Symbol Dictionary: Animals J-M
Jaguar: According to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper, “The third largest cat in the world and the largest spotted one, the jaguar is held in considerable fear; it is a magical and were-animal and is a power symbol, although symbolically somewhat ambivalent, like the Chinese Tiger which represents male creative power and the fierce warrior but also the powers of darkness, the female earth and destructive forces, and is associated with the cave, symbol of the womb, and with the Western regions. It is a shamanic and cult figure for Central and Southern Indigenous Americans. The Mayans created sacrificial ceremonies and offerings to the Jaguar God and the Aztec God of Warriors, Tezcatlipoca is depicted as a Jaguar with an eagle at his side.
Ky-lin: This Chinese creature has the head of a dragon with a single horn, a lion’s mane, a stag’s body, and the tale of an ox and embodies the yin-yang with the Ky the masculine and Lin the feminine aspects. It is exceptionally gentle and symbolizes the feminine yin of benevolence and good will. Ky-lin accompanies sages and immortals and appears during the rein of virtuous monarchs, as well as heralds the birth of famous people like Confucius. According to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper, it is an “incarnation of the five elements of the five virtues and has in its composition the five colours.”
Lamb: The lamb has long been a substitute sacrificial offering in the Jewish tradition in exchange for the firstborn sons originally sacrificed. This custom led to the association of lamb with Christ, as the son of Yahweh (God) sacrificed for the people. Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983) explains, “As the Lamb of God (agnus dei), Jesus was supposed to redeem the firstborn son Adam, and through him the whole human race, which must be ‘washed in the blood of the Lamb,’ as the church taught.”
Leopard: The leopard “represents ferocity, aggression and courage,” according to Symbolic And Mythological Animals (1992) by J. C. Cooper. In Arabic it is called Nimir and also denotes a boy who shows courage, boldness, and grace. In Egypt it is the emblem of Osiris and associated with the Greek Dionysos. In China they symbolize bravery and warlike ferocity and in Africa they are often a cult animal and considered sacred to the Benin Royal Family in West Africa, as well as being a totem animal for the Ewe. Christianity associated the leopard with the devil.
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Lion: The lion is a symbol of the sun for Greece and Romans and also a symbol for the Goddess (Ishtar, Astarte, Cybele, and Hathor) in the Middle East and Egypt. The Lion also worked its way into Arthurian legends as the Sphinx-lioness. Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983) says, “Sometimes she appeared with two lion heads looking forward and backward, like her Roman counterpart Janus-Jane. This was a symbol of Time, with the hieroglyph xerefu and akeru, the Lions of Yesterday and Today.” See Sphinx. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And |
Myth (2002), “In China and Japan lions are symbols of bravery and protection. Pairs of stone lions guard the entrance to Buddhist temples and official buildings.” The lion on the right will be male and have its left paw over a globe symbolizing the sun. The lion on the left will be female and have its right paw on a cub, symbolizing compassion. A Golden-maned lion was the totem animal of Apollo-Chrysocomes.
Mascot: The mascot, as an animal representing a team or group, originated from animal familiars (spirits taking the form of animals). The most stereotypical example is that of a witch’s black cat. Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983) explains, “The mascot of a pagan totemic clan was its animal mask, worn on ceremonial occasions.” Traditionally associated with paganism and witchcraft, mascoto meant “witchcraft” and masco a “sorceress” in Provencal French, both words also derive from “mask.” See Mask.
Mouse: Totem animal of the Greek Sun God Apollo-Smitheus.