Subscribe To
This Site
Celtic AnimalsCeltic Animal Symbols and Their Meanings
Celtic animal symbols, just like all symbols, signs or totems hold incredible power and fascination for us all. More importantly, animal symbols serve as reminders of qualities (i.e. strength, courage, patience) we all want to have. As reminders, these animal signs convey deeper meaning, and also provide us with an illustrative focus providing an aid on our path to obtaining the qualities of virtue we desire. By understanding the meaning of animal symbols, we can adopt these meanings into our lives. The Celts knew this, and called upon the spirit of the animal that provided them with the insight and qualities they required. Adopting animal symbols is an honorable and age-old practice of self- improvement. It is a concentrated effort to obtain the desired attributes of the animal itself. Furthermore, it is a pathway to internal investigation. Animals urge us to open ourselves to internal exploration, and ultimately they put us on the path of understanding. Please note: I have provided information on Celtic animal symbols here with a goal to maintain historical accuracy. However, please keep in mind much of this information comes from deduction and intuiting Celtic intent. This is because written history of Celtic symbolism is piecemeal and sketchy. Indeed, the druid's passed their esoteric understanding via unwritten means. But we can use the ambiguities to our advantage. They give us the opportunity to step into the energetic realm and weave in our own delightful interpretations based upon the Celtic foundations we are aware of. It is my hope you will come to understand and respect each animal symbol meaning within the context it is given - keeping in mind that it is ultimately your own heart, mind and spirit that determines a symbol meaning. For more information on animal symbols and animal symbol meanings, please
visit our
animal totem page.
On the flip side, the bull is also a virile sign for men, and a sign of fertility for women. Donning the bull symbol in the bed chamber (depicted on sheets, robes, pillows, etc) is said to enhance the mental state leading to sexual strength & endurance. A third representation of the bull sign is that of riches and wealth. Likely due to
the fact that this creature was a great source of food the Celts, it can easily be
associated with easier, fairer, and abundant times in the Celtic villages.
Transition is common in all nature, and the Celtic woman would be keenly aware
of its presence. As such, butterflies would adorn birthing gowns, blankets, and
bed sheets as a sign of smooth transition when welcoming new babies into the
village fold.
Astute, crafty and clever, not only do they make great Otherworld guardians, they
are also liaisons to mystic realms. When invoked, they can grant the caller a
variety of insights regarding more esoteric, ethereal knowledge. No wonder the cat is a prize among Celtic animal symbols.
The dog was considered to be good luck in the village, and as such, the symbol of the dog was commonly found in Celtic dιcor, clothing, etc. There are reports that the dog symbol is a harbinger of good health. More likely, the dog's companionship warded away the illnesses loneliness and rejection cause. Further, a Celt was rarely found hunting without a hound nearby. Dogs were necessities in life, and therefore highly regarded. For more neat tidbits on general symbolism of the Dog, go to my Animal Tracks Symbolism Page where the meaning of dog tracks and other animal tracks are listed.
It became a symbol of friendship, intelligence, and good luck. Its
status of luck was likely related to the fact that the dolphin was most commonly
seen on the seas when the weather and waves were calm and fair. The Celts
innately understood the intimate relationship between nature and beast.
However, did the sight of the lucky dolphin cause fair weather, or was it the
weather beckoned the dolphin out of its depths? Clearly, it's a question of which
came first the chicken or the egg. Regardless, the dolphin is viewed as quite
lucky indeed and this quality combined with it's cleverness and speed in the
waters made the dolphin a highly respected animal sign among the Celts.
Ducks also represent sensitivity, as they tend to
be very sensitive to their surroundings. Also viewed as graceful and agile
particularly in the water, ducks are respected for their beauty and adaptation to
nature.
Furthermore, the goose is also a strong symbol of hearth and home.
Always returning to the same spot each spring, the goose was recognized for it's
incredibly navigational devised, and identified for it's keen sense of return to
home. Celts being fierce patriots, the sign of the goose was a strong symbol of
the importance of home. Likely, the goose was a common symbol in the home,
displayed to encourage the safe return home of Celtic warriors.
Misused, or invoked for selfish reasons, the griffin brings about gluttony, vengeance, ferocity, and violence. In Roman texts, the Griffin is strongly aligned with the fire god, Apollo. This makes the griffin a possessor of fiery forces and not to be trifled with when in partnership with Apollo. Given it's power, and considering it can be just as nefarious as it can be kind, respect must be paid when invoking the spirit of the griffin.
Celtic Irish Vacations Perhaps you'll see one of these mythical Celtic creatures on an Ireland golf tour. Chances are you'll just be enjoying the scenic Irish countryside and relishing in the best Ireland travel experience possible. Ireland is not only rich in Celtic history but it is also known for its natural beauty. Don't miss out, make sure to one of the best Ireland tours around!
Other in-site links of interest: Celtic Trinity (triquetra) Symbol Meaning Celtic Meaning of Symbolic Trees Celtic Tree Astrology - Zodiac of the Druids More Celtic animals and Celtic symbol meanings can be found here on my blog.
|
Celtic Bull:
The bull is a much-revered Celtic animal symbol, with several different
translations. Mostly, this is a Celtic animal symbol of strong will, uncompromising, and even belligerent
the bull stands for unbending, stubborn personality traits leading up to the term
"bull-headed."
Celtic Butterfly:
Research reveals that the symbolic meaning of the butterfly is similar across
most cultures and time. Invariably, this beautiful Celtic animal symbol represents
transformation, inspiration, and rebirth. The concept of rebirth with the Celts is
particularly of importance in terms of recycling of life both in the spiritual and
physical realms. Perhaps the bible and the Byrds extol the concept best: "To
every season, turn, turn turn." This was an intimate concept with the Celts, and
the butterfly in its miraculous way symbolizes transformation and rebirth.
Celtic Cat:
By way of the Egyptians to Romans, and from Romans to Celts came the
transference of the symbolism of cats. Unanimously, the cat represents the
guardian of the Otherworld (or Underworld, depending which texts you read from
various regions). Stoic, silent and mysterious, cats fit the bill of Otherworld
guardians quite well. They keep the secrets of the Otherworld eternally to
themselves, as the gaze with guile upon a world that does not see or understand
the depth of their knowledge.
Celtic Dog:
The dog animal symbol also maintains a pure root meaning throughout time and culture. That meaning is loyalty, of course. Man (and woman's) best friend, the dog symbolizes the strong bond of companionship felt between human and
animal.
Celtic Dolphin:
Many a tale has been told about the magic of dolphins. Their appearance off the
shores of Ireland urged the Celts to contemplate an unknown universe the sea.
Those who could not settle to simply cogitate Celtic seafarers held the dolphin
in high regard.
Celtic Duck:
Ducks, along with geese (see entry below) share the same symbolism of
transition due to their migratory nature. Ducks are also a Celtic animal symbol of honesty, simplicity and resourcefulness.
Celtic Goose:
Geese were common sights in the lush green lands of Ireland, and their
migration was duly noted by the ever-observant Celts. Consequently, the Celtic animal symbol meaning of the Goose deals with our own migratory or transitory nature.
The sign of the goose urges us to consider our changes of mood and heart. The
Celts understood that oneness in thought leads to oneness in deed, so invoking
the goose aids in our ability to understand why we have such changes of
thought, and what we can do to ground our thoughts so that our actions aren't
"willy-nilly."
Celtic Griffins:
An ancient creature embraced by many cultures, the Celtic animal griffin is a symbol of duality. Part eagle, part lion (depending on the region even part serpent,
horse or dog), the meaning of the griffin reflects is dual physical form by
presenting a balance of both good and not so good qualities.
