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Wolf -

Few animals conjure up more symbolic meaning—for better or worse—than the wolf. Mysterious and intimidating, the wolf is a common motif in the mythologies and cosmologies of peoples throughout its historical range. The ancient Greeks associated wolves with Apollo, the god of light and order. The Romans connected the wolf with their god of war and agriculture, Mars. According to the writer and philosopher Dante Alighieri (c. 1265–1321), wolves were seducers, hypocrites, magicians, thieves, and liars. Native American culture is more complementary, citing the wolf as an animal of power. In fact, many tribes credit the actual creator of the earth to be a wolf. Whatever the belief, the wolf is well established for its sharp intelligence, self-reliance, and appetite for freedom.

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Snake -

In many cultures, the snake is a symbol of wisdom. In Greek mythology, snakes are the bringers of good luck. The Aztec's worshipped Quetzalcoatl, who was a large feathered serpent. Elsewhere, however, the snake gets a bad rap. In Nordic mythology, snakes are viewed as symbols of death, destruction, and pain; and the snake's association with evil and deceit has its origins in Christianity, where the snake is the animal who convinces Eve to take a bite out of the forbidden apple of knowledge. But it's not all bad. The snake today serves as a symbol of health and is present on the famous caduceus sign, which is a universal symbol of healthcare. The symbol originates from the story of Asclepius, who was revered by the ancient Greeks as a god of healing and whose cult involved the use of snakes. An example is the snake coiling round a staff in the World Health Organization logo.

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Owl -

Throughout history and across many cultures, people have regarded owls with fascination and awe. On the other hand, in some African cultures owls have often been considered birds of ill omen, the embodiment of evil spirits that lurk in dark places waiting for the moon to rise. Western culture generally equates the owl with knowledge, wisdom, and vigilance in the way ancient Greece did: Athena, Athens' patron goddess and the goddess of wisdom, had the owl as a symbol.

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Tiger -

The mighty tiger is symbolic of confidence and strength (personal and physical), and razor sharp instinct. More than just prized for its beauty and majesty, in Chinese culture tigers bear a greater symbolism—power and daring and a subject of awe and fear. Furthermore, this big cat is considered to be an embodiment of "yang," or positive energy. The tiger is a 'solar animal' in yin and yang philosophy, and associated with the sun, summer, and fire.

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Toad -

For many cultures, such as ancient Egypt, toads represented fertility and renewal. Their close relationship to water also meant they were often regarded as a symbol of cleansing. As a spirit, they appear to us to heal our mind, body, and souls. However, in numerous fairy tales and in folklore, this amphibian is seen as a creature mainly used for witchcraft purposes, in sacrificial rituals or even as a source of dark black magic.

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Bull -

Bulls have long been important symbols in many cultures, commonly associated with strength, stamina, stability, confidence, and  determination: we grab it by the horns to demonstrate our authority over situations! The bull, also known as Taurus in constellation form, has been celebrated in Paleolithic cave paintings and Bronze Age art. The bull plays an all-important role in Hindu philosophy as a sacred guardian. Similarly, in Sumerian and Hebrew culture the bull is seen as a symbol of protection.

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Cat -

While the cultural depiction of cats and their relationship to humans is old and stretches back over 9,500 years, the animal is regarded quite differently in cultures around the world. They can symbolize both good and bad luck. The ancient Egyptians, for example, believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them. Japan, on the other hand, has a long, often terrifying history of folklore involving monstrous supernatural cats. Historically, Western culture has also seen cats as bad luck symbols, with a black cat often associated with black magic. But these reclusive and evasive animals are generally perceived as lucky. After all, what other creature is granted nine lives?

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Coyote -

In some Native American coyote legends, this canine is a revered culture hero who creates, teaches, and helps humans. Indeed, it is the chief animal in the mythology and folklore of the North American Plains, California, and Southwest indigenous peoples. An enigmatic creature in many ways, the coyote symbolizes playfulness, trickery, and intelligence.

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Deer -

In many European mythologies, the deer was associated with woodland deities. For example, in Celtic religion the stag was a symbol for the god Cernunnos, "The Horned One." In English folklore, Herne the Hunter is a ghost with antlers growing from his head and who rides a horse, torments cattle, and rattles chains and tackle. William Shakespeare references Herne in his 1597 play 'The Merry Wives of Windsor.' Generally speaking, a deer symbolizes a beguiling mix of innocence, magic, fertility, luck, seduction, and curses.

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Fox -

As "cunning as a fox" is a well-oiled idiom used to describe an exceptionally shrewd, clever, and even devious character. Such is the fox, who in North American folklore is regarded as the trickster companion to the coyote. In Celtic mythology, the fox is wise and cunning, a shapeshifter who can switch between canine and human forms at will. Anyone possessed of a fox spirit is said to be quick-witted and quick-thinking.

