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Native American tribes are numerous throughout our lands. Animal symbolism may vary from tribe to tribe. Following are some basic attributes of animals from Elephant to Goat.
This series of articles also includes the spirit powers of birds, insects, and reptiles.
Elephant
Elephants are the largest land animals now living. Elephants are the largest land animals now living. They typically live for 50 to 70 years. Elephants are a symbol of wisdom in some cultures and are famed for their memory and intelligence. Aristotle once said the elephant was "the beast which passeth all others in wit and mind".
Elephants are very social in their groups and the females give excellent care to their young and elders. They will greet each other by entwining their trunks. They also use them while play-wrestling, caressing during courtship and mother-child interactions. They are very loyal to members of their group.
Symbolism: Strength, power, affection, loyalty, royalty, wisdom, powerful sense of family
Elk
The elk is one of the largest species of deer in the world and one of the largest mammals in North America. The elk is regarded as a spiritual force in some cultures. Bulls have a loud vocalization consisting of screams known as bugling, which can be heard for miles. Elk have a majestic look and walk -- they are agile and can move fast if need be.
Symbolism: Strength, agility, pride, majestic, independence, purification, nobility
Falcon
Adult falcons have thin tapered wings, which enable them
to fly at high speed and to change direction rapidly. They have exceptional skills as hunters. Peregrine Falcons have been recorded diving at speeds of 200 miles per hour (320 km/h), making them the fastest-moving creatures on Earth. Their powers of vision is amazing, in some cases 2.6 times more acute than humans. Falcons are highly intelligent and easily trained for falconry,Symbolism: visionary, adventure, passionate, leadership.
Fox
A fox is very cunning, clever and quick-witted. They have the patience to wait a long time for just the right moment to act -- they are swift and agile when they do take action. In some cultures they are associated with magic and shapeshifting. They normally live in small family groups, and are opportunistic feeders that hunt live prey (especially rodents). Using a pouncing technique practised from an early age, they are usually able to kill their prey quickly. They have been successfully trained to control pests on fruit farms without bothering with the fruits.
Symbolism: clever, cunning, agility, quick-witted, diplomacy, wildness, camouflage, patience
Goat
Goats are among the earliest animals domesticated by humans. They are easily trained to pull carts and walk on leads. Goats have an intensely inquisitive and intelligent nature -- they will explore anything new or unfamiliar in their surroundings, including the buttons on our clothes. They love to climb and are very surfooted.
Symbolism: surefootedness, stubbornness, independence, diligence, seeker of higher options, energy
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Brown Falcon
Author: jjron, 3 January 2008
terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brown-Falcon,-Vic,-3.1.2008.jpg
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