Animals

Information on this page taken from
Animal-Speak by Ted Andrews, Llewellyn Publications, 1997 .

Birds  ~  Insects  ~  Mammals  ~  Reptiles & Amphibians

Birds

Birds have often been considered the symbols of the soul.  Their ability to fly reflects the ability within us to rise to new awareness, bridging the earth and the heavens.  As totems, birds each have their own peculiar characteristics, but they can all be used to stimulate greater flights of hope, inspiration and ideas.
     

   
Insects

Insects are both ancient within the history of this planet, and also as symbols within the history of humanity.   Humans have long attributed characteristics to certain kinds of insects.   Although this is a form of anthropomorphism, it is important to understand that often the qualities associated with insects were attributed to them because of a characteristic they displayed.  Again, as with any animal, we do not have to believe that they have a creative intelligence, but we can recognize that the behaviors, instincts, and patterns they do display can reflect and symbolize certain archetypal forces as yet not fully understood.

      ~ bees
              Horses
              Muhammad My Friend
              Sugar
      ~ butterfly
              Butterfly
              Mary

Mammals

Terrestrial animals have always had a strong symbology associated with them.  They have represented the emotional side of life, often reflecting qualities that must be overcome, controlled, and/or re-expressed.  They are also symbols of power--powers associated with the invisible realm that we can learn to manifest within the visible.

     

~ cat       Crucify       Upside Down ~ dog       Crucify        Liquid Diamonds        Silent All These Years        Space Dog        The Wrong Band ~ dolphin       Mary ~ elephant       Sweet Dreams ~ fox       New Age

~ horse       Horses        Humpty Dumpty       Liquid Diamonds       Winter ~ lion       Black-Dove ~ monkey       Bliss        Marianne ~ rabbit       Cornflake Girl ~ weasel       Marianne

Reptiles & Amphibians

Reptiles are first and foremost coldblooded.   Their body heat changes with the temperature of the air and environment around them. . . They must use an outside source to raise and lower their internal temperatures.

       ~ reptile
               Glory of the 80's
       ~ lizard
              Sweet Dreams
       ~ snake
              Sweet Dreams

Amphibians lead a double life. . . The word amphibian comes from two words--"amphi" = "double" and "bios" = "life."  Amphibians divide their life between land and water, and it is usually the second half that is spent at least partially on land. 
     From a symbolic aspect, this can reflect much about what has always been taught in lore about the power of amphibians.  They are often the keeper of dreams (water element). . . Many amphibians are thought to be the keepers of knowledge of astral projection.  On a more psychological level, they can also reflect a need to learn to use the emotional energies (water) constructively (land).

      ~ crocodile
               Beulah Land
               Mr Zebra
      ~ frog
              Frog on My Toe
      ~ turtle
              Space Dog