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Elephant -

Their sheer size and grandeur has made one of the most ancient creatures on earth a truly symbolic animal in numerous cultures across Africa and Asia, where it is revered for its longevity, stamina, mental faculties, cooperative spirit, and loyalty. For centuries, India has regarded this majestic royal beast as its cultural symbol: Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings, said be a remover of obstacles and a provider of fortune and good luck.

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Frog -

Frogs, like toads, symbolize transformation and fertility. This goggle-eyed amphibian has for centuries played a variety of roles in culture. Besides fertility, the ancient Greeks and Romans associated frogs with harmony and licentiousness. And it has always been seen as the connecting animal of the Water and Earth symbol, relocating as it does between the two habitats. In the Brothers Grimm 1812 fairy tale 'The Frog Prince,' a frog who is under a wicked fairy's spell magically transforms back into a handsome prince after being kissed by a princess—the ultimate symbol of transformation.

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Monkey -

Monkeys have been a part of popular culture for millennia, referenced in very early religions including Hinduism and Buddhism. The primate is symbolic of intelligence, grace, community, and charm. It's also seen as a symbol to ward off evil: the Japanese pictorial maxim "see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil" depicts three monkeys. Those who have the monkey as their spirit animal often display a playful and mischievous character, and also enjoy a balanced and sociable lifestyle.

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Goat -

Depicted as a symbol of fertility, abundance, aggression, and good luck in many ancient civilizations, the goat is also associated with the devil and demoniac goings-on. Indeed, the goat-devil features prominently in European iconography because of its horns and weird eyes. The animal has also been associated with predatory sexual potency and energy. Fortunately, the goat's hardy nature and supreme adaptability to harsh habitats endears itself to humanity as a creature that is inspired and determined, qualities that are often required in order to overcome some of life's most difficult obstacles.

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Horse -

The domestication of the horse began as far back as 4000 BCE, and the hoofed mammal has helped shaped civilizations ever since. A powerful symbol of strength, endurance, and independence, the horse was used for food, herding, warfare, transportation, communication, competition, and agriculture. It acquired great status as a symbol of wealth and, depending on its color, played a significant role in religious symbolism. White horses, for example, represented the balance of wisdom and power in many religions and cultures, though in some sects of Christianity a white horse is still regarded as a symbol of death. Meanwhile, the horse spirit animal encourages you to set your soul free and live life to the fullest.

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Kangaroo -

The kangaroo, together with the emu, are bearers on the Australian coat of arms. This iconic marsupial remains of great cultural and spiritual significance to Aboriginal people across the nation, and stands as a symbol of courage, stamina, and agility.

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Lamb -

Lambs have a long history of being raised for food, with Christians, Jews, and Muslims celebrating Easter, Passover, and Ramadan by including lamb as an essential part of the celebratory cuisine. Symbolically, a lamb represents innocence, purity, vulnerability, and, significantly, sacrifice. In Christianity, the lamb represents Christ as both suffering and triumphant. Not surprisingly the lamb was a popular image of the early Church, frequently evoked as a symbol of Christ and the crucifixion.

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Leopard -

In line with their reverence for all things feline, the ancient Egyptians regarded leopards as symbols of divinity. In some African cultures, this big cat is worshipped as a smarter and more successful hunter than even the lion. Leopard skins are used in ceremonial wear by a number of cultural and religious groups in KwaZulu-Natal (in South Africa) and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), while in Western fashion leopard print is often worn as a statement of strength and beauty. In fact, leopards are great totems for people who are confident and strong.

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Hawk -

Hawk symbolism and meaning includes intelligence, independence, adaptability, messages, clairvoyance, and spiritual awareness. Regarded as one of Mother Nature's most valiant raptor species, these birds of prey represent courage, self-awareness, truth, and perspective. Sharing kinship with these creatures is to be imbued with intuition and inner wisdom.

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Luna moth -

In Native American mythology, the moth symbolizes rebirth, change, transformation, resurrection, and the power of regeneration. Similarly, the Luna moth—among the largest and most beautiful moth species in North America—signifies new beginnings, as they represent a continuing quest for truth and knowledge, the gift of intuition, psychic perception, and heightened awareness, all things associated with "seeing the light." Widespread but elusive, the Luna moth is said to bring luck to anyone fortunate enough to chance upon one of these delicate and incandescent insects.

