Horses
All along mythologies, according to Gilbert Durand, the horse symbolizes the passing of
time. Moreover, the horse is ridden by Death that is coming. In the Middle Age, the coffin was
symbolically called “wooden horse.” The horse, according to Chevalier’s Dictionary, seems inseparable
from man, having both positive and negative influences and symbols. Horses were also linked to the
night, the moon, mystery, and magic. Nightmares, a name which is derived from that of the female
horse, were thought by the Celts to be brought by a visiting horse Goddess such as Epona or Mare. In
most Celtic myths the horses are black or white. The horse was introduced to the plains tribes by the
Spanish. Shamans are often pictured flying on mythical horses. Horses can symbolize coping under
difficult circumstances.
Horse - Stamina, mobility, strength and power, coping under difficult circumstances, love, devotion,
loyalty, the land, travel. Life and death symbol, intellect, wisdom, power, nobility, energy, freedom,
wildness, divination, prophecy, fertility.
Quotes where the animal
symbol is used in the story
(Say)
Based on what is happening in
the story and a possible
meaning of the symbol, what
could the symbol mean at each
moment?
How do the different
meanings of the symbol
matter to the book?
**You may explain each
quote individually or as a
single explanation