The symbolic meaning of animals. Animal symbols and their meanings in jewelry. What animal is the symbol of England

06.11.2019

Animals - national symbols of the countries of the world

In most states, surprisingly, representatives of the fauna become national symbols.

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The fact is that in ancient times, many settlements had their own animal totems, and in our century, old beliefs migrated in a transformed form.

Here are some:

China panda
Russia - brown bear
Australia - kangaroo
France - rooster
Canada- beaver
England is a lion
Thailand -elephant

Mongolia - horse
Norway, Finland, Sweden - elk
India -tiger
USA - bald eagle
Colombian Andean Condor
Slovenia - roe deer
Madagascar - zebu

Zaire - okapi
New Zealand - kiwi bird
Holland - cow
Philippine Islands - carabao buffalo
Ethiopia - black-maned lion
Arab Emirates hawk

Kazakhstan - snow leopard
Germany- eagle

For example, Canada is symbolized by a beaver.

And this is not at all accidental - thanks to the value of their own skins and the role that they played in the fur industry of North America, these animals were depicted on the first stamp of this country. By the way, diligence, as well as enterprise, combined with peacefulness, have become the reason that Canada is portrayed in the foreign press as this animal.

The emblem of Australia is, of course, the kangaroo.

Kangaroo is a national symbol and the main pride of the inhabitants of the country-continent. From his images here literally dazzle in the eyes, he is everywhere: in the form of toys, figurines and other tourist souvenirs, on postcards, shop signs, billboards along the roads. There is even a special road sign warning drivers about the possibility of meeting this aborigine on the road. In a word, it’s simply impossible to return home without a kangaroo from Australia.

Everyone associates this marsupial with the peacefulness and free spirit of this country. Although a lot of other amazing animals that are found only here live freely on this continent, only the kangaroo has taken pride of place on the pages of the passports of Australian residents. According to legend, this marsupial was the first to catch the eye of Cook's expedition.

Members of this team asked the natives what it was called. They shrugged their shoulders in surprise, not understanding the unfamiliar speech, and said: “Kangaroo,” which means “I don’t understand.”

In China, the animal symbolizing its spirit is the panda.

The giant panda is officially recognized as a national treasure of China. These huge black and white bears live only in Sichuan and Tibet. In total, experts number about 1000 individuals. Residents of the Celestial Empire and guests of the country can admire the rare animal in the Beijing Zoo, where several bears gnaw seasonal vegetables and fruits with rapture, scratch their backs on bamboo stairs built especially for them and fall asleep sweetly in the most bizarre poses.

As you can see, the Kung Fu Panda cartoon has a serious mythological background, and not just pure fiction.

The national symbol of Lapland is without a doubt the deer. He is invariably symbolized in our minds with Santa Claus and a wagon with magic bells.

Strong and noble - this is how the national symbol of Azerbaijan can be characterized.

Such are the legendary Karabakh horses - a rare and beautiful animal that means a lot to Azerbaijanis, appearing in everything from historical stories to postage stamps.

The CNN TV channel offers its readers a story about a unique breed of horses bred in Azerbaijan and one of the national symbols of our country.

Karabakh horses are known for their strength, speed and endurance.

"These strong and noble creatures carry all the qualities that one should expect from the national symbol of the country," notes CNN. “The legendary Karabakh horse is a rare and beautiful animal that is of great importance to Azerbaijanis.”

Symbols of Japan

The national bird of Japan (without official approval) is the Japanese pheasant (kiji). But many are inclined to see the national symbol in the Japanese tanko crane: there is a red spot on its head, evoking associations with the Japanese hi-no maru flag. For the first time, it was elevated to such a high dignity in 1947 at a meeting of the Japanese Ornithological Society. Most likely, the reason for the choice that fell on the pheasant is that it is characteristic of Japanese landscapes and often appears in folk tales, thus being, as it were, an integral part of Japanese culture.

It is impossible not to mention the tanuki - a raccoon dog.

This animal, which has been living throughout Japan since prehistoric times, is the hero of many fairy tales loved by the Japanese since childhood.

Cats occupy a special place in the culture and life of the Japanese. They are considered extraordinary creatures, and the early written evidence of the Japanese assigned them the role of guardians of the sacred. There were also many beliefs that there are special islands where only cats live, and also that they can communicate with otherworldly forces. Japan even has a temple dedicated to cats.

The Capitoline she-wolf has long been considered a symbol of the Roman Empire.

(lat. Lupa Capitolina) is an Etruscan bronze sculpture, stylistically dating back to the 5th century BC. and has been kept in Rome since antiquity. Depicts (approximately life-size) a she-wolf, breastfeeding two babies - Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of the city. It is believed that the wolf was the totem of the Sabines and Etruscans, and the statue was transferred to Rome as a sign of the merging of the Romans with these peoples.

