Animal Symbolism
When an animal represents an idea, quality, or god in a culture.
What is it?
Animal symbolism is the use of animals to stand for something else. In ancient Egypt, the sacred ibis symbolized Thoth, the god of writing and knowledge. The cat was linked to the goddess Bastet. In other cultures, the owl represents wisdom, and the lion represents strength. The ibis was also seen as a symbol of Egyptian culture during Greek and Roman times.
Why it matters
Animal symbolism helps us understand what people valued. It appears in art, stories, and religion. Recognizing symbols helps us read the meaning in museum objects.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more exhibits about animal symbolism.
