Interrelationship of godess and animals?

Question

can anyone give me some examples that summarize the importance of animals in goddess mythology.

I have my ideas bewteen the the bird goddess, animal shaman, dancing shamans

But I am looking for a more ocncrete way of wording and looking at the importance of it.

Answer 1

Aphrodite - dove and sparrow

Artemis - deer

Hestia - swine

Demeter - spotted lizard or gecko

Hecate - black female dog or a skunk

Erinyes - poisonous snake

Hera - peacock

Athena - owl

Persephone - screech owl

Rhea - lion

The 9 muses - dove

Leto - rooster and weasel

Eileithyia - weasel

Amphitrite - dolphin and seal

I'm all out, but I hope that helped. ( :

Answer 2

Hera was associated with the cow.

Hecate was matron of all wild animals, but was most commonly seen with dogs.

Morrigan is known as the Great Raven.

Athena is associated with the spider and the owl.

I had a great answer for one of your other questions, and don't feel like typing much anymore.  So, you can find the stories and symbolism, sorry.

Also, the oldest Goddesses, were almost all associated with the snake, who would shed its dead skin and be reborn a new creature.

Answer 3

The most ancient of the goddess, the Great Mother or Earth Mother was symbolized by the snake, who was seen as a creature who renewed and re-birthed itself.

Almost all goddesses from any pantheon has one or more animals associated with her.  Each animal represents her or was thought to be a messenger or go-between.  Hathor, the ancient Egyptian goddess of love was actually depicted with a cow's head, and the cow was her symbol.

But, really, even many male gods had/have animal symbols - Horus' symbol was a falcon, Anubis' a jackal, Cernonous a stag, etc.  The amount is staggering and much to involved to be fully addressed here.

Answer 4

This is a great question.