Lesson 3
Animals & Colors Used As Symbols
Open discussion with "Why do you think we use an eagle as America's symbol? What attributes of the eagle do we want to portray about our nation?" Pass around a dollar bill and discuss the eagle on the back and its symbolism.
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/triviadollar.htm
What ideas come to mind when you think of a crow? In some cultures a crow symbolizes a messenger, death, wisdom, communication, and the underworld. In these two paintings by Amy L. Rawson she uses reference to the celtic legends of Morrighan (goddess of war and death) and Odin's twin ravens Hugin & Munin as messengers of the worlds news. Do the colors used in these paintings help portray their message? What if the artist used oranges and yellows instead of blues and black? How would the color change the feel of the picture?
http://thirdroar.com/digitalart/
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/triviadollar.htm
What ideas come to mind when you think of a crow? In some cultures a crow symbolizes a messenger, death, wisdom, communication, and the underworld. In these two paintings by Amy L. Rawson she uses reference to the celtic legends of Morrighan (goddess of war and death) and Odin's twin ravens Hugin & Munin as messengers of the worlds news. Do the colors used in these paintings help portray their message? What if the artist used oranges and yellows instead of blues and black? How would the color change the feel of the picture?
http://thirdroar.com/digitalart/
Animals and Colors have been used as symbols throughout time and spanning different cultures. Artists have also used them to symbolize personal attributes and attitudes for humans. Colors can be used to symbolize qualities or attributes as well, provide the color chart and animal listings below to the class. Discuss with the students a few of these animals and their meanings as some cultures view them, then pose the question: "What animal do you think can be used as a symbol for you," and "what animals can be used as a symbol for your family members or friends," "What color best represents them?" Have the students prepare a short writing answering these questions and why they have chosen the colors and animals they have (ie: My mother is a Purple Deer because she is wise, kind, gentle and loving. My baby brother is a Orange Raccoon because he is so curious and always wants to be held. My best friend Sebastian is a Blue Roadrunner because he can outrun anyone and is very trustworthy.) Students will share these writings with the class. Pose this question to the other classmates: "What other animals and colors do you think can represent this student and why."
Provide the following color chart to the students to use as references for their projects:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:RoUEbQ73hgMJ:room3tai.wikispaces.com/file/view/Colour%2BSymbolism%2BChart.doc+culture+Color+Symbolism+Chart&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Provide the following list to the students to use as references for their projects (which was collected from):
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/animals2.htm
The following animals appear in a variety of cultures and represent a variety of things.
Alligator - Aggression, survival, adaptability. Cunning, deceptive.
Ant - Group minded, perseverance, self-discipline, group effort, teamwork, industriousness, orderliness,
virtue. Strength, stamina, honor.
Antelope - Lunar animal, associated with the Mother. Grace, beauty.
Ape/Monkey - Mischief, mimicry, cunning, benevolence. Humanity, nurture.
Baboon - Hailer of the dawn.
Badger - Supernatural power, mischief, playful. Other world, wisdom, caring.
Bat - Guardian of the night, cleaner, obscurity, messenger, double nature, happiness, good luck, longevity, peace; also - hypocrisy, melancholy, revenge, wisdom.
Bee - Immortality, rebirth, industry, order, purity, soul, chastity, messengers between worlds, secret wisdom, Mother and priestesses. Community.
Birds - The soul, transcendence, spirits of air, ascent, communication, freedom, sight.
Bear - Primal power, mother, cunning, healer, gentle strength, dreaming, sovereignty, intuition married with instinct. Nurturing, protective.
Bear Paw - Power, direction, connection to creator.
Beaver - Builder, gatherer.
Blackbird - Enchantment, the Gateway, the inner call. Guide, illumination.
Boar - The warrior spirit, leadership, direction, lust, gluttony, fertility, prophecy, magic, protection, hospitality.
Buffalo - Sacredness, life builder. The buffalo provides all good things for living, and bestows great curing
powers.
Bull - Wealth, potency, beneficence, generative force, male procreative strength, kingship, taming of the
masculine and animal nature. Destructive force.