Cow, Switzerland

Images of cows are replicated in Switzerland on all kinds of souvenirs and tourist booklets. Even at the Zurich airport, when the express train leaves the arrival terminal for the exit, bells chime and lingering bellows sound in the tunnel - a kind of greeting for guests.

And outside the windows, on giant screens placed along concrete walls, comely shepherdesses appear, smiling at travelers from alpine meadows girded with snow-capped peaks. And nearby, of course, cows are the main producers of milk, from which cheeses and chocolate are made, for which Switzerland is so famous.

Rooster, Portugal

Today, in any city in Portugal, you can buy gizmos with the image of a black cockerel - a symbol of the country, personifying justice.

ааааааааааа The legend of a pilgrim, slandered in the theft and sentenced to death, helped to put a noisy bird on souvenirs. Hoping to prove his non-involvement in the theft, he asked for an audience with the judge. However, he only arrogantly waved the unfortunate man away and said, pointing to the dining table: "I will justify you as soon as this roasted rooster crows as a sign of your innocence." As soon as these words left his lips, the ruddy chicken started up and, shaking off lettuce leaves, began to wail.

Bison, Poland

The largest population of this endangered species lives on the territory of Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Bison is one of the most famous symbols of Poland. Beer and the famous Zubrovka vodka are named after him. In Gdansk there is an old fort "Zubr", which defended the city in the 17th century, and in Yelets in the post-war years they produced a truck under this brand. In general, this animal in Polish culture has become so merged with the concept of national self-identification that it is reflected even in the names of people. Typical among them were Bison, Zubrovsky, Zubritsky, Zuber and Zubar.

If you ask a Pole which animal and bird is especially dear to his heart, you will surely hear: "Horse and stork".

The coats of arms of many Polish settlements, as well as the symbols of institutions and organizations often contain the image of a stork, which indicates the touching attachment of the Poles to these birds.

Gecko, Barcelona, Catalonia

Covered with colorful mosaics, the gecko is one of the most famous sculptures in Catalonia. It adorns the staircase in Barcelona's Park Güell, designed by the great Catalan genius Antoni Gaudí. There is always a line of people wishing to be photographed near the popular object, and souvenirs with the contours of a lizard are sold like hot cakes from local merchants. Few of the fans of the statue know that the colorful gecko is not just a decoration of the stairs - it serves as a drainage system from which excess water accumulated in the park's underground reservoir pours out.

Alpaca, Bolivia

Alpaca is a national symbol depicted on the coat of arms of the country. These animals live high in the mountains and perfectly endure harsh climatic conditions due to their fur. Alpaca wool is highly valued. Being even warmer than sheep, it is still much softer and lighter, and besides, it is silky and shiny. The locals respectfully call it the divine fiber. Plaids and blankets are made from it - thin, but phenomenally warm, as well as yarn for making clothes. Alpaca knitted sweaters are not spiky at all. In addition, there are no organic fats in the wool of these animals, so things from it do not get dirty for a long time.

Bison is one of the main symbols of Belarus.

Back in the 16th century. this animal was sung by the Belarusian poet-humanist of the Renaissance Mikola Gusovsky in the poem "The Song of the Bison". The poem was written in Latin and tells about the times of Prince Vytautas, when the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a strong and influential state. Mykola Gusovsky described a bison hunt, during which Vitovt's warriors were trained in military dexterity. It also tells about the bison itself, its habits and how dangerous it can be for hunters. Moreover, the bison with its habits and character in this work symbolizes the state itself.

Another symbol of Belarus is the stork. It symbolizes national purity

Stork, Strasbourg, France
Looking at the souvenir shops, completely littered with storks of various types and sizes, it is easy to guess that this bird is one of the symbols of the city. Thanks to the swampy terrain along the banks of the Rhine, storks have always been numerous in Alsace. They can still be seen in the sky of Strasbourg today. However, not only in the sky. According to local beliefs, a stork sitting on the roof of a house is a sure sign of imminent happiness for its residents. And so that happiness never leaves the house, the townspeople began to decorate their mansions with figurines of these birds, therefore, looking closer, you can often see birds on the facades.

Bear, Berlin, Germany. The symbol of the German capital is the bear.

The image of this animal appeared on the coat of arms of Berlin already in the XIII century. And since the 21st century, the city totem has literally sparkled with new colors - in 2001, the United Buddy Bears festival began to be held here. Its essence is that artists from different countries paint the statues of bears in the national motifs of their countries - so that people looking at the bears see the difference in mentality and become more tolerant of each other. Berliners were very fond of the bright figures of clubfoot, so today they can be found not only during the exhibition, but also at any other time - as street decorations.

Animals, as an ancient symbol, symbolize the instinctive life; fertility and abundance; instinctive and emotional impulses that must be curbed before entering into the realm of the spiritual; passive participation and the animal nature of people: “it is impossible to find an animal that would not have at least some resemblance to a person.”

Animals as an ancient symbol

In accordance with the three-term division of the World Tree, animals are distributed vertically.

