Animal Symbolism
BY
Junko Morikawa
A FIVE-PAGE PAPER
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE OF
SEMINAR 1 (World Englishes)
Kumamoto Gakuen University Foreign Language Department
English Course
SUPERVISOR: Judy Yoneoka
Kumamoto Gakuen University
Oe 2-5-1 Kumamoto
Japan
December 20, 2002
This paper consists of approximately １569 words
Animal Symbolism (Morikawa)
1. Introduction
Each culture has their own original history or ideas regarding animals. As a result, we can
enjoy them and have chances to be surprised by the variety of expressions in animals depending on
where we come from. We do not have a longer history than that of the animal world. As long as
humans have developed, we have spent time with animals. It is not too much to say that we have
survived our life with animals.
However, we can know the truth that all our ideas are not accepted all over the world simply
because each symbol originated from specific countries. They are never wrong.
I specially focus on animal symbolism because we are familiar with animals. On top of that,
we should realize our point of view towards those animals, which we hold unconsciously. For
instance, we may unconsciously use them as sports teams’ mascots, like grizzlies in Missoula,
Montana. Grizzlies are original inhabitants of Montana. Also they, indeed are strong and powerful. In
this paper, I compare several thoughts and refer to some proverbs of animals’ symbols and then see
how they relate to us.
2. Common Symbols in the World
First off, let’s take a dog as the animal that is nearest to us. Many people keep dogs as pets
in the world and believe that dogs and humans can make good companions. They seem to be close
for us because they show their loyalty and are considered “Man’s best friend.” One of the proverbs
says, “Love me, love my dog.” (Konishi, 1995, pg. 525) This meaning shows that a dog is a part of
our life or, to be overstated, they are part of our body, partly because dogs have shared time with us
as healing pets or guard dogs. Hunting dogs give humans profits and sled dogs help men living in
regions with heavy snowfalls.
The white dove is a symbol for peace in the world. We pray for a peaceful world by holding
up a white dove. We commonly consider it as a symbol of peace world-wide. This is good because,
concretely speaking, if the symbol of peace were completely different our hope to peace would
never come true. The unified idea, the dove, is one of the steps to achieve our goals. In English,
addition to the peace symbol, especially, “a dove means someone in politics who prefers peace and
discussion to war”. (Summers, 1978, pg. 534)
Because of analyses by animals emphasizing general human character, fortune-telling by
animals has become popular in Japan. This was the result of several types of fortune-telling and
scientific human analyses. Originally, “these resources came from the ancient eastern principles of
Yin and Yang.” (http://www.noracom.net/nyumon) We can see our own tendencies of personalities.
Let’s take an example of a lion. Generally speaking, we have typical images for lions. They
are the kings of animals, and they are so strong that they hunt smaller or weaker animals as their
food. They look perfect. No one tries to fight against them in the world of animals. According to these
stereotypes, some of the fortune-telling characteristics turn out as can be expected. Those
explanations say:
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Animal Symbolism (Morikawa)
“It is natural that a lion is given special treatment and gets attention because he
has status as the king of animals. Also he worries about keeping up his
appearances
and
he
tries
not
to
show
his
weakness.”
(http://www.noracom.net/nyumon/what/index.html)
As a result, from this type of fortune-telling, these universal symbols are spread
around the world. Some are from tradition; others come from the animals’ “essential nature”.
3. Famous Animal Symbols in Particular Areas
Some countries have their own special animals. Depending on their environment,
there may be several native animal types. Those animals hold peculiar symbolic meanings.
3.1.
American symbols
The easiest American animal symbol to recognize is an eagle. As Americans’
patriotic feelings get stronger, we often see noble eagle’s forms more and more. Some
invisible power is hidden in the eagle symbol. The American eagle is a symbol of American
grace, beauty and strength. Also this bird is called king of birds. “In justice, the eagle’s eyes
are considered something that is watchful and never misses important evidence or
information. Moreover, there are several kinds of eagles, such as the Golden Eagle,
Double-headed Eagle and Bald Eagle, that have been used for battle flags or crests from
ancient times.” (Maass, my host family, 2002)
Another animal indigenous to America is the buffalo. Japanese usually have never
seen a buffalo. But “the buffalo reminds Americans of a symbol of the Old American West,
while the coyote is a symbol of the New American West.” (Maass) They are not familiar in
our area but only in their area.
