Animal or plant is the patron of the primitive. Patron animal or plant

Today the topic of totems and their acquisition has become quite popular. We gain knowledge about this mainly from the shamanic practice of the Indians, who, fortunately, practically did not change the essence of the ancient teaching.

The Slavs also worshiped animals and plants, so each clan had its own Animal or patron (totem). It personified the unity of the clan and its strength. Accordingly, this genus was prohibited from destroying or killing a given plant or animal. The health, life and well-being of the clan and each family member magically depended on the totem.

This or the plants reflected the true strength of the genus and its capabilities. Man correlated with this animal and seemed to merge with it. At any time, if necessary, a person could call on his totem for help and receive all its powerful power. Since a totem is a figurative and energetic representation of an animal, it contains the absolute strength of a given type, although it also contains all the weaknesses and shortcomings, but it is more leveled than that of an ordinary animal.

The dictionary defines it as “ natural object, used by the American Indians as an emblem or clan.” In fact, totems have a much deeper meaning and are more closely related to life. Totems help us understand ourselves. They serve as a means of communication with our inner dynamics and reflect those substances that make up the personality of our temporary, bodily self. In other words, totems help us understand why we are the way we are. They indicate strengths and weak sides our character reveals our strengths and weaknesses.

Totems contribute to the awareness of our inner potential, its awakening and self-expression - both for our own pleasure and for the benefit of other people, some totems are represented in the form of animals, since the human qualities and attributes embodied in the totem are most clearly manifested in some specific type of animal.

Don't forget that American Indians, like our own ancient ancestors, were very close to nature and knew the habits of wild animals well. But images and sculptures of animals are not the only type of totems. There are mineral and plant totems, also associated with various aspects of the human personality.

Totem animals are sometimes also called Power Animals, a totem channel, energy of a certain frequency, an ally. In principle, according to the beliefs of shamans, each of us has an animal of power, regardless of whether he knows about it or not. We may even lose or lose animal strength due to illness, laziness, mental overstrain or other reasons. The mere presence of a channel does not mean that its qualities are already available and used; they are merely present, awaiting their expression and development.

The main quality of the totem corresponds to the characteristics of the animal whose appearance it has. For example, the main attribute of a lion is considered strength, an eagle - vigilance, foxes - cunning, a beaver - constructiveness, turtles - perseverance, snakes - transformation, and so on.

A person can also have several totems. The main condition is that they coexist harmoniously in one person. For if this is not so, the person will be irritable, changeable and may lose his own essence.

Let's learn how to identify your totem through meditation.

Some meanings of totem animals

Badger– belligerence, determination, passion, control, avoidance of persecution, resistance.

Squirrel. Think about how active you are and whether you are sufficiently prepared for possible surprises. Are you too active? Or, on the contrary, is activity enough for you? Perhaps you have refused to make plans for the future. Are you acting too chaotically? Perhaps you are fussing too much, but what are you missing out on? Do you know how to save time, effort, etc.? Does the thought that you will never achieve your goal frighten you? Perhaps you are too “fixated” on accumulation and saving? Shouldn't you be more generous!

Wolf. People associated with the wolf as a totem animal are often distinguished by particularly expressive gestures, postures and facial expressions. If it is difficult to express your thoughts and feelings, turn to the wolf for help, he has rich facial expressions.
Each member of a wolf pack is clearly aware of his place and his relationships with other members of the pack. Another lesson of the wolf as a totem is the lesson of ritualized behavior, thanks to which the hierarchy in wolf society is maintained. The structure of a wolf pack cannot be called either strictly autocratic or democratic, in the full sense of the word. There are periods when the pack completely submits to the authority of the leader, but at other times *democracy* reigns. It is due to this flexibility that the flock manages to survive. The wolf can teach us a lesson about good governance in which there is a balance between the authority of individuals and democracy. The Wolf helps us understand that true freedom can only be achieved through discipline.
How the wolf totem teaches us to respect and honor family bonds and love children. The energy of the totemic wolf can occur at intervals of about two years.
If the wolf is your totem, also study the quality of the raven, since in nature they are connected. People with a wolf totem have well-developed intuition.
The wolf is characterized by the ability for emotional attachment, which arises quickly and turns out to be very persistent. Consequently, another lesson of this totem is the lesson of trust in intuitive impressions and the ability to rely on them in your emotional attachments. The wolf teaches you to listen to your inner voice and this protects you from wrong actions. He will always protect you - sometimes strictly, sometimes affectionately, but always with love. Meeting a wolf as a totem animal means it's time to breathe new life into everyday rituals. We create our own destiny and lead it ourselves. And if we observe discipline and maintain harmony, we will learn the true spirit of freedom.

Crow- one of the most symbolic birds, it is the bird of birth and death, it is a symbol of mysticism and magic. Raven is a bird that brings news from the great kingdom of the spirit. Among the Indian tribes, the raven was respected. Raven saved the world from chaos, he stole the sun from the one who tried to plunge the world into eternal darkness. The raven symbolizes the fusion of the human spirit with the animal spirit. The raven as a totem animal can teach the language of animals. With its help you can awaken magic, it gives you the opportunity to become a sorcerer. A time of strength for those associated with this totem, the winter sun and all winter months. Inherent, magic, werewolf and creativity.

