As humans we
often have affiliations towards certain animals – whether in our waking lives
or through our dreams. Some consider knowing what these animals symbolise can
help to unlock parts of the self that are hidden or needing working on.
Below is a
list of the most common mythical animals and their symbolism.
Dragon
The Dragon
represents prosperity which may be of spiritual enlightenment rather than
material riches, the guardian of treasures that lay hidden deep within the
unconscious
Fire Dragon - Vitality, enthusiasm and courage, help in overcoming obstacles
Air Dragon
- Great flashes of intellect and psyche, insight and clarity,
trust your inner voice
Earth Dragon
- Power, potential, riches
Water Dragon
- Redirect your enthusiasm
Key Meanings:
- Born of Fire
- Protector
- Exists between thoughts
- Ability to move between worlds
- Connection to the birth of the Universe
Griffin
A magical lion/bird guardian of sacred arcane
libraries. It is said that no one can pass a Griffin if they are fearful,
greedy, or have no self-confidence; they are refused entrance. It symbolizes a
need to protect something powerful within by the use of fierce boundaries.
Wisdom, agility, flexibility, persistence, guardian of hidden treasures,
guardian of the path to spiritual enlightenment, a symbol of the divine nature,
Griffins mated for life and if their partner died they would continue alone
forever.
Key Meanings:
- Deep connection to Red
- Making daring leaps of faith
- Ability to look deep into one's soul to find answers
- Connection to Fire
- Physical protection
- Severe revenge tactics
- Ability to feel with every bit of the soul
- Protector of young children
- Ability to soar above the fray
- Knows of the balance within nature
Mermaid
A legendary
being of the sea, whose body is configured as half woman, half fish. Mermaids are commonly portrayed as being
mesmerizing seductresses who lure men with their provocative beauty. While many
a sailor has mistaken a dugong or other sea mammal for a mermaid, it is the way
of this water nymph of the sea. The mermaid is akin to these creatures even to
the point of being able to shape shift into one. The mermaid is a symbol of
beauty and transformation, as well as an archetype of the classic dark female
of mythology, (such as Lilith), leading us into the realm of the deep sea (the
unconscious). Mermaids call us to the
unknown, urging us to abandon what we are and to become something new. If a
mermaid has appeared you it may indicate a need to be near water to draw upon
the energies associated with the element of water.
Pegasus (The Winged Horse)
Pegasus
comes to us from Greek mythology. He was born of the blood of Medusa as she was
beheaded by the hero Perseus. Pegasus was concerned with sacred places and
guarding them. He is the inspirer of rising above difficulties and teaches the
importance of having quick and agile wisdom, as well as humility and knowing
one's boundaries. In modern times,
Pegasus is seen as the symbol for the immortality of the soul, and as the
carrier and protector that guards the spirit in its journeys into the astral
plane. Pegasus is the power of the creative spirit in all of us. Pegasus is the
horse of the Muses and in the service of poets. He is the symbol of inspiration,
and of the beauty we bring to our life and the lives of others. Pegasus, calls
you to create, in music, in poetry, in writing, in art and to share your
expressions of beauty.
Key Meanings:
- Protector
- Gives inspiration
- Connected to astral travel
- Boundaries
- Humility
- Emotion
- Connected to lightning wisdom
- Ability to fly over any situation
Phoenix
The Greek
Phoenix is a bird-like creature, that lives
for 1000 years. Once that time is over, it builds its own funeral pyre,
and throws itself into the flames. As it dies, it is reborn anew, and rises
from the ashes to live another 1000 years.
Phoenix symbolizes immortality, reincarnation and eternal light, the
Phoenix brings with it a desire for change.
When Phoenix comes it is likely that you are ready for a significant
change, a renewal, a fresh perspective, or even a life-changing
transformation. ‘Arising from the ashes!’ (In ancient Egypt the Phoenix is called the
Bennu Bird)
‘The bird
proudly willing to burn,
So that he
may live again,
Chooses the
flames of fires
That burn
the aged Phoenix
The nature
stands still
Till a new
young bird starts again,
and begins
the legend of the Phoenix’.
Key Meanings:
- Keeper of the Fires of Creation
- Protector of all Fire
- Death and Rebirth
- Regeneration
- Connection to the Raven/ the Crow
Unicorn
The ability
to negate the effects of venom and poisons, the magick to make dreams become
reality, connection to the spirits of the forest with its fauns and
fairies. The magick of the unicorn can
effect the weather. The legend of Zeus
and the ‘horn of plenty’ may be the origin of the myth of the Unicorn.
Key Meanings:
- Purity
- Innocence
- Virginity
- Connection to weather patterns
- Connection to the forest spirits
- Relative of Pegasus
- Connection to the Faeries
- Often makes contact under blooming fruit trees
Wyvern
Revenge and
retribution, creating protective barriers of fear as a defence. They can also
symbolize envy, viciousness, war and pestilence. (Wyverns are heraldic dragons
that look much like birds. They have two legs and a pair of wings. Sometimes
these wings are depicted as ‘hands’, such that they can claps each other when
the wings are folded. Wyverns are usually small and have wedge-shaped heads,
but are sometimes depicted with smaller, more rounded heads. In addition to a
beak-like jaw, which would be necessarily for the wyvern to carry food, the
wyvern might also have a, a tail with a poison sting at the end of it.)
Sources:
http://209.240.155.221/animals-mythical.html
http://spiritwalkministry.com/spirit_guides/mythic_animal_spirits
http://www.animalspirits.com/mythicallist.html
