Fish Symbolism

DOLPHIN PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 

There are many species of Dolphins, including the Atlantic Spotted, Spinner, Rough Toothed, and the most common the Bottlenose Dolphin. 

They are recognizable in appearance as they have an elongated, symmetrical body with one dorsal fin on the back and two pectoral fins underneath, with a caudal or tail fin on the back. They also have a long, thick snout and a curved mouth, giving them the appearance that they are smiling. 

Typically, Dolphins are grey, but there are some species with white and silver coloring. They vary in size and range from five feet to over thirty feet in length. They are amazing swimmers, they use their back fin, tail and pectoral fins to powerfully glide through water. They can reach speeds of almost 20mph and can dive downwards of up to 15 miles below the surface.  

Dolphins are very unique as they live underwater but must rise to the surface to breathe air. They have a blow hole at the top of their head and to inhale air, they open the hole and then close it to retain the air while they dive back below the water’s surface again. They are extremely powerful swimmers and can hold their breath for upwards of seven minutes.

They are very adaptable and can live in a wide range of ocean habitats including both freshwater and saltwater, although they do prefer saltwater. Dolphins are found all over the world and live in the open oceans, coastal seas, rivers, bays, and even lakes. There are some species that are region specific, but most are widely distributed across the globe. 

They are carnivorous and their typical menu selection consists of fish and squid. There are some larger species that hunt for larger prey such as sea lions and seals. However, Dolphins are opportunistic when they forage, and they will not shy away from any good aquatic species to feast upon. 

Dolphins are social creatures and travel in groups, also known as pods. Typically, there are anywhere from 12-16 in the pod, and they work cooperatively together to hunt, play and raise their young. 

When Dolphins hunt in packs, they utilize their high intelligence to locate and catch prey they could not catch alone. Several members of the pod blow bubbles around the fish to confuse them to drive to the shore, making it easy to be caught by the other members of the pod, lying in wait. 

The Bottlenose Dolphin is exceptionally intelligent and a master communicator. They can send verbal messages to other Dolphis using squeaks, whistles as well as body language. Some of the forms of non-verbal communication include leaping out of the water, snapping their jaw and butting their heads. It has also been said that Dolphins have their own unique whistle or call that is specific to them. 

We can find the Bottlenose Dolphin quite frequently as this is the species seen most often in zoos and aquariums. Trainers are able to teach them behavior that assists them in caring for them in captivity. This is also known as husbandry and includes medical exams, treatments and more. 

They can also learn to understand human language. As they work with their trainers, they build a rapport through behavior and verbal speech patterns. Essentially, both the trainer and the Dolphin learn specific ques that can indicate a particular need or desire. 

On the surface it is quite similar to training our dogs to sit or catch the ball and return it. With Dolphins being wild animals, there is an abundance of skills needed on the part of the trainer to ensure a successful Dolphin and trainer relationship. 

DOLPHIN SYMBOLISM INTRODUCTION

As a Spirit Animal, Dolphins symbolize intelligence, emotions, communication, community, group bonds, willpower, joy and happiness. Dolphins are a powerful ally on our journey into our inner landscape. They help us understand the complexity of our emotions and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves. 

SYMBOLIC KEYWORDS

· Intelligence

· Emotions

· Communication

· Community

· Willpower

· Play

KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS

Intelligence

Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures. The Bottlenose Dolphins illustrates this with their ability to learn behaviors and human communication. Trainers work with them in captivity through a practice called husbandry. Husbandry is comprised of physical health, environmental enrichment and behavior. 

With the Dolphins intellect, intricate language, and communication abilities, they are able to exhibit verbal and nonverbal ques as to what they need, as well as respond to stimuli. We can see this in action as we visit a Dolphin show as they chase the ball and leap high in the air for it. 

The Dolphin reminds us that although we use our five senses to navigate our world, it is important to remember there is always another layer hidden beneath the surface. At times we can rely too heavily on verbal communication when we should be looking deeper at what the person is showing us.

Body language can tell quite a story, at times even more than words. When we are agitated, we will shift our body or shake our foot, or when we are sad, we may hang our heads low or try to sink back to the back of room out of sight.

