Popular Animal Symbolism

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 animals and their symbolism.

Bear  

• Strength and confidence
• Standing against adversity
• Taking action
• Leadership
• Healing or using healing abilities to help self or others
• Solitude, quiet time, rest
• Grounding
• Bravery
• Peace
• Resurrection
• Powerful
• Benevolence
• Sovereignty
• Motherhood
• Duality

Butterfly 

• Powerful transformation 
• Metamorphosis in your life or personality
• Moving through different life cycles
• Renewal
• Rebirth
• Lightness of being
• Playfulness
• Soul
• Grace
• Growth
• Elegance
• Expansion
• Surrender
• Transition
• Expression
• Celebration
• Resurrection
• Vulnerability

Crow

• Life magic
• Mystery of creation
• Destiny  
• Personal transformation  
• Alchemy
• Intelligence
• Higher perspective
• Being fearless, audacious
• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Mischievousness
• Introspection  
• Self-knowledge  
• Courage  
• Magic  
• Mysteries  
• Shape-shifting  
• Creation
• Divination  
• Wisdom  
• Truth
• Answers  
• Secrets
• Messages  
• Instruction
• Change

Deer 

•  Gentleness
• Ability to move through life and obstacles with grace
• Being in touch with inner child  
• Innocence
• Being sensitive and intuitive
• Vigilance  
• Ability to change directions quickly
• Magical ability to regenerate  
• Being in touch with life’s mysteries
• Love
• Peace
• Beauty
• Fertility
• Humility
• Swiftness
• Regrowth
• Creativity
• Spirituality
• Abundance
• Benevolence
• Watchfulness

Dragonfly 

• Change and transformation
• Adaptability
• Joy
• Lightness of being
• Symbol of the realm of emotions  
• Invitation to dive deeper into your feeling
• Being on the lookout for illusions and deceits, whether are external or personal
• Connection with nature’s spirits, fairies realms
• Prosperity
• Good luck
• Strength
• Peace
• Harmony
• Purity

Fox

• Physical or mental responsiveness  
• Increased awareness
• Cunning  
• Seeing through deception
• Ability to find your way around, to be swift in tricky situations
• Affinity with nocturnal activities and dream work
• Strategy
• Quick-thinking
• Adaptability
• Cleverness
• Wisdom
• Passion
• Desire
• Intensity
• Expression

Hawk

•   Hawk is the messenger of the spirit world
• Taking the lead when the time is right
• Strong connection with spirit, increased spiritual awareness
• Observant
• Cunning
• Decisive
• Visionaries
• Leaders
• Creative
• Strategic
• Messengers

Horse

• Balance between instinctive and tamed part of your personality.
• Sexual energy, especially – but not limited to – masculine energy
• Strong emotions, passionate desires
• Power
• Grace
• Beauty
• Nobility
• Strength
• Freedom

Hummingbird

• Lightness of being, enjoyment of life
• Being more present
• Independence
• Bringing playfulness and joy in your life
• Lifting up negativity
• Swiftness, ability to respond quickly
• Resiliency, being able to travel great distances tirelessly
• Energy
• Vitality
• Renewal
• Sincerity
• Healing
• Persistence
• Peace
• Infinity
• Agility
• Loyalty
• Affection

Lion

• Strength  
• Assertiveness
• Personal power
• Predatory feelings, such as anger, aggression directed at someone else or towards you
• Personal struggle
• Wisdom
• Power
• Royalty
• Dignity
• Courage
• Justice
• Ferocity
• Dominion
• Authority

Owl

• Intuition
• Intuitive abilities
• Seeing what’s hidden
• Wisdom
• Spirit messenger
• Connection with higher self
• Announcer of change
• Mystery
• Transition
• Messages
• Intelligence
• Mysticism
• Protection
• Secrets

Snake

• Healing
• Transformation  
• Life changes
• Connected to life force, primal energy
• Spiritual guidance
• Cycles
• Rebirth
• Patience
• Fertility
• Eternity
• Balance
• Cunning
• Intuition
• Awareness
• Healing
• Intellect
• Protection
• Solemnity
• Rejuvenation
• Transformation
• Occult (hidden) Knowledge
• Male/Female, Yin-Yang, Duality

Spider 

• Patience
• Receptivity
• Feminine energy
• Creativity
• Weaver of life’s fate
• Shadow self, dark aspects of life or personality
• Cunning
• Progressive
• Cyclical
• Rebirth
• Death
• Crafty
• Resourceful
• Creation
• Protection
• Fate

Tiger

• Willpower  
• Personal strength
• Courage
• Power
• Energy
• Royalty
• Protection
• Generosity
• Illumination
• Unpredictability

Turtle

• Ability to stay grounded, even in moments of disturbances and chaos
• Determination  
• Persistence
• Ancient wisdom
• Order
• Creation
• Patience
• Strength
• Stability
• Longevity
• Innocence
• Endurance
• Protection

Wolf

• Sharp intelligence
• Deep connection with instincts
• Appetite for freedom
• Expression of strong instincts
• Loyalty
• Cunning
• Generosity
• Intelligence
• Friendliness
• Compassionate
• Communication

Sources:

http://www.spiritanimal.info/animal-meanings/

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-totems.html 

http://alltotems.com/animal-totems-a-z/