Butterfly - Metamorphosis, carefree, transformer, immortality, rebirth, resurrection. Grace, light, soul.
Cat - Guardianship, detachment, sensuality, stealth, desire, liberty, pleasure, magic, lust, pride, vanity.
Cock - Solar, courage, vigilance, supremacy, passion, pride, the underworld.
Cougar - Leadership, courage, power, swiftness and balance.
Cow - Nourishment, motherhood, power of Earth, plenty, procreation, gentleness, nurturing.
Coyote - Prankster, insight, playful. The coyote symbolizes duality and the ability to present both sides of an issue. Clowning and humor, perhaps sarcastic.
Crane - Solitude, independence, messenger, communion, higher state of consciousness, wisdom, knowledge.
Crocodile - Devourer, liberation, guardian, dual nature, conscious and unconscious, fertility, brutality,
viciousness, deceit, treachery.
Crow - Messenger, death, wisdom, communication, the underworld.
Deer - Love, gentleness, kindness, gracefulness, sensitivity, purity of purpose, walking in the light, swift, nimble, meek, gentle, meditation, longevity, wealth.
Dog - Guidance, protection, loyalty, fidelity, faithfulness, watchfulness, the Hunt.
Dolphin - Kindness, play, savior, guide, sea power, swift, intelligence, communication, breath control, awareness of tone.
Donkey - Humility, patience, peace, stupidity, stubbornness, lewdness.
Dragon - Power of Earth, combining bird and serpent as matter and spirit, breath of life, supernatural power, magic, strength, wisdom, knowledge, guardian.
Dragonfly - Flighty, carefree, swift, activity, shamanistic, supernatural powers.
Eagle - Divine spirit, air, the sun, power in battle, protection from evil, clear vision, success, prosperity, wealth, intelligence, renewal, courage.
Elephant - Strength, fidelity, memory, patience, wisdom, intelligence, power.
Elk - Strength, agility, freedom, power, nobility.
Fox - Cunning, provider, intelligence, feminine magic, diplomacy, wildness.
Frog - Power of water, sensitivity, medicine, hidden beauty, power.
Goat - Vitality, fertility, creativity, virility, abundance, lust.
Goose - Guardian, watchful, wind, the sun, war, inspiration, swift, happiness, providence.
Grizzly Bear - Mother, nature's pharmacist
Hare - rebirth, rejuvenation, resurrection, intuition, balance, fertility, fire, madness, transformation.
Hawk - Nobility, recollection, cleansing, messenger, observer, Solar, clarity, discrimination, inspiration, the soul.
Heron - Vigilance, quiet, power of water, the underworld, tact, delicacy, renewal, life, transformation.
Horse - Stamina, mobility, strength and power, coping under difficult circumstances, love, devotion, loyalty, the land, travel. Life and death symbol, intellect, wisdom, power, nobility, energy, freedom, wildness, divination, prophecy, fertility.
Hummingbird - Messenger, stopper of time, optimism, sweetness.
Jackal - Guide of souls, associated with cemeteries.
Jaguar - Messenger, forest spirits, power.
Kingfisher - Beauty, dignity, speed, calmness, serenity.
Leopard - Ferocity, aggression, intrepid, Great Watcher, courage, activity, speed.
Lion - Solar, splendor, power, majesty, strength, courage, nobility.
Lizard - Conservation, agility, promotes dreaming.
Moose - Headstrong, unstoppable, longevity, value, integrity.
Octopus - The spiral, water, unconscious.
Otter - Laughter, curiosity, mischievous, feminine power, grace, empathy, joy, play, helpfulness.
Owl - Wisdom, truth, patience, darkness, a death messenger, divination, solitude, detachment, wisdom, change, totem of clairvoyants and mystics.
Python - Darkness, feminine, power of Earth, wisdom.
Rabbit - Alertness, nurturing.
Ram - Sacrifice, breakthrough, achievement, virility, creativity, the Sun, solar power.