It is important to pay attention to our surroundings and those we care about. Sometimes people will keep saying they are ok even when they are not. It's never a bad idea to keep checking in, even if they do not open up, at least they know that someone cares. 

Emotions

Dolphins are highly intuitive creatures. They are intelligent and rely on their intellect and emotions to guide them on their path. They have the ability to communicate with their tribe mates as well as with humans through their intricate verbal and nonverbal language. 

With their deep connection to the ocean, Dolphins represent the element of Water, which symbolizes purification, cleansing, transformation, intuition, emotions, and spiritual growth. They leap into our lives to alert us when our heart and mind are out of sync and that we need to find balance. 

It is easy to get caught up in our problems and lose sight of a path forward. Perhaps we are riddled with too many ruminating thoughts, or our emotions are all over the place. When our mind or heart take the lead, it can cloud our judgement and our ability to think clearly. If we do not resolve our inner conflict, the thoughts or emotions can become unmanageable, causing chaos in our lives. 

Dolphins remind us of the importance of finding balance in every aspect of our lives. When we are faced with challenges, we can find a path forward if we take time to find a quiet space and work through the emotions or thoughts that are playing on loop in our minds. When we get to the root cause of our struggles, we can find the clarity we need to move forward.

Communication

Dolphins are master communicators. They have an intricate verbal language that includes peeps, squeaks and whistles. They also can develop their own unique whistle or call that is individual to them. They have a way to establish a rapport with both animals and humans alike.

With the peaceful and graceful nature of the Dolphin, they remind us the importance of communicating with empathy, compassion and understanding. They guide us to let go of judgement and embrace the diversity and differences we all share.

At times, it can be challenging to take the high road, especially when we do not agree with someone’s point of view. We have the inner power to rise above our need to be right or our need to be in control, and we can let go of our judgement of others. Learning to embrace the differences we share is how we evolve and grow spiritually. 

Community

Dolphins are the essence of community and group bonds. They live in pods of 12-16 and together, they will hunt, forage, and raise their young. They work in unison as a cooperative unit for the good of the whole. 

Together, they work to catch prey they couldn’t on their own. With their high intelligence, part of the pod drives the prey to the surface while the others are waiting to seize the moment. The cooperation they display with this ritual illustrates the value of loyalty, trust and group bonds. 

There are many that value independence and order over their lives. They may prefer to do things on their own vs asking for help. However, this can be a double-edged fin. We can become too dependent on ourselves and then we lose sight of the value in relationships. 

We feel we know better, or we can do things better, so we try and do so, on our own. We may succeed or we may fail. Either way, it is a lonely path and one that is unnecessary. 

We can embrace the lesson from the Dolphin and how freely and openly they live with their tribes. They show us that we can trust and commit to a tribe or group, as it leads to a path of growth and development. Perhaps like us humans, they also went around to several tribes before they found just the right one. 

Willpower

The Dolphin is unique in that they can live underwater, but they also require air to breathe. They have a blowhole on the top of their head that allows them to travel to the surface, open the hole to take a gulp of air, then return to the ocean floor. They can remain underwater upwards of seven minutes.

They showcase their strength, resilience and willpower with their ability to hold their breath for so long. It is a powerful thought to know that seven minutes can change your life. And like the Dolphin, we have the inner power to succeed and achieve our goals in the face of adversity, distractions or temptations in life.

Play

The one thing Dolphins know how to do is have FUN! They are extremely playful and full of joy. Watching Dolphins in nature or at a live show is quite a sight to see. They chirp and squeak and jump with delight as they chase each other in the ocean or that little bouncing ball in the pool. With their leaping antics and gleeful smiles, they represent the importance of finding joy, laughter and play in our lives. 

Dolphins symbolize the importance of play and being light-hearted. There are times in our life when we get bogged down in the day to day. Always a meeting to get to or a school function and the routine can become drab. We lose sight of the color of the world around us. 

The Dolphin reminds us of the importance of laughter, play and embracing our inner child. We all need to cut loose sometimes and take some time to embrace our imagination, to find joy and take a run in the sprinklers or jump in the mud. If animals were a big part of your childhood, take a trip to a nature park and reminisce with the animal friends around you and allow them to fill your heart and soul with love, laughter and joy. 

