbits feature with the Virgin Mary is emblematic of the triumph over sexual desire. The reason is that they will do everything in their power to complete their tasks. Finally, elks are also considered auspicious, and they can bring good omens to people. The crow is a spirit animal associated with life mysteries and magic. The other meanings for this animal are valor, humility, self-awareness, and solitude. Like rabbits, hares reproduce rapidly and seem to love making love! This animal symbolizes action, determination, and taking initiative. However, other cultures have positive representations of the fox which include its value to humankind and as a symbol of wealth. Instead, we must enjoy life to the fullest. In this article, you will find some examples of animals that symbolize love. Lastly, some cultures consider an elephant as a bringer of good luck and fortune. Butterflies represent transformation and are symbols of change. As an Amazon Associate I Earn from Qualifying Purchases. Make sure that you visitA Daily Affirmation, abundance Bears are a common symbol of strength, and lions often represent courage. With a cow skull, of course! Aside from that, this mighty creature is also a survivor and a protector. As such, they can symbolize peace. Native American animal symbolism is reflected in their totem animals. The other meanings of this bird are sexuality, refinement, creativity, and magic. Lions are symbols of the true love of matriarchs or patriarchs. In addition, other meanings for cows include compassion, steadfastness, and perception. Because of this, it also represents intelligence. During the Renaissance era, they represented fidelity and female seduction. What animals have created art? A seahorse has a boney structure that represents protection. Additionally, foxes are known for their ability to skillfully and quietly catch their prey. The swan is one of the creatures that people think of first when they think of animals that symbolize love. German farmers capture a quail and use it as a protection for lightning strikes. One of the most notable features of the snake is in The Book of Genesis where the serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. As nocturnal creatures, cats are also associated with darkness. In Native American culture, the Buffalo plays a major role in legends and oral tradition. For this reason, it is considered a compassionate creature, making it a symbol of compassion as well. If an animal is led by the dragon, these animals most likely have scales. At the time Sir Gawain was written "the fox was regarded as vermin to be hunted out and destroyed" (Savage 33). Because of these traits, this adorable creature is a symbol of movement, speed, strength, and stamina. The wolf is well-established for its sharp intelligence, self reliance and an appetite for freedom. In Christianity, the Pheonix also represents Jesus Christ because the bird is willing to sacrifice itself to death to be reborn. 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. Read Also: Lioness in Dreams Meaning & Symbolism. family Check out our hand-carved, Upgrade your creativity and home decor with our one-of-a-kind, 5 REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH SKULL BLISS CARVED ANIMAL SKULLS, Day Of The Dead Skull: History And Meaning, The Rich Culture Of Buffalo Skull Carving. Unlike animals, humans mostly fuck for recreational reasons. Pigs symbolize the Bolshevik leaders, with Snowball representing Trotsky and Napoleon as Stalin. So it comes as no wonder ocean theme is a popular tattoo design. For the Europeans, this mighty bird is treasured for their hunting assistance, and they often used it as an emblem for war and victory. She wants to help readers achieve balance in physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. During the Renaissance era, they represented fidelity and female seduction. Aside from that, this creature can also signify tenderness or gentleness due to its gentle nature. They can also symbolize power because those who have more horses can win more battles. Dogs have been mans loyal companions for years; thus, this animal can symbolize loyalty and protection. Additionally, some cultures also believe that this animal possesses knowledge of both death and life. The last animal in this all-star line-up is the wolf. In the Irish folklore, the Bull is a symbol of virility, sovereignty, and wealth. As one of the most majestic creatures, the deer is associated with woodland deities Saba, Flidais, and Cernunnos. The reason is that they are believed to bring good luck to farmers. Whether its choosing a gift or identifying your spirit animalyou need to find your perfect fit. Flamingos engage in fairly intricate courting rituals, including what appears to be synchronized dancing. In the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf is a symbol of danger. In Judeo-Christian culture, the dove holistically represented the soul and the Holy Spirit. The lion is the king of the jungle, and it faces its enemies courageously. They give their children a lot of love and attention and are commonly