Birds correlate with the top, especially often an eagle, often some fantastic bird (sometimes there are two birds symmetrically on top of a tree, as if duplicating the sun and the moon).
Ungulates (horses, bulls, cows, deer, elks, antelopes, sheep, goats, etc.), sometimes bees, correlate with the middle; ungulates are arranged symmetrically along the sides of the tree, often forming a sequence of animals, hierarchically organized and horizontally (eg, horses, cows, sheep, etc.).
Snakes, frogs, mice, fish, beavers, otters, sometimes bears or monsters of the chthonic type are associated with the bottom of the tree (its roots).

Similar descriptions (both verbal and visual arts) of the World Tree with the distribution of animals are known in abundance in the ancient Near Eastern traditions, in India, Iran and China, in the Siberian shamanic traditions, partly among the American Indians, in the old Indo-European cultures, including the Slavic.

The wolf is a symbol of the brave

Traditionally, the wolf is an ancient symbol of viciousness, gluttony, devouring passion and rage. Wolves and ravens are often close friends of the primitive gods of the dead.

The ideas of the peoples of Europe about lycanthropy and werewolf are associated with wolves. The notion of lycanthropy put the wolf on the level of man. It was an equal, friend or foe.

There were two types of werewolves: on the one hand, the sorcerer could turn the objectionable into a wolf, on the other hand, he could turn into a wolf himself. At the same time, it was believed that it was possible to regain a human form.

The custom has been preserved to leave the bones of a dead wolf to influence the enemy, the thief: a spell was pronounced, certain parts of the bones were broken and burned. It was believed that in this case, the enemy (thief) would dry up or hurt the corresponding parts of the body.

"Wolf holidays" were celebrated in the spring, during the spring equinox, on the day of St. George on April 23 (according to the old style). They are ritually associated with the cult of cranes as solar birds.

And, perhaps, because in the tales associated with the search for the Firebird, the wolf acts as a magical assistant ("Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf").

St. George in Russia was called the wolf shepherd: "George gave what the wolf had in the teeth."

The ancient name of the wolf - "Hort" - remained only in conspiracies.

The mummers dressed in wolf skins, jumped over a stump, performed actions related to agricultural magic. From here came the word "wizard" - dressed in a tow, a wolf skin, a disguised person.

The historian and archaeologist B. A. Rybakov expresses the opinion that the priests-princes were dressed in skins, who, when performing rituals, could not appear before the people in their usual form.

The wolf is the mount of witches and warlocks, and takes the form of a werewolf or werewolf.

The ancient symbol of a lush plant that has gained strength - the image of wolves with flourishing tails - is known from the decor of ancient Russian churches and ornaments on bracelets.

The ritual of dressing in wolf skins or walking with a stuffed wolf, among many peoples of Europe (including the southern and western Slavs) was timed to coincide with the autumn-winter season.

In Christianity, the wolf is evil, the devil, the destroyer of the flock, cruelty, cunning and heresy, as well as a man with a motionless neck, since it is believed that the wolf is not able to turn around.

The wolf was the emblem of Saint Francis of Assisi, who tamed the wolf Gubbio.

What does the Horse symbolize?

The horse is an ancient symbol of the sun, the steppe. The horse symbolizes grace and courage. Among the ancient Slavs, the horse served as a symbol of death and resurrection, like the rising and setting sun.

The loaded horse is a symbol of the human body carrying the burden of its spiritual constitution. Or, on the contrary, this symbol of the spiritual nature of man, bearing the burden of the material personality.

The horse, as an ancient symbol, plays an important role in many mythological systems of Eurasia. It is an attribute (or image) of a number of deities.

On horseback, gods and heroes move (through the sky and from one element or world to another). Stories about mythical horses are known in ancient Indian, Celtic and Slavic mythologies.

In the Bible, in the book of the prophet Isaiah, it says: “Woe to those who go to Egypt for help, relying on horses and relying on chariots, because there are many of them, and on horsemen, because they are very strong, but they do not look at the Holy One of Israel and do not run to the Lord!

The Egyptians are people, not God, and their horses are flesh, not spirit” (31:1-3). At the same time, the horse in the Bible is the embodiment of stateliness, beauty and grace, the perfect creation of God.

The groom likens his beloved to a mare in Pharaoh's chariot.

The horse is an ancient symbol of strength, speed and tireless running. A symbol of fearlessness, military prowess and glory.

The horse as an ancient symbol has a dual meaning. As a solar force, a white, golden or fiery horse appears with the sun gods harnessed to their chariots; as a lunar (element of moisture, sea and chaos) force - the war horses of the oceanic gods. Thus, the horse symbolizes both life and death.

The horse also symbolizes intellect, wisdom, mind, reason, nobility, light, dynamic strength, agility, speed of thought, the running of time.

She has an instinctive sensitive animal nature, magical powers of deification and symbolizes the wind and sea waves. Appears in the images of the gods of fertility.