SPIRIT ANIMAL

As Spirit Animals, Dolphins can guide us on our path to self-discovery and help us develop emotional intelligence and better communication skills. They also guide us in working with our Inner Child archetype. Reminding us of the importance of play, joy and peace. Dolphins help us navigate the complexities of our past and release the hold of the painful emotions and find a path to healing.

Play

In their own lives, Dolphins value the importance of laughter, joy and play. We can see it as they interact with their own pod as well as when we have the opportunity to see them in an aquarium setting. Dolphins are engaged, interactive and freely communicate and express themselves. They fill the atmosphere with love, laughter and happiness.

As we travel into our inner landscape, Dolphins can provide guidance and support as they are another Spirit Guide representing our Inner Child archetype. This archetype is one of our four survival archetypes, and it is an archetype that we collectively share. 

There are several sub-archetypes associated with the Inner Child that can further guide us to discover our own individual qualities and shadow patterns. 

Some of the sub-archetypes include the Wounded Child, Orphan/Abandoned Child, Dependent Child, Innocent Child, Nature Child, and Divine Child. Our Inner Child is the guardian of our innocence and is the starting point where we establish our perceptions around life, nurturing, family and safety. 

As we embark on the journey within, our travels will lead us to our childhood. For some it may be simple while for others it be a tricky journey. Many have experienced childhood trauma and have wounds that have left deep scars. It is never easy to revisit the past, but with support and guidance, we can find a path to freedom and healing. 

Dolphin’s swim into our lives to let us know it is time to reconnect with our Inner Child. They may be alerting us that we need to dig deep into our inner world and finally work through and release the painful memories of the past. 

They guide us to make space within to discover our shadow and archetypal patterns and begin to work with their energy in a positive way, to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. 

The Dolphin guide may be leaping into our life to let us know it's time to lighten up and have some fun. Finding joy, laughter, imagination and fun in our lives. 

Perhaps we are stuck and stagnating in our path, and we have lost our spark, the light that keeps us moving forward with purpose and love in our hearts. The Dolphin reminds us that loosening up and letting go is good for the soul. 

When we begin to work with the energy of our Inner Child archetype, we can tap into a wealth of wisdom, imagination and creativity. 

Our Inner Child Archetype embodies our innocence and times when we felt anything was possible and no dream was too big to achieve. That no matter what we wanted to do in life we would always succeed, a time when we had complete trust and faith in ourselves. 

Emotions

Dolphins are emotional, intelligent and highly intuitive creatures. They work in harmony with their intellect and their emotions to maintain balance in their lives. Through their intricate verbal and nonverbal language, they can communicate with their fellow Dolphins as well as humans, demonstrating their ability to intuit their surroundings with grace and ease.  

Dolphins are also connected to the element of Water, which symbolizes purification, cleansing, transformation, intuition, emotions, and spiritual growth. They leap into our lives to alert us when we are out of balance in our hearts or minds and its time to refocus and recenter. 

As we embark on the journey within it can get tricky. We begin to discover attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that caused harm to ourselves and others. We can become overwhelmed with shame and guilt and lose sight of the lesson the experience was trying to teach us. 

It is important to have a healthy self-esteem and self-worth while on the inner work path. When we trust ourselves, we are confident while on the journey, we can clearly see the truth and wisdom in each experience and can let go of the feelings of shame and guilt. 

When we embark on the journey of emotional excavating, practicing self-love, self-care and grace are crucial to maintain emotional and mental balance while on the path.  

Self-love is more than the appreciation of oneself, it is practicing acceptance and forgiveness with our strengths and weaknesses, and our wounds and scars. At its core, it represents honoring ourselves and our needs, and taking care of our physical, mental and emotional health.

Incorporating a Self-Love practice into your life can help build self-esteem, compassion, confidence, and self-worth, while finding balance in mind, body and soul. It helps us accept and love all that we deem unfavorable about ourselves and find a path to healing. The Dolphin reminds us with their graceful and fluid motion that we can learn to love again. 

