Animal Spirit Definitions

You may have heard such phrases as animal spirit, spirit guide and spirit animal. For those raised within more conventional spiritual structures, the idea of animal spirits may be a relatively new one. In terms of Native American spirituality, new age ideas, shamanism and folklore, animal spirits are an interesting idea to define.

Myth

Many Native American cultures have allegories, fables and parables surrounding certain creatures that have been a part of their society for centuries.

Significance

Some ancient civilizations assign certain spiritual characteristics to one particular animal or another according to their beliefs or believe particular animals to represent a set of metaphysical qualities.

Considerations

Mythical, ancient or extinct animals can also serve the same purpose as real, living animals in terms of their significance as animal spirits.

Types

Animal spirit definitions in terms of specific animals can vary from culture to culture. One group of people may consider a particular animal to have a fearful spirit while another might consider the same animal to be quick and clever.

Expert Insight

Taking the time to find your own spirit animal as far as which animal spirit you most closely identify with can lead you to amazing spiritual insights of your own.

References

• Animal Spirits
• Spirit Guides