The winged horse is the sun or the cosmic horse. As an ancient symbol it represents pure intellect, innocence, chastity, life and light; they are ruled by heroes.

At a later time, the horse replaced the bull in sacrifices. Both of them personify the gods of Heaven and fertility, male power, as well as chthonic powers.

The white horse of the ocean is related to both the water principle and the fire principle. A lion killing a bull or a horse means the Sun, drying up moisture and fog.

The black horse is a sign of a funeral. Heralds death and symbolizes chaos. Appears during the twelve days of chaos between the old and the new year. The sacrifice of the October horse means the death of death.

In Christianity, the horse is the sun, courage, nobility. Later, during the Renaissance, he began to symbolize lust. In the catacomb images, the horse as an ancient symbol meant the rapid passage of time.

The four horses of the Apocalypse are war, death, famine and epidemic. The horse is the emblem of Saints George, Martin, Mauritius, Victor; wild horses are the emblem of Saint Hippolytus.

Cow as a symbol of motherhood

It symbolizes the Great Mother, all the goddesses of the moon in their nourishing aspect, the productive power of the earth, multiplicity, childbearing, maternal instinct. The horns of a cow are the moon in an incomplete phase.

Representing both the moon and the deities of the earth, the cow is an animal both celestial and chthonic.

For many peoples, the cow as an ancient symbol symbolizes fertility and prosperity. The cow in many ancient and archaic religions is a symbol of fertility, abundance, prosperity.

Cat - mystical animal

Sacred animal of many nations. Cat worship was characteristic of agricultural cultures, when people's lives depended on the safety of the crop and protection from rodents was required.

For the priests, the cat was an ancient symbol of the magnetic forces of Nature. The cat is also a symbol of eternity, as it lies curled up in a ring.

The cat, having the ability to change the shape of the pupil, symbolizes the changing power of the sun, as well as the phases of the moon and the magnificence of the night. It means also everything that is done furtively; desire and freedom.

A black cat is lunar and personifies evil and death (only in our time a black cat began to mean good luck). In witchcraft, the cat as an ancient symbol is a good friend of witches.

A black cat, as an approximate sorceress, means evil and bad luck. Cats and dogs can make it rain.

In other traditions (for example, in a number of Lithuanian mythological texts), the cat-slayer turns into an opponent of the snake-slayer, acting in some cases in the form of a cat.

An opponent of Perkūnas (in particular and above all a devil) can turn into a cat or a cat of black color, sometimes with red eyes.

In the Latvian folklore-mythological tradition, a black devil with cow legs, when faced with thunder and lightning, turns into a black cat trying to hide near a person.

A snake fighter, a fairy tale hero, a monster slayer, for example, Ivan Popyalov, the hero of the Belarusian fairy tale of the same name, can also turn into a cat.

The motive of turning a hero into a cat is also known in the East Slavic cycle of tales about Ivan the Cat's son (more often Ivan Suchich or Ivan the peasant's son).

In some of these tales, the cat as an ancient symbol (along with it sometimes appears Kot Kotovich, brother of Ivan Tsarevich) can be both the incarnation or assistant of the serpent and the serpent fighter.

Both of these functions are combined in the tale of Volya Volovich, who, after each battle with a snake, meets with "Kotish, gouge out your eyes", threatening to eat him.

The hero kills the cat, puts on his skin and, under the guise of a cat, enters Baba Yaga.

The opposition of the snake fighter and the snake in a transformed form (through the opposition of "cat and mouse") is widely represented in rituals and their degenerate forms - children's games.

In lower mythology, the cat acts as the embodiment (or assistant, member of the retinue) of the devil, of evil spirits.

In Ukraine, there is a belief that the devil, having turned into a mouse, swam across the sea to seduce Eve. The Blessed Virgin, seeing this, threw down her mitten.

From this mitten a cat became and devoured the devil. The cat, as an ancient symbol, was revered as unclean because it ate the devil.

In Christianity, the cat is Satan, darkness, lust and laziness.

Cat Baiyun. A wonderful beast of Russian folklore, which got its nickname from the verb "bait", to tell. The tales of Kota-Bayun are endowed with magical power, with which he strikes his enemies to death.

Bear as a symbol of Russia

The bear has long been one of the most enduring ancient symbols of Russia. If other animals can be defined unambiguously, cowardly like a hare, angry like a wolf, cunning like a fox, then it’s not so easy to say about a bear.

A symbol of good nature, gluttony, rage, heroic strength, clumsiness, laziness, tender maternal feelings ... It's all about the bear.

Medvel as an ancient symbol symbolizes the resurrection (the appearance in the spring from his winter lair with a bear cub), a new life, and therefore initiation and rituals associated with the transition.

In heroic myths, the bear is a solar symbol.

In mythological representations and rituals, a bear can act as a deity (in particular, a dying and reborn one), a cultural hero, a founder of a tradition, an ancestor, an ancestor, a totem, a guardian spirit, a healer spirit, a master of the lower world, a sacred and (or) sacrificial animal , the embodiment of the soul, the giver, the animal double of a person, the shaman's assistant, his zoomorphic hypostasis and soul, werewolf, etc.