Raven - Trickster, teacher, hoarder, healing, initiation, protection, shaman's power, transformation, change in consciousness, mark of a shape shifter.
Salmon - Instinct, persistence, determination, wisdom, inspiration, rejuvenation.
Seahorse - Confidence, grace.
Serpent - Life, rebirth, resurrection, wisdom, passion, healing, poison, preserver, destroyer, malice, fertility.
Shark - Hunter, survival, adaptability.
Snake - Shrewdness, transformation, life, death and rebirth, rain, fertility.
Spider - Creative, pattern of life, connects the past with the future, creating possibilities.
Stag - Pride, independence, purification.
Swan - Grace, balance, innocence, faithfulness, solitude, retreat, poetry, sincerity.
Tiger - Creator, destroyer, strength, ferocity, power, anger, power of Earth.
Turtle - Self contained, creative source, Earth, informed decisions, planning, adaptability.
Unicorn - Chastity, purity, dreams, virtue, strength, integrity, magic, healing, freedom.
Whale - Power of Water, regeneration, death, rebirth.
Wolf - Loyalty, success, perseverance, stability, thought, pathfinder, teacher, intuition, learning, the shadow.
Wolf Print - Tracking, movement.
Woodpecker - Prophecy, magic, power, guardian of trees, Heralds rain and storms.
Wren - Spirit, witchcraft, the Oak King.
NATIVE AMERICAN: The following animal symbols come from a variety of tribal nations and may be different from nation to nation.
Alligator - Stealth, Aggression, survival, adaptability.
Ant - The ant represents self-discipline and a group effort or teamwork, patience, diligence and Work
Antelope - Taking Action
Armadillo - Boundaries, Self Protection
Badger - Aggressiveness, Passion and Drive
Bat - The bat is the guardian of the night, cleaner, Death and Rebirth on Personal, Spiritual Level
Bear - Power, mother cunning, healer, gentle strength, dreaming, Gentle Strength, Introspection and Dreaming
Bear Paw - Power, direction, connection to creator.
Beaver - The beaver is a builder or gatherer, Accomplishing Goals
Buffalo - Abundance, Survival Needs Met, Good Fortune, Healing, Sacredness, life builder. The buffalo provides all good things for living, and bestows great curing powers.
Bumblebee - Honesty, Pure Thinking, Willingness and Drive
Butterfly - Self Transformation, Balance, Grace, Metamorphosis, Carefree, Transformer.
Caribou - Travel and Mobility
Cougar - Leadership, courage, power, swiftness and balance.
Coyote - The Trickster, Humor, Charm, Folly of Self-Deception and Survival, Prankster, insight, playful. The coyote symbolizes duality and the ability to present both sides of an issue. Clowning and humor, perhaps sarcastic.
Crane - Water, End of Summer, Migration, Solitude, independence.
Cricket - Singing, Spring, Fertility
Crow - Sacred Law, Gateway To Supernatural, Shape Shifting, Illusion
Deer - Love, gentleness, kindness, gracefulness and sensitivity. Deer carries the message of purity of purpose, and of walking in the light.
Dog - Protection, Loyalty, Companionship
Dolphin - Joy, Harmony, Connection with self, kindness, play, bridge man to ocean, Intelligence, Self Connection. Dolphin brings us teachings from the water. Breath control and the awareness of tone is also Dolphin power.
Dove - Love, Gentleness and Kindness
Dragonfly - Dreamtime, Illusion, Spring, Water, Flighty, carefree. Dragonflies symbolize whirlwind, swiftness and activity. The dragonfly is an important insect in Zuni legend, where they are shamanistic creatures with supernatural powers. In Hopi rock art, the dragonfly is symbolized by a vertical line with two or sometimes one, horizontal cross line. Skill, Refinement, Relentlessness
Eagle - Spirit Connection to Higher Realms, Courage, Divine spirit, chief of all the creatures in the air, the primary servant of the sun. Powerful in battle, the eagle protects the people from evil. Eagle medicine attributes include clear vision and soaring spirit. The eagle is associated with success, prosperity and wealth. In the Zuni Tradition, the Eagle symbolizes the direction Up. Potency, Healing, Power, Illumination
Elk - Strength, agility, freedom, power and nobility. Pride, Power, Majesty
Feather - Spirit
Firefly - Communication, Illumination
Fish - Water, Current, Flow of Life From the Earth
Fox - Camouflage, Adaptability and Integration, Cunning, provider, intelligence. Fox represents twilight and feminine magic. Cleverness, Subtlety, Discretion
Frog - Fluidity, Water and Rain, Cleansing, Tears, Peace, Emotional Healing, Connection with water element.