TOTEM ANIMAL

For those born under the Dolphin totem, they are kindhearted, happy, emotionally stable, highly intelligent, and social.  When they are faced with a challenge, they find a way through by tapping into their inner strength and intuition. 

Dolphin people are sensitive and can be emotional, but they value balance, so they strive to ensure they maintain a healthy outlook on life. They generally are spiritual and have self-love and self-care practices or routines that help them maintain balance in mind, body and soul. 

They are also great communicators and approach things from a diplomatic perspective. They can see both sides of the story with ease and make great mediators. This serves them well in their careers and relationships. 

Those born under the Dolphin totem are typically highly intelligent and can absorb a great amount of detail and enjoy working in creative settings where they can showcase this ability. 

They prefer deeper connections as they are sensitive and like to dive into deep discussions about all things creative, historic and life. Although they are very social, they also crave their alone time to reset and to nurture the loving relationships they have in their life.

POWER ANIMAL

As a Power Animal, Dolphins can guide us in finding our inner power in communication and the power of play. 

The Dolphin is a powerful ally in communication. If we are having problems finding the right words to say or we are lacking confidence to speak up, the Dolphin serves as a reminder that we have the confidence and inner strength to overcome our fears and speak our truth. If our intentions are pure of heart, then it's time to speak out with wild abandon. 

When we are feeling out of sorts, perhaps we are sad or just feeling frustrated with life, the Dolphin springs into our lives to help us tap into our inner joy. With their fun antics and playful routines, it is easy to embrace this joyful energy. We can let go of the problems and worries and tap into our imagination and creativity. We can restore joy in our lives.

HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM 

Native American

In Native American spiritual traditions, the Dolphin is seen as a sacred guardian offering protection for those traveling the sea. They are also connected to community and tribes and represent the importance of a strong community foundation. Dolphins are also associated with reincarnation and rebirth. 

Celtic

In Celtic spiritual culture, Dolphins are seen as protectors of all the worlds water and all the creatures that inhabit this sacred space. They also symbolize good luck and protection so those traveling have safe passage. Dolphins are also connected to the mystical world of magic and dreams. 

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STARFISH PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Starfish live deep under the sea, yet they are not actually fish. They do not have a vertebral column or backbone they are considered an invertebrate. Some other species in this category include corals, sponges, jellies, crabs and crayfish. 

They are intriguing in that they do not have a brain, instead they have an interconnected and evenly distributed nervous system. This allows them to use their limbs to gather the information needed for survival. 

Starfish can vary in size and color depending on the species. There are approximately 1600 different species of Starfish living among us. Some species are particularly striking in color from blues, reds, purples and pinks. 

Their coloring gives them the ability to camouflage themselves against the coral as protection against predators. They also have the ability to shed an arm to escape an attack. 

Starfish are unique in appearance and have roundish bodies with five arms that extend outward. They are spiney on their arms which contain their suckers or gripper-like organs. This gives them maneuverability to navigate the ocean floor. 

Another interesting feature of the Starfish is their visual capabilities. They have eyespots on the tips of their arms, and this is how they can detect darkness and light as well as locate food. 

Starfish have the ability to live in a variety of ocean habitats which include coral reefs, sea grass and rocky shores. They are carnivores and their typical menu selection consists of clams, snails and oysters. They have also been known to eat smaller organisms. 

In order for a Starfish to consume its meal, after attaching itself, it will then extend its stomach out through its mouth. As the stomach retracts backward into the body the Starfish’s digestive enzymes allow the nutrients to pass through the stomach and when the stomach returns to normal position, the digestive process is complete. 

Another unique characteristic of the Starfish is their ability to heal themselves. If they fall victim to an attack and sustain injuries or lose a limb they can go through a regenerative process and regrow lost or damaged limbs. They are quite resilient. 

STARFISH SYMBOLISM INTRODUCTION

As a Spirit Animal, the Starfish symbolizes emotions, regeneration, flexibility, duality, and intuition. The Starfish is a powerful ally on our inner world journey, guiding us to work through the complexities of our emotions and release fears and self-limiting beliefs holding us back from progress and growth. 