The bear is one of the main characters of the animal epic, fairy tales, tales, songs, riddles, beliefs, conspiracies, etc.

The meaning of a bear is determined primarily by its likeness to a human, interpreted by the mythopoetic consciousness as an indication of their common origin or origin from each other.

The theme of the similarity or identity of a bear and a person in different ways is realized by the bear hunting ritual, which is the core of the bear cult.

The totem animal of many northern peoples, the bear as an ancient symbol served as a symbol of the connection between heaven and earth. The Arctic is the land of bears (Arctos).

The constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are a symbol of the northern sky. The bear was the ritual animal of the goddess Artemis.

As a symbol of Divine retribution, the bear is mentioned in the Bible, in the legend of the prophet Elisha.

The bear is one of the animals associated with lycanthropy, shapeshifting. The bear man, the son of a bear and a woman, is a common character in the folklore of different countries.

He controlled time (in a den, the flow of time is not noticed, you can sleep in it all winter like one night, or live for several years, counting them as one week).

He was called the Boss, Mikhail Potapych, Shaggy, Dense, Dirty - a hundred names, but "bear" (eating honey) - a typical replacement name, was rarely called so as not to disturb the spirit of the formidable beast.

The black bear as an ancient symbol was a symbol of infernal forces.

The biblical texts had a decisive influence on the subsequent symbolic identification of the bear with Satan.

However, in the medieval tradition, the bear even more often denotes the sinful bodily nature of man.

In many medieval and Renaissance images of Adam and Eve, a bear climbing a tree symbolizes the disastrous outcome of the coming temptation; similar in meaning motifs of a chained bear are also common in various religious and moralizing scenes.

Among the Slavs, this mighty beast is an ancient symbol of calmness and peacefulness, since it becomes ferocious only when it is attacked or teased.

Yes, and the Scripture says that "The Lord will deal with his opponents like a bear, from which her cubs were stolen."

On the other hand, the bear won people's love as a sweet tooth, and very purposeful: when did the bees stop the clubfoot if he was going to feast on honey?

In Christianity, the bear as an ancient symbol means evil, the devil, cruelty, greed, carnal appetite.

Bear cubs were believed to be born shapeless and thus they were seen as a symbol of the transforming, regenerating power of Christianity over pagans.

It is the emblem of Saints Blandina, Gall, Florentin, Maxim. The battle between David and the bear symbolizes the conflict between Christ and the devil.

Mastering the art of Feng Shui, you will attract happiness and harmony to your home, and make your family members more successful and successful. The most common science is the proper arrangement of the home: the arrangement of rooms, furniture, etc. But not everyone knows that animals play an important role in the harmony of the house. Feng Shui uses living animals or their images, figurines and figurines as symbols. In the article we will tell you which animals are considered symbolic and what role they play.

Animal symbols and their meaning

So, which animals should be kept at home (not necessarily in kind):

Rabbit.

He is responsible for excellent hearing, sensitivity to other people's problems, empathy and prosperity. It is believed that the rabbit is inextricably linked with the moon and has secret knowledge about the benefits of herbs and how to prepare miraculous potions. This science, according to legend, he was awarded by the Buddha for the ability to self-sacrifice.

It is believed that the image or figurine of a rabbit in the bedroom of the spouses contributes to warmth in relationships and love. But this talisman should not be used by people born in the year of the Rooster according to the Chinese calendar, as these creatures cannot get along together.

Bear.

The owner of the forest symbolizes strength, perseverance, endurance and the ability to go ahead to your goal without turning off the path of life. Therefore, managers, entrepreneurs, athletes, etc. will be very handy to have such a symbol next to them. You can pick up an amulet with the appropriate image and wear it without removing it.

The bear can also protect the house from unkind people and robbers. To do this, place a figurine or even a simple plush toy in front of the front door.

A very interesting character. It combines two opposites: on the one hand, it is a peaceful, harmless animal with a soft body and short legs, and on the other hand, a small hedgehog, in case of danger, without fear, confronts the most dangerous enemy with the help of needles on its back. Since ancient times, people have believed that the hedgehog weapon is dangerous only for darkness and evil, it will bring only happiness to good people.

If a figurine or an image of two hedgehogs settles in your house (no less, otherwise the animal will get bored and stop bringing happiness), then the people living here will be friendly and hospitable.

Frog.

It is a symbol of health and longevity. Well, of course, if you put live aquarium frogs in your home, but their images will also work. The frog will protect you and your loved ones from serious illnesses, speed up the healing process.

Dog.

A well-known symbol of devotion and friendship.

Living in your house, the dog will not only protect you from betrayal and deceit, but also endow the people living here with positive qualities, such as caring for loved ones, support and mutual assistance.

Where do legs grow from?