Goat - Tenacity, Diligence
Goose - Safe return, Love of home
Grizzly Bear - Mother, nature's pharmacist.
Hawk - Awareness, Truth, Foresight, Messenger of the sky, observer.
Hedgehog - Self-preservation
Heron - Patience, Grace
Horse - Carrier Of Burdens, Stamina, mobility, strength and power. The horse was introduced to the plains tribes by the Spanish. Shamans are often pictured flying on mythical horses. Horses can symbolize coping under difficult circumstances. Horse is love and devotion, loyalty, Freedom.
Hummingbird - Pure Love and Joy, Celebration of Life, Beauty, Wonder, Agility, Messenger, stopper of time. It represents optimism and sweetness. Being able to roll with the punches is an attribute of Hummingbird.
Kokepeli - Joy, Fertility
Ladybug - Delight, Trust
Lion - Pride, Nobility, Cunning, Courage
Lizard - Dreaming, Foresight, Ancient Secrets, Letting go, Illusiveness, Conservation, agility. Lizard promotes dreaming.
Loon - Peace, Tranquility, Generosity, Communication, Serenity
Lynx - Keeper of Mystical Secrets
Moose - Self Esteem, Assertiveness, Unpredictability, Spontaneity, Headstrong, unstoppable longevity. Moose represents value and integrity.
Mouse - Scrutiny, Attention to Detail, Illusion, Charm
Opossum - Strategy and Diversion
Otter - Joy, Lightness, Laughter, curiosity, mischievous, Earth and Water, Balanced Feminine Energy. Otter is a feminine power, and the symbol of grace and empathy.
Owl - Wisdom, Vision, Insight, truth, patience, Magic, Astral Projection. The Mescalero believe that Owl carries the souls of the recently deceased, a death messenger. Owl is the totem of clairvoyants and mystics.
Parrot Feather - Bringer of Essential Rain and Seed
Peacock - Pride, Recognition, Self-Assurance
Pelican - Abundance, Plenty
Pheasant - Warning, Concealment
Porcupine - Innocence, Humility, Trust
Quail - Protectiveness, Group harmony
Rabbit - Conquering fear, Safety, Alertness, nurturing, Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
Raccoon - Curiosity, Inquisitiveness
Ram - Strength, Determination
Raven - Bringer of Magic and Light, Creation and Knowledge, Trickster, teacher, hoarder, Mystery, Exploration of the unknown. To Pacific Northwest Coast tribes, Raven represented the shaman's powers and a belief in transformation between human and animal spirits. Raven symbolizes change in consciousness and is the mark of a shape shifter.
Roadrunner - Speed, Agility
Salmon - Instinct, Determination, Persistence, Dependability and Renewal
Sandpiper - Quickness, Foraging, Scavenging
Scorpion - Defense, Self-protection, Biting Truth
Seagull - Carefree attitude, Versatility, Freedom
Seahorse - Confidence, grace, Nourishing, Fathering
Seal - Contentment, Inquisitiveness, Organization
Shark - Hunter, survival, adaptability.
Skunk - Perseverance, Determination, Reputation, Respect, Caution
Snail - Perseverance, Determination
Snake - Power, Life force, Sexual potency, Shrewdness, transformation, Life, death and rebirth are represented by the shedding of skin. Among the Pueblo Indians snakes and lightning are equated with rain and fertility.