SYMBOLIC KEYWORDS

· Emotions

· Healing

· Regeneration

· Protection 

· Intuition

KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS

Emotions

Starfish live deep in the ocean floor and do not come to the surface. They navigate their surroundings primarily with feeling, sensing and intuition while using their intricate nervous system. With their deep connection to water and profound ability to sense their way through life, they symbolize our emotional landscape. 

It is important to develop healthy emotions. For many, emotions can be difficult to process and even feel, while for others, they may be overwhelmed with emotions. Taking the time to ask reflective questions like “why am I feeling this way?” is one path to emotional self-discovery.

At times we may respond with, I just don’t want to feel anything, to feeling an intense sadness or anger. Asking why aids us in getting to the core reason for our emotional struggles. As we do, we can take the time to honor our emotions, but not allow them to consume us. We can release the hold they have over us and find a path to emotional wholeness. This process can restore balance in mind, body and soul. 

Healing/Regeneration

Starfish are unique as they have the ability to regenerate their limbs. If they are in battle and receive an injury or they decide to drop an arm to prevent further injury, they can heal and make themselves whole again. 

Although as humans, we may not be able to manifest a new limb, we do have the power to regenerate our inner landscape and heal our physical bodies. The concept that thoughts become things, and what we think we manifest into reality, is a universal truth. 

If we doubt the validity of this, we can look at our own lives and the physical illness that manifested as a result of carrying heavy or negative emotions, or dark thoughts. It may be small like constant head colds or migraines, or it could be more serious like chronic back pain, or chronic heart issues. Our bodies have a way to let us know when we are out of alignment with our true nature or our spiritual center. 

When we take a deeper look at how we think, feel and behave we can discover patterns in our life that are causing our inner world and outer world suffering. We can work through our emotional challenges and change our thought patterns. This can change the trajectory of our lives, as this one simple change in mindset can make a huge difference.

Protection 

Starfish are flexible and adaptable as they have the ability to protect themselves by way of camouflage as well as dropping a limb if under attack. This serves them well as their vivid coloring hides them seamlessly into the ocean floor with the coral and marine life and their own vibrant patterns. They can further protect themselves so that if they are in battle with a predator, they can drop a limb for a quick escape.

Starfish symbolize protection and our ability to protect ourselves as well as ask for protection from others. For some, it can be difficult to ask for help, especially if in a difficult situation. By nature, most humans want to appear strong and unrattled by challenge. 

This can only get us so far as we will be faced with circumstances in life when we need to rely on the support of others. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It showcases our ability to stay humble and admit to our limitations. 

For some, it may be difficult to speak up and set boundaries. Perhaps there is a lack of confidence, or visible emotions that are causing the issue. The Starfish also represents emotional stability and navigating the complex nature of our emotional landscape. 

At the root cause of our chaotic or unrelenting emotions are painful memories, fears and outdated beliefs that need to be released. When we embark on the path within, we can find a path to healing and become our own protector.

Intuition

Since Starfish do not have a brain, they rely solely on their physical senses which comes from the nerve centers contained within their limbs. For the Starfish, this is how they survive in the world. With this connection they symbolize intuition and the emotional flow of our inner landscape. 

When experience challenging times it is easy to easy to get stuck in our heads. Our thoughts can become overwhelming and chaotic making it difficult to find a path forward. 

We have the ability to clear the clutter from our minds and tap into the power of our emotions and feel our way through the situation. When we balance our mind and emotions we can tap into our own inner resources for guidance. Our intuition will not lead us astray. 

SPIRIT ANIMAL

As Spirit Animals, Starfish can guide us on our path to self-discovery and help us develop emotional stability, inner strength and resilience. They can help us navigate the complexities of our emotions and develop a better relationship with ourselves and others.

Emotional Stability

Starfish live deep in the ocean floor and remain deep within the water. With the Starfish ability to navigate their way through their environment primarily with the use of feeling and sensing and their connection to the element of Water, they symbolize emotions. Water represents purification, cleansing, transformation, and emotions.

Emotional stability is truly all encompassing as it doesn’t just rely on our feelings and emotions. In order to find a true path to healing we also need to look at our mental state as well as how we physically live our lives. For some, finding physical balance can be a challenge. 

