In some Indigenous traditions, spirit animals are embodied forms of spiritual guides. Your spirit animal may present itself to you in any form you are willing to see it, and you may feel a strong connection to one animal or many members of the animal kingdom. Your animal guide(s) hold a particular quality that can help you navigate life with ease, faith, and confidence.
Not sure what animal represents you or what messages it’s trying to send you? Here are some techniques for discovering your spirit animal:
- Learn about the animal connections in your own culture.
- Pay attention to your dreams.
- Think about your past connections to certain animals.
- Journal about the animals that you feel drawn to.
- Take a quiz.
Once you’ve identified your spirit animal, you can start to listen to it. Animals often emanate certain traits and strengths that we can use more of in our own lives. For example, if you feel called to a crow, you may benefit from channeling its tenacious hunter’s energy.
Here is a list of common animals and their core qualities:
Ant: hardworking, organized, and cooperative
Bear: deeply emotional, connected to the earth and the outdoors
Butterfly: transformation, development, adaptability
Cat: curiosity, adventure, independence, patience
Deer: sensitivity, intuition, balance between confidence and gentleness
Eagle: freedom, leadership, bravery
Fox: cunning, resourcefulness, quick thinking
Giraffe: vision, intelligence, creativity
Horse: power, freedom, strength
Iguana: adaptability, perseverance, patience
Jaguar: power, strength, cunning
Kangaroo: motherhood, nurturing, adaptability
Lion: courage, leadership, strength
Monkey: playfulness, adaptability, intelligence
Nightingale: self-expression, creativity, son
Owl: wisdom, intuition, mystery
Peacock: beauty, confidence, self-expression
Quail: communication, community, cooperation
Raccoon: curiosity, adaptability, resourcefulness
Snake: transformation, rebirth, healing
Tiger: power, strength, ferocity
Unicorn: magic, purity, nobility
Vulture: rebirth, transformation, insight
Wolf: loyalty, family, intuition
Xerus: adaptability, resourcefulness, perseverance
Yak: strength, perseverance, endurance
Zebra: individuality, uniqueness, community