Many varieties of animals represent many different facets of America. In the
economic and political worlds, for example:
“In the stock market, a bull is a symbol for a strong, confident market. The bear has
opposite symbol and is the symbol for a cautious market. In politics, the donkey
symbolizes the Democratic Party and the elephant symbolizes the Republican
Party.” (Maass)
Originally, the donkey is the symbol of a dullard, and is considered stubborn and persevering.
It is obvious that the donkey does not have a good character.
3.2 Chinese Symbols
When you go to Chinese restaurants, you will surely see some dragons on the
plates. It is obvious to say the dragon is a large imaginary animal that has wings and a long
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Animal Symbolism (Morikawa)
tail. We have some scary images of dragons, which are supposed to breathe out fire from
their mouths. These are the general images in the world. However, on the other hand, “the
dragon means many good things such as good luck or happiness in China. (Henry Lo, my
friend, personal communication, 2002) Judging from their appearances, it is obvious that
opposite symbol makes us amazed.
3.3 More than One Symbol
Symbols do not necessarily have a single meaning. It is more interesting to see the
other side of images based on character or history. In this section, I discuss two animals, a
turtle and a fox, which are representative of this phenomenon.
A turtle represents a solid distinctive feature from its movement. Also there is a fairly
tale that determines its symbolism: “The Tortoise and the Hare.” In this story, the tortoise
wins the race because he paces himself and keeps moving at a steady rate and does not
stop to eat or rest unlike the hare. Relating to this story, not only Japanese culture but also
other countries seem to think that the turtle represents someone that is slow, steady and
prepared. There is another different meaning in Japan, however. Turtles are said to live to
10,000 years old and always be happy. This is impressive new symbol unlike ever-common
symbol I have mentioned above for other countries people. Owing to its appearance or
movement, it represents multiple symbols like love and protection and healing.
Also, take a look at a fox. It is easy to view it as a sly and cunning animal. Japanese
proverb says; Tora no i wo karu kitsune. It means a person who takes advantage of
borrowed authority to throw his weight about. People around the world assume that a fox is
sly, but Japan has another unique symbol. Some of the shrines use the fox as their symbol.
If this one symbol, the fox is sly, is believable, the shrines would be unpopular. A fox is an
honored symbol except for its craftiness, as well. Originally it is said, “the fox is messenger
of
the
god
Inari.
It
plays
a
precious
role
in
Japanese
religion.”
(http://inari.jp/h_qa/h01.html#top)
3.4 Animals as Product Images
Animals are close to human beings. It is easy to feel familiar with them. This
nearness bring us clear images with ease, which is why they are often used as mascots or
names of things. They end up being cute or attractive to us, and their stereotypes suit some
products. Some animals that are fast or strong are used as names for cars; for example,
"Dodge Ram, Mercury Cougar and Lynx, Chevy Impala and Ford Mustang”. (Maass)
Mickey Mouse, Snoopy and Hello Kitty are also cute lovely characters. They are
popular around the world. People possessing them would not imagine them as dirty or
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Animal Symbolism (Morikawa)
stinking mice or sharp-eyed cats.
Let’s make a comparison between a teddy bear and an animal bear to figure out
how we unconsciously have several symbolisms. Before teddy bears were made, nobody
believed bears to be adorable and small figures. Their symbols were rather scary or big.
4. Conclusion
Almost animals have their own symbols based on their own special appearance or
character, which are different from others. These symbols are firmly grounded; almost like
stereotypes, not only in one part of the world but virtually universally. As human beings are
separated into several races, indigenous animals differ in each area. These examples I
mentioned in contents of my essay prove that animals are on so good terms with us that
they tend to become symbols.
All animals to which we apply good symbols are friendly warm animals toward
human beings due to changes or breaks in their existing images. Such symbolism will give
good images for children to touch all animals, even scary ones.
It is interesting to pay attention to animals that are used as mascots around our
society. They exist very close to us.
Bibliography
・
Della Summers (1978) Longman Dictionary of English: Addison Wesley Ltd.
・
“Animal fortune-telling” (http://www.noracom.net/nyumon/what/index.html, as of Oct.21,
2002)
Personal Communication (Maass Katie, Emily, Amanda, my host family, Oct., 2002)
・
Personal Communication (Henry Lo, my friend, Oct., 2002)
・
“Q&A of Oinarisan” (http://inari.jp/h_qa/h01.html#top, as of Dec. 9, 2002)
“Animal Symbolism” (http://www.arcanamatrix.com/furpeople/symbolism.htm, as of
Oct. 31, 2002)
Konishi Tomohitchi (1988) Taishukan’s GENIUS English-Japanese Dictionary:
Taishukan
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