Spider - The Web of life, Interconnectedness, Industry, Creative, pattern of life, Weaving, Symbolism. Spider connects the past with the future, creating possibilities. Spider-woman is a major Pueblo goddess.
Squirrel - Gathering, Preparation, Trust, Thrift
Swan - Elegance, Nurturing, Grace, balance, innocence, Surrender to the Universal Plan.
Tadpole - Fertility and Renewal, Transformation
Turkey - Give Away, Sacrifice of Self and Others
Turtle - Love & Protection, Healing, Knowledge, Self contained, creative source. Turtle represents Mother Earth. Informed decisions, planning and adaptability are attributes of Turtle.
Weasel - Stealth, Information Gathering
Whale - Historical Record Keeper, Traveler, Guardian, Creativity, Intuition
Wolf - Teaching skill, Loyalty, Interdependence, Loyalty, success, perseverance, stability and thought. Wolves are also regarded as pathfinders and teachers. Wolf is represented by the constellation Sirius, the Dog. In the Zuni tradition the Wolf symbolizes the direction East. Wolf Print--Tracking, movement.
Woodpecker - Change, Persistence
Provide the following color chart to the students to use as references for their projects:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:RoUEbQ73hgMJ:room3tai.wikispaces.com/file/view/Colour%2BSymbolism%2BChart.doc+culture+Color+Symbolism+Chart&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Provide the following list to the students to use as references for their projects (which was collected from):
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/animals2.htm
The following animals appear in a variety of cultures and represent a variety of things.
Alligator - Aggression, survival, adaptability. Cunning, deceptive.
Ant - Group minded, perseverance, self-discipline, group effort, teamwork, industriousness, orderliness,
virtue. Strength, stamina, honor.
Antelope - Lunar animal, associated with the Mother. Grace, beauty.
Ape/Monkey - Mischief, mimicry, cunning, benevolence. Humanity, nurture.
Baboon - Hailer of the dawn.
Badger - Supernatural power, mischief, playful. Other world, wisdom, caring.
Bat - Guardian of the night, cleaner, obscurity, messenger, double nature, happiness, good luck, longevity, peace; also - hypocrisy, melancholy, revenge, wisdom.
Bee - Immortality, rebirth, industry, order, purity, soul, chastity, messengers between worlds, secret wisdom, Mother and priestesses. Community.
Birds - The soul, transcendence, spirits of air, ascent, communication, freedom, sight.
Bear - Primal power, mother, cunning, healer, gentle strength, dreaming, sovereignty, intuition married with instinct. Nurturing, protective.
Bear Paw - Power, direction, connection to creator.
Beaver - Builder, gatherer.
Blackbird - Enchantment, the Gateway, the inner call. Guide, illumination.
Boar - The warrior spirit, leadership, direction, lust, gluttony, fertility, prophecy, magic, protection, hospitality.
Buffalo - Sacredness, life builder. The buffalo provides all good things for living, and bestows great curing
powers.
Bull - Wealth, potency, beneficence, generative force, male procreative strength, kingship, taming of the
masculine and animal nature. Destructive force.
Butterfly - Metamorphosis, carefree, transformer, immortality, rebirth, resurrection. Grace, light, soul.
Cat - Guardianship, detachment, sensuality, stealth, desire, liberty, pleasure, magic, lust, pride, vanity.
Cock - Solar, courage, vigilance, supremacy, passion, pride, the underworld.
Cougar - Leadership, courage, power, swiftness and balance.
Cow - Nourishment, motherhood, power of Earth, plenty, procreation, gentleness, nurturing.
Coyote - Prankster, insight, playful. The coyote symbolizes duality and the ability to present both sides of an issue. Clowning and humor, perhaps sarcastic.
Crane - Solitude, independence, messenger, communion, higher state of consciousness, wisdom, knowledge.
Crocodile - Devourer, liberation, guardian, dual nature, conscious and unconscious, fertility, brutality,
viciousness, deceit, treachery.
Crow - Messenger, death, wisdom, communication, the underworld.
