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Animal Spirits

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The tradition of animal spirits holds that particular creatures embody distinct qualities and serve as guides, guardians, or emblems for people and clans. A totem animal is typically a lifelong protector or symbol tied to a family, clan, or individual, while a spirit or power animal may appear in a particular season of life to lend its strength, teaching, or warning. Each creature carries a settled character, the courage of the bear, the vision of the eagle, the cunning of the fox, and is often mapped to an element, a direction, or a season within a wider web of correspondences. Practitioners seek such allies through dream, vision quest, meditation, or journeying, and read the appearance of an animal as an omen or message. Found among many indigenous peoples and revived in modern shamanic and Neopagan practice, the tradition treats the animal world as a source of guidance and a mirror of the self.

Facts
Contested Use
Contested or Appropriated Modern Use
Popularised through 20th-century neo-shamanism and New Age practice 1
Contested or Appropriated Modern Use
The phrase "spirit animal" as a general-purpose term for a personal totem is a settler adaptation of specific Indigenous North American practices, and Native writers and communities have repeatedly objected to its circulation as generic spirituality detached from the nations it was taken from. 1
Status
Status Today
Revived or reconstructed in the modern era 1
Revived in modern shamanic and Neopagan practice
Origins
Place of Origin
Global (Cross-Cultural) 1
Learn More
Totems, Guides, and the Animal as Symbol of Self

The tradition of animal spirits holds that particular creatures embody distinct qualities and serve as guides, guardians, or emblems for individuals and groups, a family of beliefs found, in very different forms, across many cultures. Its most anthropologically studied form is totemism, in which a clan or lineage stands in a special relationship to a particular animal species, treating it as ancestor, kin, and emblem, often with prohibitions against killing or eating it; the concept, drawn from Ojibwe (doodem) and Australian Aboriginal material, became a central topic of early anthropology through Durkheim, Freud, and later Levi-Strauss, who read totemic animals less as objects of worship than as a symbolic language, creatures "good to think with," a system of differences by which a society maps its own divisions. A distinct strand is the idea of a personal animal guardian obtained through vision or dream, prominent in many Native North American traditions (sometimes loosely termed the "spirit animal", a phrase now widely, and often inappropriately, borrowed in popular culture).

In modern Neo-Pagan and New Age practice these ideas have been reworked into the "power animal" or "totem" as a source of personal guidance. The underlying intuition is widespread: that the natures of animals, the cunning of the fox, the vision of the eagle, the endurance of the bear, offer a vocabulary for human character, kinship, and the sacred.

Two Words Doing More Work Than They Can Bear

Two English terms cover most of what is written on this subject, and both came from somewhere specific before being applied everywhere.

Totem entered English from Ojibwe, where the underlying word concerns clan membership and descent. Nineteenth-century anthropology took it up as the name for a supposed universal stage of religion, and totemism became a category applied across four continents. It was dismantled in the twentieth century by writers who showed that the practices grouped under it had little in common beyond the observer's expectation, and the word survives mainly as a caution.

Spirit animal is more recent and has no single origin in any tradition. It circulates now as a general term for a personal animal guide, and it is applied backwards onto Native American traditions that use their own vocabulary for quite different relationships: a clan affiliation, a being encountered in a vision quest, and a helping spirit acquired through training are three separate things, and none of them is what the popular phrase means. Members of those nations have objected to the usage, both to the flattening and to its use in casual online speech.

The underlying subject is real and very widely distributed. Traditions across the world hold that particular animals are related to particular people, lineages or specialists, and that the relationship carries obligations.

The atlas names the tradition and its own term wherever it can, and uses the general labels only where a genuine comparison is being made.

Cross-Tradition Connections

Associated With

Physiologus, Esoteric Texts

Belongs to Tradition

Candomblé, Religions

Candomble keeps the West African pattern in Brazil, each orixa having its own animals, foods and prohibitions, which shape both the offerings made at the terreiro and the personal restrictions an initiate accepts for life.

Source Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and CustomEdward Burnett Tylor
Celtic Paganism, Religions

Celtic material links particular animals to particular powers, the stag with Cernunnos, the raven with the Morrigan, the horse with Epona and Rhiannon, and insular myth is full of shape-shifting; modern revivals have built a working animal-guide practice on that base.

Source Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and CustomEdward Burnett Tylor
Chinese Folk Religion, Religions

Chinese folk practice knows animal spirits chiefly as beings that gain power by long cultivation, the fox, weasel, hedgehog, snake and rat of northern household cults, which are propitiated for wealth or blamed for illness rather than sought as allies.

Source Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and CustomEdward Burnett Tylor
Haitian Vodou, Religions

Vodou assigns each lwa its preferred animals and the offerings due to it, and animals are sacrificed and eaten in the rites; the relationship is service to named spirits rather than a personal totem, and the detail is bounded by initiation.

Source Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and CustomEdward Burnett Tylor
Norse Paganism, Religions

Norse sources give the gods their creatures, Odin's ravens and wolves and Freyja's cats, and describe the fylgja, a following spirit that may appear in animal form and attend a person or a family; modern heathenry works with both.

Source Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and CustomEdward Burnett Tylor
Santería (Lucumí), Religions

Lucumi keeps the Yoruba pattern in Cuba: each orisha's animals govern the offerings due and the food taboos an initiate takes on, and animal sacrifice remains part of the rites, a point that has been to court in the United States.

Source Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and CustomEdward Burnett Tylor
Shinto, Religions

Shinto shrines are guarded by animals that serve particular kami, foxes for Inari, deer at Kasuga, monkeys at Hie, and these are understood as messengers of the kami rather than as personal guides or totems in the modern sense.

Source Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and CustomEdward Burnett Tylor
Yorùbá Religion (Ifá), Religions

Each orisha has creatures proper to it, the vulture to Oshun, the dog to Ogun, particular birds and the tortoise to particular rites, and these govern what may be offered and what a devotee may be forbidden to eat.

Source Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and CustomEdward Burnett Tylor

Works With

Bear, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Bison, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Butterfly, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Chameleon, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Cheetah, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Condor, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Coyote, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Deer, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Dog, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Dolphin, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Dragon, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Dragonfly, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Eagle, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Elephant, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Emu, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Fox, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Frog, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Goat, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Hawk, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Horse, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Hummingbird, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Ibis, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Jaguar, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Kangaroo, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Leopard, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Lion, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Lizard, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Llama, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Monkey, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Octopus, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Otter, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Owl, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Ox, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Peacock, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Pegasus, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Phoenix, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Pig, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Rabbit, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Ram, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Rat, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Raven, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Rooster, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Salmon, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Scarab Beetle, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Scorpion, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Seahorse, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Snake, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Spider, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Swan, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Tiger, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Turtle, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Unicorn, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Whale, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Wolf, Animals & Totems

One of the animal spirits gathered under this discipline. Where a tradition restricts this material, the restriction is recorded on the tradition itself rather than repeated for each animal.

Source The Appropriation of Native American SpiritualitySuzanne Owen
Sources
1. The Appropriation of Native American Spirituality
Suzanne Owen, Continuum, 2008on the appropriation of Native American spiritual practice
Primitive Culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and Custom
Edward Burnett Tylor, Murray, 1871Totemism and animism in early anthropologyView the Source
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