We often use phrases like “man’s best friend” to describe our relationship with a dog. But have you ever wondered exactly why that is? What are the things that dogs symbolize for us, what is the spiritual meaning dog?
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If that question has crossed your mind, this article is for you. It addresses the symbolism of dogs and all the meanings we associate with them.
Moreover, you will find a brief analysis of dogs in folklore and mythologies across cultures. That will help you understand how our intimate relationship with dogs has developed. Discussed below are the spiritual symbolism and meaning of dogs.
1. Loyalty
Loyalty, allegiance, and attachment immediately spring to mind when we think of dogs. Such symbolic meanings about dogs are deeply entrenched in our minds.
Hachiko, the Japanese dog, prominently featured in popular culture over the years, perfectly captures this trait. He is said to have waited nine long years for his owner’s return and became a global symbol of loyalty.
Hachiko may be one of the most notable examples of the loyalty of dogs, but he is by no means the only one. We have symbolized dogs as loyal watchdogs since the very beginning of human history.
Dogs come in so many breeds, each with its unique features and characteristics. But the totemic/symbolic significance and meaning of dogs apply to all breeds. If you need help choosing the best breed for yourself, you can seek assistance from welovedoodles.com.
2. Compassion
We perceive dogs to be empathic, social, and compassionate. They are gifted with an uncanny ability to sense human emotions. Moreover, they are one of the animals that represent healing.
For instance, dogs can often sense if you are having a bad day and come to comfort you. That is something you may have experienced yourself. Or, at the very least, that is a story you may have read online or heard from friends and family.
While we instinctively perceive dogs as compassionate companions, scientific studies have recently proven that dogs can understand human emotions and respond to them just as human beings.
3.Love and Affection
In addition to showing empathy when you are down, dogs can make you happier, even if you are already happy. They do this by spreading positive vibes and energy.
For instance, they will hug you when you desperately need one or play with you when you are in a playful mood. They will shower you with love and fill your heart with warmth and joy.
Dogs often do not even have to do anything to warm your heart. Simply because of all the things they symbolize can make us feel blessed to have them around.
These are just some of the reasons why dogs so powerfully symbolize love and affection in our minds.
4. Playfulness
If you own a dog or have been around dogs for some time, you already know how dogs symbolize playfulness. They seem to contain an unlimited reserve of energy and agility.
One of the best things about having a dog as a companion is that they never let you have a dull moment. They will run to you and pounce on you as soon as you return from work. Or, they might keep you busy with their games and antics during a lazy weekend visit to the park.
Dogs are great companions partly because they are so friendly and playful. That is why we love to keep them around us or have them accompany us for outings or a walk.
5. Intelligence
Dogs are brilliant animals. This is something we have learned through centuries of contact with them. That is one of the reasons why we use them to apprehend suspects involved in any crime.
Dogs demonstrate their intelligence in many ways. For instance, their superior intelligence enables them to understand your voice commands. Furthermore, they can pick up on your body language, expressions, the tone of your voice, and a myriad of other signals.
Dogs tend to have an excellent memory as well. That is how they blend in with your environment and become a member of your family. That is how they adjust to your home quickly and fall into predictable behavior patterns.
6. Intuitiveness
We commonly perceive the spiritual meaning dog to be symbols of intuitiveness as well. This has been addressed in earlier sections of the article. For instance, their intuitiveness allows dogs to understand your emotions and behavior.
But that is not the only expression of the intuitiveness of dogs. They can sense threats and dangers far more sharply than human beings can. Moreover, this intuitiveness allows them to become friends with strangers too.
Dogs can often appear to be better judges of other humans than you or anyone else in many ways. That is because they can intuitively figure out friendly individuals. So, if you find your dog becoming friends with someone, that is always a good sign.
7. Security
The notion that dogs provide a sense of security and watchfulness goes back to the ancient times of Greek mythology. It is one of the top animals that symbolize protection for us.
Having a dog around us can give us an immeasurable sense of security. That is perhaps a consequence of their intelligence, intuitiveness, loyalty, and other factors combined. But we do not consciously think of those things.
We spiritually consider them to be totems of protection and safety. With a dog by our side, we can sleep peacefully at night or go out on a stroll with complete peace of mind.
8. Friendship
There is a significant reason why we identify dogs as our best friends. They not only provide protection and comfort but can become genuine companions.
If any animals come close to, if not equals, the place of human companionship in our lives, it has to be dogs. Dogs get very attached to their human parents, while the human parents get attached to the dogs as well.
This happens because dogs can relate to us in a way other animals are unable to. They can provide us with unconditional love, affection, and comfort no matter what we are going through.
9. Endurance
Dogs tend to represent resilience and endurance for us as well. We have witnessed that dogs remain protective and loyal to human beings despite significant odds.
For instance, dogs are known to protect their owners or territory till their last breath. They are not animals that would run away from a fight or get scared too easily.
Dogs can not only endure attacks but mistreatment as well. They may become docile and apprehensive but never unruly or aggressive. There are usually no lapses in a dog’s loyalty or affection, even when badly treated. What can be a bitter testament to their endurance than that?
Dogs in Mythology and Folklore
Science has recently confirmed the symbolic meanings of dogs in our lives and society that you encountered in this article. However, we have spiritually resonated with the spiritual meaning dog over the years.
Even the most basic introduction to the mythologies and folklore of various cultures confirms that. For instance, the role of dogs as protectors has featured preeminently in Greek and Egyptian mythology. Both of those cultures symbolized dogs as protectors and guards.
Moreover, dogs were the only domesticated animals among many civilizations for hundreds of years. Native Americans were one such civilization.
Since they were primarily hunter-gatherers for much of their history, dogs were vital to their lives and livelihoods. Dogs gave them companionship and made lives easier by assisting in hunting and other day-to-day chores.
European myths and folklore consistently portrayed the darker side of dogs. From Norse and Germanic mythology to the Bible, dogs were seen to symbolize evil. Therefore, it is not surprising that Europeans were initially dumbfounded to see people’s positive meanings in other cultures associated with dogs.
However, the spiritual symbolism and meanings have become apparent to Europeans and non-Europeans alike over the years.
Final Thoughts
Even though early Europeans could not appreciate the positive relationship between dogs and human beings, the scenario is quite different today.
Across cultures, the spiritual meaning dog occupies a special place in our lives and societies. They symbolize many positive meanings for us. We may not always be able to articulate them or consciously perceive them, but we sense them spiritually.
Such symbolic meanings of dogs include security, love, affection, companionship, loyalty, and more. If we can spiritually resonate with such traits, we can allow dogs to be good omens for us and make our lives more prosperous and more fulfilling.
In case you’re interested in dogs and movies test your knowledge in this dog quiz.