Deer - Love, gentleness, kindness, gracefulness, sensitivity, purity of purpose, walking in the light, swift, nimble, meek, gentle, meditation, longevity, wealth.
Dog - Guidance, protection, loyalty, fidelity, faithfulness, watchfulness, the Hunt.
Dolphin - Kindness, play, savior, guide, sea power, swift, intelligence, communication, breath control, awareness of tone.
Donkey - Humility, patience, peace, stupidity, stubbornness, lewdness.
Dragon - Power of Earth, combining bird and serpent as matter and spirit, breath of life, supernatural power, magic, strength, wisdom, knowledge, guardian.
Dragonfly - Flighty, carefree, swift, activity, shamanistic, supernatural powers.
Eagle - Divine spirit, air, the sun, power in battle, protection from evil, clear vision, success, prosperity, wealth, intelligence, renewal, courage.
Elephant - Strength, fidelity, memory, patience, wisdom, intelligence, power.
Elk - Strength, agility, freedom, power, nobility.
Fox - Cunning, provider, intelligence, feminine magic, diplomacy, wildness.
Frog - Power of water, sensitivity, medicine, hidden beauty, power.
Goat - Vitality, fertility, creativity, virility, abundance, lust.
Goose - Guardian, watchful, wind, the sun, war, inspiration, swift, happiness, providence.
Grizzly Bear - Mother, nature's pharmacist
Hare - rebirth, rejuvenation, resurrection, intuition, balance, fertility, fire, madness, transformation.
Hawk - Nobility, recollection, cleansing, messenger, observer, Solar, clarity, discrimination, inspiration, the soul.
Heron - Vigilance, quiet, power of water, the underworld, tact, delicacy, renewal, life, transformation.
Horse - Stamina, mobility, strength and power, coping under difficult circumstances, love, devotion, loyalty, the land, travel. Life and death symbol, intellect, wisdom, power, nobility, energy, freedom, wildness, divination, prophecy, fertility.
Hummingbird - Messenger, stopper of time, optimism, sweetness.
Jackal - Guide of souls, associated with cemeteries.
Jaguar - Messenger, forest spirits, power.
Kingfisher - Beauty, dignity, speed, calmness, serenity.
Leopard - Ferocity, aggression, intrepid, Great Watcher, courage, activity, speed.
Lion - Solar, splendor, power, majesty, strength, courage, nobility.
Lizard - Conservation, agility, promotes dreaming.
Moose - Headstrong, unstoppable, longevity, value, integrity.
Octopus - The spiral, water, unconscious.
Otter - Laughter, curiosity, mischievous, feminine power, grace, empathy, joy, play, helpfulness.
Owl - Wisdom, truth, patience, darkness, a death messenger, divination, solitude, detachment, wisdom, change, totem of clairvoyants and mystics.
Python - Darkness, feminine, power of Earth, wisdom.
Rabbit - Alertness, nurturing.
Ram - Sacrifice, breakthrough, achievement, virility, creativity, the Sun, solar power.
Raven - Trickster, teacher, hoarder, healing, initiation, protection, shaman's power, transformation, change in consciousness, mark of a shape shifter.
Salmon - Instinct, persistence, determination, wisdom, inspiration, rejuvenation.
Seahorse - Confidence, grace.
Serpent - Life, rebirth, resurrection, wisdom, passion, healing, poison, preserver, destroyer, malice, fertility.
Shark - Hunter, survival, adaptability.
Snake - Shrewdness, transformation, life, death and rebirth, rain, fertility.
Spider - Creative, pattern of life, connects the past with the future, creating possibilities.
Stag - Pride, independence, purification.
Swan - Grace, balance, innocence, faithfulness, solitude, retreat, poetry, sincerity.
Tiger - Creator, destroyer, strength, ferocity, power, anger, power of Earth.
Turtle - Self contained, creative source, Earth, informed decisions, planning, adaptability.
Unicorn - Chastity, purity, dreams, virtue, strength, integrity, magic, healing, freedom.
Whale - Power of Water, regeneration, death, rebirth.