considered as a symbol for hope, peace, and love. Some of these animals are bats, deer, cranes, and elephants, but there are many more. A pair of swans, on the other hand, can symbolize soulmates, love, and romance. This reading covered natural history and moral associations of creatures. Aside from that, many cultures consider this animal as patient and wise; thus, they can represent wisdom and patience. But they are still plants, at least. Additionally, armadillos can also represent endurance, resilience, and self-protection because of their hard shell. Ramp up your animal symbolism knowledge with our deep-dive into the underlying meanings of different animals throughout history and cultures. Among the Celts, the raven represents the dark side and is equated to death. In addition, this animal is representative of freedom, stamina, intellect, wisdom, and more. In other instances, the duck has been noted for its clairvoyance. In other words, it is the inner essence of the heart. Additionally, the Celts emphasized their powerful build to signify great physical strength. Just as the Wildcat has ties to clairaudience, it also corresponds with clairvoyance and visions. In some cultures, a scorpion is used as a symbol of passion, sex, and lust. Animals that symbolize strength include ants, gorillas, lions, wolves, horses, bears, and elephants. Each zodiac sign has a spirit animal, so to speak, that encompasses the compatible personality of each zodiac sign. Ladybugs are believed to come to people who are looking for love. Some of them are most obvious, such as swans and lovebirds that represent romantic love. survival A beaver is a hardworking creature; thus, it can symbolize achievement and productivity. Generally, cougars symbolize leadership, and they represent your desire to take charge of your life and become the best version of yourself. As such, it can represent survival and protection. In Mesopotamia, there was a legend that the sun was brought across the horizon by a horse. As such, this creature is a symbol of tenacity, strength, dominance, self-confidence, and masculinity. However, the color of a butterfly may also affect its meaning. When it sees headlights, it reacts with fear. Additionally, ants are also hardworking; thus, they can also represent discipline and hard work. On a positive note, Poes poem celebrates its high intelligence and wise and clever nature. In Celtic myths, they were known as shapeshifters. When it comes to animal symbology, they represent stamina, wisdom, freedom, wildness, intellect, and loyalty. They construct their houses together, live in close-knit communities, and even mate for life. In some parts of the world, a crane symbolizes immortality, longevity, and wisdom. Some cultures also consider a snake as an evil creature because it tempted Eve to commit a sin. As such, it can also represent opportunism, cleverness, and focus. Because of these traits, this creature is often used to symbolize aggressiveness, ferocity, valor, strength, and power. Additionally, these birds are associated with hunting, and they often symbolize a good hunt. In contrast, crows symbolize cunning, creativity, spiritual balance, and strength. Take a sneak peek into this essay! emotions Butterflies are considered to be fickle, playful, and hard to catch. Because of its white color, a swan is often used to symbolize purity. This species embodies luck when considering prosperity, health, growth, development, and more. Universally, elephants are a symbol of power and strength because of their enormous size and strength. The other meanings of a lizard are clairvoyance, sensitivity, adaptability, change, and introversion. Additionally, they also guard and protect their young with all their might; thus, they can also represent care, guardship, and protection. In Japanese culture, hawks are associated with wealth and status. movement Additionally, if a goat appears to you, it is a sign of many opportunities ahead as long as you believe in yourself. Like other predators, a tiger is commonly used to represent strength, power, courage, and willpower. Lets go ahead and start uncovering these animals and their meanings: Some cultures correlate animals with fertility and vitality since theyre constantly living, moving, and growing. PELICAN - symbolizes the sacrificial death of Christ, selfless striving for purification. Because of this legend, this bird is used as a symbol of unconditional love, motherhood, and sacrifice. Animal images have been metaphors in art since ancient times. PHEASANT - denotes a spiritual seeker. While the archetype of Sagittarius is depicted by the centaur, horses are also representative of this zodiac sign. Nonhuman apes, elephants, cetacea, reptiles, and bowerbirds, among other animals, have produced animal-made works of art. While flamingos are not monogamous for life, like ravens and hawks, they do stay with one partner for one breeding season, sharing responsibility for their offspring and building a nest together. energy In religion, snakes can be associated with the underworld, such as in The Book of Genesis. Generally, bees are a symbol of sexuality and fertility because they pollinate flowers. 