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Mouse -

The mouse symbolizes many things. The diminutive rodent is associated with endurance, in that it can tolerate and adapt to a harsh climate. As a favorite food of numerous predators, the mouse is also applauded for its focus, a character trait it employs in order to evade hungry jaws and stay alive. Ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, had little time for mice, seeing them as pests and harbingers of doom. Paradoxically, the rodent was also worshipped by some, associated as they were with gods and cults, and they were even buried alongside priests, often mummified and placed in tiny coffins.

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Centipede -

The primary centipede symbolism is that of balance. But it's also associated with independence, courage, and wisdom. In Maya culture, insects and arthropods— including these multi-legged critters—appear in art in a rich and diverse context, suggesting their prominent significance in everyday life. But its alarming appearance plus the fact that some species are venomous has placed this arthropod high on the fear chart: in Japanese mythology, the Ōmukade is a giant man-eating centipede that lives in the mountains. Interestingly, 'The Centipede's Dilemma' is a 1871 poem that has lent its name to a psychological effect called the centipede effect or centipede syndrome. The poem is basically symbolic of the mundane tasks that seem automatic and simple to us, but when we start to overthink, we eventually fail to do them. In it, a centipede is asked "which leg moves after which?" Unable to answer, it falls exhausted and confused into a ditch.

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Moose -

Widespread throughout the boreal regions of North America, the moose is a grand and noble beast. In Ojibwe and Cree Native American traditions, moose are symbols of endurance and survival, and associated with pride and strength. Moose are still used today as clan animals in some indigenous peoples' cultures.

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Scorpion -

The much-maligned scorpion is a culturally significant creature, appearing as a motif in art, especially in Islamic art in the Middle East, and cited in ancient Egyptian mythology. It's in Greek mythology, however, that our imagination is captured. Gaia, the goddess of the earth and protector of the animals, was angered by Orion after he vowed to kill every living creature on the planet. Gaia asked Scorpio, a giant scorpion, to kill Orion before he could do any harm. This he did by attacking him with his stinger. As a reward for his bravery and for saving the lives of all of the animals, Gaia placed Scorpio in the night sky. When he rises, Scorpio is seen chasing Orion across the heavens.

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Spider -

Symbolic of creativity, numerous cultures attribute the spider's ability to spin webs with the origin of spinning, textile weaving, basket weaving, knotwork, and net making.  Spiders are predominantly seen as forthright feminine figures, their intellectual power far greater than physical prowess.

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Turtle -

Images of turtles are present in ancient rock art and cave paintings around the globe. And this aquatic member of the reptile family is still held in high esteem by many cultures worldwide. Due to their extraordinary longevity, turtles often symbolize wisdom and health. The fact that females produce a great number of eggs is also why it is one of the oldest symbols of fertility, motherhood, and perseverance.

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Narwhal -

Known in Western culture as the "unicorn of the sea" for the large 'tusk' that protrudes from a canine tooth, the narwhal has historically been important to the culture and traditional economy of the eastern Canadian Arctic. Since the beginning of the 19th century, Inuit hunters have relied on narwhal as an essential source of food, blubber, and raw materials. According to Inuit folklore, the narwhal's tusk was created when a woman with a harpoon rope tied around her waist was dragged into the ocean after the lance had struck a large narwhal. Suddenly she was transformed into a whale, her hair, which she was wearing in a twisted knot, becoming the characteristic spiral narwhal tusk.

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Blackbird -

For millennia, the common blackbird has been welcomed either as a good omen or the messenger of bad news—its dark plumage has sometimes lent associations with magic, mystics, and witches. But this sooty-hued passerine redeems itself with one of the bird world's most distinctive and melodious calls, a song even the Beatles thought beautiful enough to include in their 1968 composition 'Blackbird.'

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Squirrel -

Energetic and constantly on the move seeking out food either to eat immediately or store for later use, the squirrel is symbolic of energy and preparation. In some cultures, this playful rodent is a sacred animal. It is sometimes connected with various gods, especially those associated with powerful forces of nature. The red squirrel, however, has on occasion been associated with the devil on account of its fiery coat. On an upbeat note, to be described as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is to be equated with the squirrel's penchant for fun and socializing.

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Locust -

A species of short-horned grasshopper, locusts have formed plagues since prehistory. Feared and revered in equal measure, these insects form enormous swarms that spread across regions, and have devastated societies since the pharaohs led ancient Egypt. The insects are mentioned in the Iliad, the Mahabharata, and the Bible. Curiously perhaps, given their ruinous appetites, the ancient Egyptians were in awe enough of these ravenous insects to carve them on their tombs. Locusts are edible, and are considered a delicacy in many countries.

Sources: (WHO) (BBC) (Smithsonian Magazine) (Anthropologie) (Ocean Portal) 

See also: The truth behind the plagues of Egypt 

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