In memoria ad Antonio Gelsomino
Thursday, September 19, 2024

The hedgehog - symbolism

hedgehog

The hedgehog is a clear symbol of self-defense, because in case of danger it rolls into a tight thorny ball.

In ancient civilizations, due to the rounded shape of the protective spines, the hedgehog was considered as a symbol of the great mother-goddess, the Babylonian Ishtar. In other traditions, the bearer of spines, the hedgehog is considered as a solar symbol. It is also an allegory of the Renaissance and is associated with the sense of touch. According to Christian belief it represents a greedy and short-tempered hedgehog-robber that identifies greed, gluttony, anger, and it was compared to Satan who steals the souls of men.

In the East, the hedgehog is a symbol of wealth.

On the other hand, the hedgehog was once considered to be an enemy of the chthonic forces of evil, because it eats rodents, grubs and earthworms. Like many other animals, hedgehogs are affected by weather changes and they are particularly sensitive to changes of wind direction. According to some superstitious notions of the peoples of the West, the witches have the ability to turn into hedgehogs and under this guise suck all milk of cows.

READ ALSO:

 

The peacock - In Indian mythology, to draw its wings, reminiscent of many eyes, represents the image of a starry sky.

The spider - In ancient Indian tradition Brahma, the creator of all things, was allegorically called the spider that was spinning the web of the world.

The dove - In China, a dove is a symbol of longevity and filial piety. In the East, the dove is a symbol of love and marriage.

The tiger - The tiger is a symbol of power, strength and success, but at the same time it is a symbol of destruction, because the energy can be both creative and destructive.

The lion - In the symbolism of the elements associated with the fire, the lion represents courage, supreme power, nobility and pride.

The jaguar - Aztecs and Maya  believed that four jaguars represent the guardians of the road to peace.

The elephant - represents many qualities including: strength, royal power, dignity, patience, wisdom, longevity and happiness, as well as being a symbol of good luck.

The butterfly - is a symbol of a soul,  the fragility, the shortness of life, happiness and non-permanence.

The owl - It is a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, sensitivity, a prophetic gift, moderation, and melancholy.

The toad - In Vietnam, the toad is associated with rain, fertility, wealth, and sexuality. In Egypt, frogs were considered sacred animals.

The bear - The bear is a symbol of good will, heroic strength and clumsiness but also of malice, brutality and greed.

  • migliorare la vista

    Far prendere sole agli occhi

    Esercizi per migliorare la vista Le buone abitudini nell'uso della vista sono il primo passo, ma solo il primo passo verso il raggiungimento di una migliore visione. I passi da eseguire in questo...
  • Dondolare

    Dondolare Dondolarsi ha la funzione di un rilassante: quando si esegue al momento di coricarsi, porta ad una intera notte piena di riposo e ha il potere di allontanare l'insonnia. Inoltre, migliora...
  • Figura dell'otto

    Figura dell’otto Questo esercizio ha innumerevoli varianti, in pratica con la punta del naso si descrive il numero otto (o, se si preferisce, il segno dell'infinito). Suona un po' stupido, no? Ma,...
  • tempesta di Giorgione dipinto

    Tempesta di Giorgione - il mondo nomade nell'arte

    Tempesta di Giorgione
  • piede

    Piede egizio greco e romano

    Piede egizio greco e romano Qualcuno Vi era mai fatto la domanda: Hai un piede egizio, greco o romano? Pochi sanno che questa teoria nasce dalle vele antiche. Sono le tre vele dell'antichità: il...
  • mitologia acquario

    Mitologia dell'Acquario

    Acquario Febbraio è il mese dell’Acquario, l'undicesimo segno dello zodiaco. A differenza di Saturno e del Capricorno, che significa incarnazione, potere, fatalità, Urano e Acquario portano la...