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. 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. Some common animal symbols you can find in literature include bears, doves, foxes, lions, owls, and more. In many instances, the snake has negative connotations such as malice and poison. In the Middle Ages, Western European art depicted them as the devil. The other meanings for this majestic creature are hope, grace, and solitude. During the Renaissance era, they symbolized fertility and female seduction. Because ducks can walk on earth and fly into the sky, they are considered a link between heaven and earth. The bull is also known for its masculine power and is associated with the following deities: Zeus (Greek), Apis (Egyptian), Min (Egyptian), Ra (Egyptian), Mithras (Persian), and Shiva (Indian). balance Cats are a symbol of rebirth because of the saying that they possess nine lives. On the contrary, eagles have been marked as signals to reconnect with your spiritual path or to embark on a spiritual journey. A spider takes its time to weave its web. Hummingbird Meaning ~ Spirit Animal & Symbol of Love With their beautiful allure, captivating, flirtatious and beguiling, Hummingbird is an enchanted vixen of seduction (kind of like the fox) calling you to follow! She acts as a nursemaid to humanity, especially mothers and children. As you know, eight is a significant number in numerology, which symbolizes infinity or the beginning and end. In general, coyotes can represent jokesters because of their playful nature. defense All Rights Reserved. In Native American cultures, animals can explain the universe and inform human values and morals. Hindu scriptures describe it riding a dove bird. Birds are often used in tattoos as symbols of freedom and transcendence. Its no surprise that the sly fox has a reputation for being cunning and deceitfulwith Christianity going as far to say that this animal has devil-like qualities. Animals of the second class do not fair as well, especially poor Reynard. Squirrels are playful animals, and they symbolize laughter, enjoyment, and playfulness. Sheep Dreams. The Greeks and Egyptians, on the other hand, consider this animal as a symbol of godly wisdom and good fortune. An octopus doesnt have bones; however, it is able to move freely under the sea because it is flexible. This also represents the symbol of power, nurturing, and fertility. For this reason, bats may also represent communication. . Most of the animals on this list have negative associations with death but the butterfly may offer a beloved symbol of someone who transformed and entered the next world. Elephants are symbols of luck, fertility, and protection. For these reasons, this majestic creature is often used as a symbol of royalty, pride, power, strength, bravery, ferocity, and justice. truth Since there is a strong relationship between the concepts of sexuality and fertility and love, the horse is also a symbol of love. An owls wide-eyes is known to pierce deceit and encourage you to see beyond the illusions created in your head. If you find this website helpful - tip me a few dollars. For this reason, this creature can symbolize endurance and adaptability. 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. Horses are known for their strength, power and resiliency. Loons are solitary birds living in the wilderness, and they symbolize peace, tranquility, and serenity. For some cultures, a jaguar can also represent ones ability to confront his enemies and fears. determination Because of these traits, this animal often symbolizes strength, courage, ferocity, and primal power. Owls usually represent wisdom, ravens are often prophecies of doom, and vultures symbolize death. One reason ladybugs symbolize love is that they are highly feminine creatures. grounding Because of these traits, they can symbolize strength, agility, aggression, gracefulness, and instinct. Generically speaking, the bear is known for hibernating during winter and re-emerging in the spring. In fact, the cow is often used to symbolize femininity, while the bull represents masculinity. Certainly not in European art history, where a canine on canvas can contain multitudesrepresenting anything from fidelity to treachery to seduction. Grasshoppers are earth creatures that are attuned to the wind. Because of this trait, this creature is often used as a symbol of beauty. Basically, we have a ton in common with the animal kingdom, and that's why animal symbolism is so powerful! In China, animals are sorted into five different groups based on the animals characteristics. Lovebirds are the perfect emblem of love. The snake can symbolize ideas or things that have a negative connotation, such as malice or poison. Some animals represent divine love or paternal love. Additionally, they can also represent rebirth because they can cast off their shells and replace them with new ones. As in other settings, Bat can be a trickster akin to Coyote. Greek mythology associates the owl with Athena, the goddess of wisdom.