Why did animals suddenly mean something? Where did all these allegories come from? The thing is that from ancient times the life of man (including the primitive) in all its manifestations was closely connected with the animal world, one might even say - inextricably linked. So it was before, so it is now. It is no coincidence that we often call animals "our smaller brothers" - they are indeed ubiquitous in human life: in signs, legends, fairy tales, myths, religious beliefs, and so on. Even in the sky - and then the animals! The word "zodiac", by the way, is translated from ancient Greek as "animal".

In certain nations, certain animals are considered sacred (more on this will be discussed later). In general, it is clear that the lives of animals and people are as closely intertwined as one can imagine. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was the animals that began to personify for people those or other qualities that they wanted or did not want to be endowed with; began to personify moral and spiritual phenomena. It is no coincidence that in myths the gods necessarily had symbols of animals - this means that each god possessed or desired to possess specifically the quality that was inherent in the animal he had chosen. It is noteworthy that often one animal could have far more than one meaning: for example, everyone knows the fox as a savvy cunning, but in some places wisdom is also attributed to it (and, surprisingly, on the contrary, stupidity). Next, we will talk in more detail about the symbolism of animals.

A fox

Since she has already been mentioned twice, it’s worth starting, perhaps, with her. So, the fox, as mentioned above, usually appears as a very dexterous, sly person, possessing a fair amount of cunning, often coupled with deceit, outstanding patience, incredible selfishness and terrible hypocrisy. With all this, she is also quite smart, and often she is also credited with such characteristics as vindictiveness and cowardice / caution. Surely everyone at least once in their life heard someone called a fox: "Well, you are a fox!" This can be said both in the meaning, for example, "well, you are a sly one," and "well, you are a sucker."

The concept of falsity is often associated with a fox, in addition, in some nations, a fox is a sorceress, a sorceress. So, for example, among the Chinese in fairy tales, a fox, having lived to be a hundred years old, turns into a sorcerer, and having crossed the thousand-year mark, generally goes to heaven and becomes a heavenly fox. In many legends of the same Chinese, Siberians, North Americans, a red-haired cheat becomes a woman on a full moon, which also indicates her magical abilities, but only of an evil, demonic nature (good sorcerers and wizards do not change their appearance, since they have no need to hide their true appearance). Related to this is the meaning of the fox as the embodiment of the soul of the deceased (developed in China). The Chinese, like the Japanese, generally endowed her with a huge variety of qualities - if the Europeans declared her only cunning and insidious, then for the above peoples she also became a symbol of eroticism and seduction. But in fairness, it is worth noting that there are exceptions to the usual perception of the fox as an evil and insidious cunning. So, among the Indians of California, the silver fox is a national hero, and among the Japanese, the white fox is generally a sacred animal of the rice god Inari.

horse

We figured out the fox, but what does the horse (or horse) symbolize? It has long been considered, along with the dog, one of the best and most faithful friends of man, his devoted assistant. It has infinitely many meanings: it is courage, and grace, and endurance, and intelligence, and wisdom, and strength, and fertility, and nobility. The horse is both a symbol of life and death. All the gods had horses harnessed to their chariots, symbolizing light, life, they are the messengers of the gods. But at the same time, in many traditions, horses are funeral animals, on which the souls of the dead go to the afterlife. For example, an interesting tradition existed among the Slavs: if a deceased person had a horse, they killed him and buried him with the owner so that the soul of the latter would fly on a horse to the kingdom of the dead. Equally important is the color of the horse - black means death, white - life. However, sometimes a white horse denotes otherworldly forces: for example, on Russian icons, a white horse is a symbol of incorporeal beings.

Two more interesting meanings of the horse are passion and the ability to predict. The latter was often played up in fairy tales and legends, for example, with the Brothers Grimm. And in ancient Greece, the image of a horse was taken by Poseidon - the god of the sea, the ruler of earthquakes and springs.

The horse is worshiped by many Indian tribes. This has been going on since the time of the famous Spanish conqueror Cortes. He left his wounded horse to the Indians to go out; the Indians promised to take care of the animal, but they had never met horses before, and therefore did not know how to care for them, and fed Cortez's horse with meat. Of course, the horse died, and the frightened Indians made a stone copy of it, worshiping which they begged for forgiveness.

Here are a few more meanings of this animal: a horse that has been brimmed symbolizes power, a winged horse symbolizes poetry, and loaded like a donkey symbolizes a human burden and the frailty of our being.

Owl

What does the owl symbolize? The first thing that comes to mind is wisdom. It is with this epithet that she is most often mentioned - a wise owl. It is no coincidence that various intellectual clubs and circles often choose the image of this bird - omniscient and erudite - as an emblem, logo. The owl is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, as it has been considered from time immemorial. In mythology, she was a symbol of the goddess Athena - a wise warrior. In addition to wisdom, a prophetic gift is also attributed to the bird - often it becomes a harbinger of certain events. This is a very sensitive and understanding bird, prone to the same bouts of melancholy. And the appearance of an owl, the habit of looking without blinking, piercing yellow eyes, no less piercing guttural cry and complete noiselessness led to the fact that the owl began to be associated with death. So, answering the question of what the owl symbolizes, you can, in addition to the above, add: darkness, darkness, death. A similar meaning, as well as the meaning of loneliness, despondency, despair, is typical for countries such as Japan, China, India, North America, Ancient Egypt.