As humans we are always running from here to there for this class, or that appointment, taking the kids to school then off to work. We tend to live at a fast pace in our lives which can cause additional stress if we do not take time to slow down and reset.

The same is true with how we think and what we believe. The quality of our thoughts has a great impact on our emotional and physical bodies and if we are in a constant state of stress, anger or depression, it will become the dominant expression in our lives. This can cause all kinds of disruption from our careers to our relationships.

When we get to the core of our emotional suffering, we can find a path to healing. When we let go of the hold of the past, we can start to rebuild our self-esteem and self-worth. This guides us to build inner strength and confidence, and we can navigate our inner landscape with clarity and focus. We can find a path to become balanced and whole in mind, body, and soul. 

A Path to Healing

Starfish have the impressive ability to regenerate. If the Starfish sustains injury or loss of an arm, they have the impressive ability to regenerate and heal themselves. This process can take up to a year to complete as even for Starfish, it represents the lengthy process of healing. 

At some point in our lives, we will be touched by physical illness or emotional trauma, whether that is personally or to someone we love. That is just the cycles and nature of life. We may think these types of things will never happen to us, but they do. How we respond to them is crucial for our self-development and spiritual growth.

For many, the path to healing is a long road, whether that is healing emotional traumas or physical illness or pain. It can get tricky as we live in a society where with the touch of a button on our phone, we instantly have food at our door, or a ride to take us across town. Unfortunately, this can put us into the headspace of instant gratification and that healing is a light switch. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

To heal the whole person, we need to look within, we need to get to the core reasons for our emotional struggles and ruminating thoughts, fear patterns and shadow sides. 

Embarking on the journey into our inner landscape can guide us to discover the past memories and experiences holding us back from progress and growth. We can release the hold of the emotional pain and begin to heal. 

So much of our physical pain is a result of emotional trauma, negative thoughts and fear patterns. We have the power to heal ourselves both emotionally and physically if we do the work. As we heal our inner wounds, we release the hold of the pain but retain the lesson from the experience. In doing so, our physical bodies begin to regenerate and heal. 

TOTEM ANIMAL

Those born under the Starfish totem are emotionally stable, handle challenges with strength, embrace the diversity of others, and live a life of purpose embracing their true nature. They also tend to live outside the box of traditional norms and belief structures as they like to pave their own path. 

They are always seeking ways to improve themselves and the quality of their relationships and experiences.  They crave deep emotional connections, and they understand this starts within and they are fearless in their pursuit of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. 

Starfish people are social but also need their alone time. They value the importance of self-care, self-love and balance in mind, body and soul. They commit to themselves and take the time for their practices and rituals that help them feel whole and spiritually centered. 

In relationships those born under the Starfish totem like to have peace and harmony within their tribes. This serves well for interpersonal relationships as well as career paths. They make great leaders as long as they can keep their emotions balanced. 

POWER ANIMAL

As a Power Animal, the Starfish is a helpmate to aid us with finding clarity, and strength as well as stabilizing our emotions.

If we are faced with a challenge or we are having trouble making a decision, we can draw on the power from the Starfish to find clarity. Since they do not have a brain, they sense their surroundings, so they do not have to contend with the chaos of overwhelming thought patterns. They teach us that we can tap into our inner resources and cut through the clutter in our minds. In doing so, we can find a path forward with purpose and direction.

Starfish are a powerful representation of our emotional landscape with their deep connection to the water and their intricate nervous system, this gives them the ability to intuit their surroundings. They guide us to trust ourselves and our inner voice. We are all designed with intuitive systems and like a muscle, the more we use it, the stronger it becomes. In doing so, we can navigate the complications of life with strength, courage and emotional stability. 

HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM 

Native American

Many Native American spiritual cultures regard the Starfish as a beacon of hope and healing. Some also revere them as a symbol of new beginnings and the creation of new life. It has also been said that some tribes believe that the Starfish has the ability to shape shift and has the ability to assist those on the journey from one world to the next. 

Celtic

In Celtic spiritual cultures, the Starfish symbolizes hope, guidance and inspiration. With their healing and restorative nature, in some traditions they also viewed the Starfish as a representation of transformation, rebirth. 

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