Wolf - Loyalty, success, perseverance, stability, thought, pathfinder, teacher, intuition, learning, the shadow.
Wolf Print - Tracking, movement.
Woodpecker - Prophecy, magic, power, guardian of trees, Heralds rain and storms.
Wren - Spirit, witchcraft, the Oak King.
NATIVE AMERICAN: The following animal symbols come from a variety of tribal nations and may be different from nation to nation.
Alligator - Stealth, Aggression, survival, adaptability.
Ant - The ant represents self-discipline and a group effort or teamwork, patience, diligence and Work
Antelope - Taking Action
Armadillo - Boundaries, Self Protection
Badger - Aggressiveness, Passion and Drive
Bat - The bat is the guardian of the night, cleaner, Death and Rebirth on Personal, Spiritual Level
Bear - Power, mother cunning, healer, gentle strength, dreaming, Gentle Strength, Introspection and Dreaming
Bear Paw - Power, direction, connection to creator.
Beaver - The beaver is a builder or gatherer, Accomplishing Goals
Buffalo - Abundance, Survival Needs Met, Good Fortune, Healing, Sacredness, life builder. The buffalo provides all good things for living, and bestows great curing powers.
Bumblebee - Honesty, Pure Thinking, Willingness and Drive
Butterfly - Self Transformation, Balance, Grace, Metamorphosis, Carefree, Transformer.
Caribou - Travel and Mobility
Cougar - Leadership, courage, power, swiftness and balance.
Coyote - The Trickster, Humor, Charm, Folly of Self-Deception and Survival, Prankster, insight, playful. The coyote symbolizes duality and the ability to present both sides of an issue. Clowning and humor, perhaps sarcastic.
Crane - Water, End of Summer, Migration, Solitude, independence.
Cricket - Singing, Spring, Fertility
Crow - Sacred Law, Gateway To Supernatural, Shape Shifting, Illusion
Deer - Love, gentleness, kindness, gracefulness and sensitivity. Deer carries the message of purity of purpose, and of walking in the light.
Dog - Protection, Loyalty, Companionship
Dolphin - Joy, Harmony, Connection with self, kindness, play, bridge man to ocean, Intelligence, Self Connection. Dolphin brings us teachings from the water. Breath control and the awareness of tone is also Dolphin power.
Dove - Love, Gentleness and Kindness
Dragonfly - Dreamtime, Illusion, Spring, Water, Flighty, carefree. Dragonflies symbolize whirlwind, swiftness and activity. The dragonfly is an important insect in Zuni legend, where they are shamanistic creatures with supernatural powers. In Hopi rock art, the dragonfly is symbolized by a vertical line with two or sometimes one, horizontal cross line. Skill, Refinement, Relentlessness
Eagle - Spirit Connection to Higher Realms, Courage, Divine spirit, chief of all the creatures in the air, the primary servant of the sun. Powerful in battle, the eagle protects the people from evil. Eagle medicine attributes include clear vision and soaring spirit. The eagle is associated with success, prosperity and wealth. In the Zuni Tradition, the Eagle symbolizes the direction Up. Potency, Healing, Power, Illumination
Elk - Strength, agility, freedom, power and nobility. Pride, Power, Majesty
Feather - Spirit
Firefly - Communication, Illumination
Fish - Water, Current, Flow of Life From the Earth
Fox - Camouflage, Adaptability and Integration, Cunning, provider, intelligence. Fox represents twilight and feminine magic. Cleverness, Subtlety, Discretion
Frog - Fluidity, Water and Rain, Cleansing, Tears, Peace, Emotional Healing, Connection with water element.
Goat - Tenacity, Diligence
Goose - Safe return, Love of home
Grizzly Bear - Mother, nature's pharmacist.
Hawk - Awareness, Truth, Foresight, Messenger of the sky, observer.
Hedgehog - Self-preservation
Heron - Patience, Grace
Horse - Carrier Of Burdens, Stamina, mobility, strength and power. The horse was introduced to the plains tribes by the Spanish. Shamans are often pictured flying on mythical horses. Horses can symbolize coping under difficult circumstances. Horse is love and devotion, loyalty, Freedom.