In many nationalities, an owl is not just a prophet, but a harbinger of misfortune, misfortune, perhaps even death, a devilish bird that is tamed by witches and sorcerers (by the way, they themselves are able to take on an owl's appearance). In connection with this meaning, it is interesting to recall a series of books about "Harry Potter" by the British writer J. K. Rowling, which largely relied on various beliefs and rituals: it is the owls in the magical world of "Harry Potter" that are kind of postmen, bringing letters to magicians as if they had good content. (for example, about enrolling in the school "Hogwarts"), and with not very good (for example, about expulsion from it). It is this representative of the fauna that is a favorite pet and helper for magicians, but it cannot be said that only evil sorcerers and sorceresses own it: for example, the owl of the main character - a positive character - is herself very positive.

Returning to the symbolism of animals, we must also add that in Christianity, an owl, in addition to all of the above, also meant solitude, loneliness. Often she was mentioned in the same row with the hermits, and with the praying hermits. And the meanings of a widow, an old maid and a keeper of underground treasures were also attributed to the owl. Thus, it cannot be categorically said that the owl is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. This image has a lot of other interesting meanings.

Turtle

Let's talk now about what the turtle symbolizes. Like the owl, it is a symbol of wisdom. And also - strength, eternity and inviolability (it's time to remember the ancient belief in a flat earth, which is held on its back by a turtle). This animal is associated in many nations with immortality and the very creation of the world. What the turtle also symbolizes is fertility and procreation. In China, for example, she is a soothsayer, a spiritually gifted being (there are four of them - another dragon, qilin and phoenix), a long-liver (the latter value is also characteristic of Japan). Turtle is a symbol of strength, endurance, patience, hard work and perseverance. No wonder it was chosen as an emblem by many warriors and rulers of different nations - it symbolized their slowness, but self-confidence.

Christians endowed the turtle with the meaning of decency and fidelity: it denoted a woman living in marriage, like a turtle in its shell. And among the African peoples, the animal, on the contrary, was a male symbol - it denoted male fertility (the Africans identified this representative of the reptile order with the male genital organ). And the turtle symbolizes invulnerability and security - the one in the shell is not so easy to get to!

Cow

Many are interested in why the cow is a sacred animal in India. This question will certainly be answered a little later, but for now we’ll just talk about the meaning of this animal. In all countries of the world, among all peoples, the cow is primarily a symbol of motherhood (because it gives milk), as well as fertility and prosperity.

In mythology, the cow symbolizes the womb of Mother Earth, where everything that exists on it is nurtured. The symbolism of the animal among the Egyptians is vital warmth, among the Slavs - the heavenly mother, giving milk to the earth with her milk. Also, the cow means patience and endurance.

Eagle

It is not difficult to guess what the eagle, one of the most ancient symbols, symbolizes. Victory, strength and height of spirit, courage and power, freedom and power - these are far from all of the meanings that this animal has. By the way, the meaning of the double-headed eagle is also connected with power - it is a symbol of strengthening power. In addition, the eagle is considered a royal bird, symbolizing a noble origin.

The ancient Greeks identified him with the Sun, because he soars in the sky as high and free as this luminary. It was believed, in addition, that only an eagle was able to fly to the sun, that only he was able to look at the sun without blinking. And it is this bird that flies among thunder and lightning, which marks true courage and fearlessness. Among Christians, in addition to all of the above, the eagle is compared with Christ - its flight is a symbol of Christ's Resurrection, the bird is considered the messenger of heaven.

Bear

It has long been customary that clumsy people are called by the name of a clubfoot inhabitant of the forest. "What a bear!" - we say, if someone stomped loudly, broke a cup or did not fit into the turn. The meaning of clumsiness is the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning this animal. However, what the bear symbolizes, besides this, is good nature. In many fairy tales, legends, beliefs of different nations, he appears as a good-natured bumpkin, a lover of sleeping, eating raspberries and sucking his paw. However, there are enough contradictions in the image of a bear - it is often associated with anger, rage, and mortal danger.

Another meaning of the bear is courage, strength. In addition, Potapych symbolizes the beginning of a new life - after all, in the spring they come out of hibernation and seem to begin to live in a new way. change for the good, but also endurance and patience. For the Indians of America, the bear is a symbol of supernatural strength, for the Chinese - courage, for the Japanese - goodwill. In Russia, the brown bear is a national symbol, and for many of our Slavic ancestors, it was a totem animal.

a lion

Everyone knows: the lion - It is the royal (and in general the highest) power, nobility, aristocracy that this animal marks. The lion is a symbol of courage, fearlessness, courage. It signifies honor, power, greatness. But the lioness symbolizes motherhood and endless love. In many cultures, she is revered as a mother goddess. And Buddhists believe that the Buddha used a lion as one of the guises. The features of this animal were often used in the image of other, mythical characters to endow them with the qualities inherent in a lion (for example, sphinxes or chimeras).

