Native Americans believe that throughout our lifetimes, different animals help guide us on our journey. When faced with a new challenge, an animal guide enters our life to lead us through it. Also known as 'totem animals,' each person is believed to have nine different animals that lead them through their life experiences. You can visualize these animals being added to your totem pole as you move into a different chapter of your life.
Each animal has special strengths as guides with their unique symbolism and spiritual meaning, just as each animal has their own traits, values and personalities.
Keep reading to learn animal spiritual meaning and symbolism according to Native American and First Nations cultures. Which of these animal guides do you need on your life journey?
Bear: Protection, Physical Strength, Family and Leadership
The bear symbolizes protection and survival as well as healing, health and grounding. The bear totem animal is a symbol of standing in your power with courage and sticking to your core beliefs. The bear represents leadership and family.
You may look to the bear as a guide animal to give you strength to set boundaries, both for yourself and for the people in your life, protecting your energy. The bear will keep you company, helping you find comfort when spending time alone.
Crane: Seek Knowledge and Wisdom
Learning is a life-long endeavor, and no matter our age or experience, there is always more to learn. If you're at a time in your life when you are seeking depth and more knowledge about the world around you, look to the crane for your animal guide.
The crane symbolizes knowledge and wisdom, leading you to do more research, reading and attending events that could inspire you to learn and grow, including guided tours and retreats. The crane also encourages tapping into the wisdom of those around you in your daily life and is a symbol of luck and longevity.
Rabbit: Overcome Limiting Beliefs and Fear
If rabbits appear in your life, it may be a sign that it's time to move through any fear you have that's holding you back. The rabbit totem animal is hyper-vigilant and lives life on its own terms, encouraging you to follow their lead.
It's believed that the rabbit can guide us through fear and help us to overcome limiting beliefs.
Duck: Find Clarity and Take Quick Action
The duck stealthily navigates water and finds clarity within highly-emotional situations. If you're facing a complex situation, or a fork in the road, look to the duck to help guide you.
This animal guide tells us to observe the world around us and quickly take action. Because in order for our dreams to manifest, we need to take action! If you find that emotions disrupt your plans, spend time to intentionally identify where those feelings are coming from, and fully experience them. Once you achieve emotional clarity, navigating the path to success will be much easier.
Falcon: Seek Greater Perspective and Welcome Positive Change
In Native American tradition, the falcon symbolizes vigilance and signals significant positive changes on the horizon. The powerful bird teaches us the importance of being alert to risk and danger while staying focused and mindful in the present moment.
The falcon shows us that practicing gratitude for the good fortune we already have in our lives can lead to a greater abundance of positive changes. The falcon guides us to soar high for greater perspective and trust that more good things are on the way.
Fox: Intelligent, Passionate, Dynamic
The fox animal guide is believed to help us overcome fear, providing the confidence and wisdom needed to take on life challenges. The fox is a highly-skilled animal and rightfully self-assured in their abilities.
This makes it easier for the fox to freely enjoy its passions, knowing that it has the wisdom and intelligence to make the right choices and dynamic thinking for proper judgment.
Eagle: Courage and Freedom
Those seeking bravery, courage and strength can look to the eagle as their animal guide. Native Americans see the eagle as the strongest and bravest bird, assisting in leadership and opportunity.
The eagle inspires us to seize opportunities that arise, including those that send us on a new life path, which can provide us with a new sense of purpose. The eagle guides us to soar to new levels of spiritual awareness while staying grounded in truth and reality.
Loon: Peace and Tranquility, Achieve Old Dreams
The loon symbolizes peace and serenity. In Native American culture, the loon reawakens hopes and dreams from the past, calling you to revisit and achieve these wishes.
The water bird calms rough waters in life, bringing tranquility and ease, creating a supportive environment to dream big.
Sea Otter: Empathy, Kindness, Curiosity and Laughter
In Native American culture, the sea otter symbolizes the warm and light things in life: family, friendship, kindness, empathy, curiosity and laughter. The otter is believed to bring good fortune and peace.
This animal guide encourages grace and empathy, with never-ending curiosity and a light-hearted approach to experiences.
Dragonfly: Messenger and Spiritual Growth
Are you looking for a sign in your life? Is there something that you're seeking and haven't yet discovered? The dragonfly is a symbolic messenger of transformation, evolution and spiritual growth. Dragonflies bring mystery and magic while sending things into motion.
Calling upon this animal guide is believed to help connect individuals to transformative energy, helping us navigate a major transition in life with grace and the ability to manage emotion.
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