Hummingbird - Pure Love and Joy, Celebration of Life, Beauty, Wonder, Agility, Messenger, stopper of time. It represents optimism and sweetness. Being able to roll with the punches is an attribute of Hummingbird.
Kokepeli - Joy, Fertility
Ladybug - Delight, Trust
Lion - Pride, Nobility, Cunning, Courage
Lizard - Dreaming, Foresight, Ancient Secrets, Letting go, Illusiveness, Conservation, agility. Lizard promotes dreaming.
Loon - Peace, Tranquility, Generosity, Communication, Serenity
Lynx - Keeper of Mystical Secrets
Moose - Self Esteem, Assertiveness, Unpredictability, Spontaneity, Headstrong, unstoppable longevity. Moose represents value and integrity.
Mouse - Scrutiny, Attention to Detail, Illusion, Charm
Opossum - Strategy and Diversion
Otter - Joy, Lightness, Laughter, curiosity, mischievous, Earth and Water, Balanced Feminine Energy. Otter is a feminine power, and the symbol of grace and empathy.
Owl - Wisdom, Vision, Insight, truth, patience, Magic, Astral Projection. The Mescalero believe that Owl carries the souls of the recently deceased, a death messenger. Owl is the totem of clairvoyants and mystics.
Parrot Feather - Bringer of Essential Rain and Seed
Peacock - Pride, Recognition, Self-Assurance
Pelican - Abundance, Plenty
Pheasant - Warning, Concealment
Porcupine - Innocence, Humility, Trust
Quail - Protectiveness, Group harmony
Rabbit - Conquering fear, Safety, Alertness, nurturing, Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
Raccoon - Curiosity, Inquisitiveness
Ram - Strength, Determination
Raven - Bringer of Magic and Light, Creation and Knowledge, Trickster, teacher, hoarder, Mystery, Exploration of the unknown. To Pacific Northwest Coast tribes, Raven represented the shaman's powers and a belief in transformation between human and animal spirits. Raven symbolizes change in consciousness and is the mark of a shape shifter.
Roadrunner - Speed, Agility
Salmon - Instinct, Determination, Persistence, Dependability and Renewal
Sandpiper - Quickness, Foraging, Scavenging
Scorpion - Defense, Self-protection, Biting Truth
Seagull - Carefree attitude, Versatility, Freedom
Seahorse - Confidence, grace, Nourishing, Fathering
Seal - Contentment, Inquisitiveness, Organization
Shark - Hunter, survival, adaptability.
Skunk - Perseverance, Determination, Reputation, Respect, Caution
Snail - Perseverance, Determination
Snake - Power, Life force, Sexual potency, Shrewdness, transformation, Life, death and rebirth are represented by the shedding of skin. Among the Pueblo Indians snakes and lightning are equated with rain and fertility.
Spider - The Web of life, Interconnectedness, Industry, Creative, pattern of life, Weaving, Symbolism. Spider connects the past with the future, creating possibilities. Spider-woman is a major Pueblo goddess.
Squirrel - Gathering, Preparation, Trust, Thrift
Swan - Elegance, Nurturing, Grace, balance, innocence, Surrender to the Universal Plan.
Tadpole - Fertility and Renewal, Transformation
Turkey - Give Away, Sacrifice of Self and Others
Turtle - Love & Protection, Healing, Knowledge, Self contained, creative source. Turtle represents Mother Earth. Informed decisions, planning and adaptability are attributes of Turtle.
Weasel - Stealth, Information Gathering
Whale - Historical Record Keeper, Traveler, Guardian, Creativity, Intuition
Wolf - Teaching skill, Loyalty, Interdependence, Loyalty, success, perseverance, stability and thought. Wolves are also regarded as pathfinders and teachers. Wolf is represented by the constellation Sirius, the Dog. In the Zuni tradition the Wolf symbolizes the direction East. Wolf Print--Tracking, movement.
Woodpecker - Change, Persistence
