I need a list of symbolic creatures for a project I’m working on but I keep coming up with what feel like rather clichéd examples; so I thought maybe I could get a new set of brains to get me some fresh ideas.
Here’s the emotions and characteristics I still need to find a creature to embody…
Hope
Shyness
Perserverance
Frustration
Joy
Anger
Logic
Hard-working
Petty
Pride
Embarassment, and
Triumph
Hope, logic, and perserverance are the ones that are giving me the most trouble, but any ideas would be great as I’m not crazy about anything I’ve come up with so far. So, anyone care to take a shot at it?
Hope: “red cows are a symbol of hope, inspiring symbol for nurturing efforts”
Perseverance: “Goat - tenacity, diligence, can help to achieve goals”
Logic: Vulcans (OK, I fudged that one)
Since you’re looking for new ideas and not old cliches, here’s some out of my brain. Welcome to the scary place.
Hope: penguin. No other parent goes through so much with the chance of such utter failure. Hope is all they have.
Logic: Raven. Smartest, most logical damn creatures on the planet without thumbs. They are excellent puzzle solvers, and can figure out how to open any closure camping gear manages to invent.
Perserverence: Salmon. I know they’re traditionally wisdom, but perserverence makes more sense to me. C’mon, swimming upstream thousands of miles to try to leap over a waterfall past hungry bears only to spawn and die? Either salmon sex is really good or they’re the stupidest creatures on earth. Either way, they persevere.
And for the others:
Shyness: Deer.
Frustration: hmm… got nothing. Seems purely human - an animal will either do something, not suceed, try again or give up. They don’t seem to waste the energy getting frustrated.
Joy: Lambs. Cute little suckers really do frolic
Anger: Bear. No one’s as scary as an angry Mama Bear
Hard-working: Beaver. Why mess with a classic? Or any nest building bird, if you must
Petty: Squirrel. I love 'em, but they’re some short tempered little theiving fluffy rats
Pride: Peacock, of course. Again, why mess with what works? Or, of course, a cat
Embarassment: moths. Poor things are ashamed they’re not butterflies, and so hide themselves all day, only peeking out at night.
Triumph: a goat. On a barrel or mountain.
I’n Native so I can help you with that…in Ojibway belief there are animals which represent the Seven Grandfathers…I’ll have to refresh my memory on them at home, and I’ll email you the info. I don’t think it covers all your criteria, but some of them.
Oooh, penguin and moth are really good ones WhyNot–I like that they have stories behind them.
Thanks for the links tomndeb, the first one especially is full of good material I can definitely use. AFG, I’ll happily take any info you have so please do send it on. This is really much appreciated–I’ve been stalled out on this for what seems like ages!