In the Middle Ages, people endowed the king of beasts with the ability to sleep with their eyes open, which is why the lion is a symbol of the watchful eye, the vigilant eternal guardian. Like the bear, this is a controversial figure - on the one hand, Christians saw in him the personification of God's Son, on the other hand, devilish forces, since the devil wants to absorb human virtue with the same force that the lion seeks to catch prey.

Pigeon

What the dove symbolizes, probably everyone knows. and kindness, love, friendship, sincerity - this is what this seemingly simple bird carries in itself. The common expression "pigeon fidelity" also appeared for a reason - a pair of doves denotes marital fidelity and eternal love. There are many stories, legends, stories and even songs about the dove as a symbol of peace (let us recall at least the Scorpions and their White Dove - "White Dove").

Among Christians, among other things, the dove also denotes the Holy Spirit. This bird, in principle, symbolizes an unbreakable connection with the soul, as well as the transition from one state to another. The dove is the mediator between the earth and the sky, it is he who is the messenger of the gods. In the countries of the East, for a long time, the killing of pigeons was considered the highest sin.

Wolf

Cowardly and narrow-minded are the first epithets that pop up in the head if necessary to reveal the meaning of the wolf. In almost all fairy tales, the wolf appears just like that, and also a loser and a fool, with whom something always happens (you don’t need to go far for an example - the wonderful Soviet cartoon "Well, wait a minute!" is his model).

However, there are other symbols of the animal. For example, caution, vigilance - this is exactly the meaning that is put into the image of a wolf when it is used on coats of arms. Another wolf is a symbol of protection and reliability ("Mowgli"), but also deceit, malice and rage. For many peoples, the wolf is the progenitor, and in some myths it is he who accompanies souls to another world. The Romans revered the wolf as a sacred animal to Mars; for them, as for the ancient Greeks, it signified victory and valor. But Christians perceived this animal as a devil encroaching on the souls of believers. They attributed to him the meanings of cruelty and evil.

Hare

If we are already talking about the wolf, how not to say a few words about the hare and what it symbolizes? If an eagle, for example, is compared with the sun, then a hare, on the contrary, is identified with the moon: ancient people distinguished jumping hares in spots on the moon. Or rabbits, which, in general, does not matter. The symbol of the hare is fertility, dexterity, magical power, and also excessive self-confidence and bragging.

Among the ancient Romans and Greeks, the scythe was considered the animal of Aphrodite / Venus, Eros / Cupid and Hermes / Mercury, who used it as a messenger. And among many peoples of the world, hares, known for their frequent reproduction, denote the female process of reproduction (for example, among the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks, Celts, Indians, and so on). But among the Jews, the hare / rabbit symbolizes impiety and lust, perhaps this is partly why in Christianity the meaning of the hare is lust. However, thanks to the ability of the animal to jump quickly, straying and covering its tracks, Christians also identify it with a believer, restless and seeking salvation in God.

Which in which countries

It's no secret that some peoples especially revere some specific animals. But which ones and why?

The Egyptians, for example, especially revere cats - since antiquity. In ancient times, it was possible to lose one's life by accidentally or intentionally killing a cat, and inflicting damage on it, one could easily suffer oneself. All sorts of honors were given to cats, since, firstly, they exterminated rodents, and secondly, they were a symbol of the goddess Bast - a woman with a cat's head.

Let's return to the question of why the cow is a sacred animal in India. The fact is that the Hindus consider it a symbol of the planet, giving food and life in general. That is why this animal cannot be eaten or killed, and it should be honored no less than its own mother. And among the Japanese, in Nara Prefecture, deer are revered more than other animals - according to an old legend, it was on the back of this noble animal that Buddha arrived at his temple located here. What other animals are sacred in which countries? Sheep are in Madagascar. Locals believe that the souls of dead ancestors settle in these cute bleating artiodactyls. Therefore, it is impossible to eat a sheep on this island. But the Thais worship elephants. These animals have a special symbolism in this country - Thais believe that elephants are endowed with a magical gift. In addition, it is a symbol of peace and great strength.

Of course, this is only a small fraction of the animals and their meanings. However, you can learn a lot of new and interesting things about these representatives of the fauna.

Symbolism of the animal kingdom

The animal kingdom in its different breeds embodies the different impulses of the human psyche.

N. P. Rudnikova

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The ancient Egyptians believed that certain animals could embody cosmic and divine energies. The twelve animals of the zodiac are archetypal symbols and represent a closed cycle of energies.

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