Rabbit). Some people consider the rabbit to be a cowardly animal, but in fact it is excellent at defending itself. You can borrow the techniques that a rabbit uses to protect itself to your advantage. Rabbits often make temporary shelters for themselves, in which they can rest and hide from their pursuers. For this purpose, they dig shallow holes with two exits. If you are connected to a rabbit as a totem animal, try to consider all possible scenarios and always leave room for choice. Meeting a rabbit may mean that you should spend more time making plans for the future or checking on the progress of plans that you have already begun to implement. Don't let your opponents drive you into a corner. Rabbits skillfully hide from enemies. They can freeze in place and stand for a long time without moving. This is important because many predators are able to distinguish moving objects from a great distance. If you are involved in a competition - be it a competition or a game - try not to give away your movements in any way.
In addition, the rabbit is a master at confusing its tracks and making quick, sharp turns. When escaping pursuit, he is capable of developing enormous speed. Anyone associated with this totem should master the art of instantly moving from complete stillness to rapid movement. This will help you achieve great success. You will be able to capitalize on fleeting chances.
Rabbits are herbivores. If you are working with this totem, pay attention to
your diet. From time to time sit down vegetarian diet: It will strengthen your body and allow you to quickly get rid of diseases. It is also advisable for those with this totem who are engaged in healing to exclude – at least temporarily – meat products from the diet.
The rabbit will teach you to recognize the meaning of the signs that nature gives you. It will help you tune in to the lunar cycle and understand the rhythm of the ebbs and flows in your life. And thanks to this, your creative potential will increase: you will become much more prolific in all areas.

Snake. It is characterized by rebellion, resurrection, initiation, wisdom. In various religious traditions, the snake is a symbol of higher wisdom and the embodiment of base instincts. For Indians, the snake is a symbol of transformation and healing. In Greece, a symbol of alchemy and healing; in India, the goddess Vinata is revered - the mother of snakes, mistress of the waters and the underworld. Transmutation of snakes (shedding of skin) means the acquisition of higher wisdom, which comes only with time. If the snake has become your totem, in some area of your life you will have to undergo death and rebirth. We are hardly talking about real death, rather it will be a transformation. Meeting the snake totem may mean that your creative powers are awakening. The rattlesnake is active during the cool night hours, but intense heat is fatal to it. By working with this totem you will find that a nocturnal lifestyle is more favorable for you. The snake is a symbol of transformation and healing, it is dexterous and agile, if it becomes your totem, then you will acquire new creative powers and wisdom.

Mole– connection with the earth, knowledge of minerals and herbs, touch, introspection, love, sensitivity to subtle energies, resourcefulness.

Leopard- a symbol of cruelty, ferocity, aggressiveness, courage, fearlessness, bravery, swiftness, activity.

Bat. There are a lot of misconceptions associated with the bat, just like with the wolf. For example, they still believe that mice are servants of the devil. But there is something else that is more pleasant for bats, for example, in ancient Babylon it symbolized the souls of the dead, in China, happiness and longevity, among the ancient Mayans it personified initiation and rebirth. Jamie Sams and David Carson consider the bat to be the personification of traditional shamanic death - the passage beyond the former self, which we no longer need.
If the bat has become your totem, it is time to face your fears and prepare for an important change. It's time to leave the old behind and create something new. With the advent bat as a totem, you can discover that something has gone wrong in life.
All changes and transformations are a true gift from heaven. The root cause of any change lies within us, and the external world is only a mirror of the internal.
A bat can symbolize an encounter with something that frightens us. She talks about the need to overcome your fears. How a totem gives hope, which will allow you to stay afloat in the chaos of change. It symbolizes the ability to rise to new heights.
In Tarot cards there is a card of the Hanged Man - it symbolizes overcoming obstacles, the perception of higher wisdom and the awareness of new truths. There is a connection between him and the bat - they are similar in meaning.
Bats are sociable. An encounter with a totem indicates either a need for more active communication or new opportunities to communicate with many people.
The magic of the bat sharpens auditory perception. It awakens the ability to hear the voices of spirits.
If she has become your totem, then you promise the ability to recognize hidden meaning in other people's words.

Fox– intelligence, observation, loyalty, secrecy, cunning. This totem indicates the need to develop the ability to disguise, invisibility and werewolf. If the fox entered your life as a totem, this may indicate the awakening of kundalini energy. The person to whom the fox often comes is endowed with enormous abilities for self-expression in the field of sex and can easily develop, enrich and diversify them. However, this feature may remain hidden until the right moment arrives. In addition, the sense of smell is symbolically associated with the highest forms of legibility and insight. Anyone who works with fox magic should carefully “sniff” each situation. This will help you understand who you should be in a relationship with and who you should avoid.

Horse. The horse is associated with both funeral rites and birth: the souls of people enter and leave this world on horseback. The Scandinavian god Odin rode an eight-legged stallion. In Hinduism, stallions are harnessed to the chariot of the sun god Surya, and in Greek mythology- into the chariot of Helios. The horse was endowed with the ability to predict the future. There are many legends in which horses act as clairvoyant animals, capable of also recognizing people who practice magic. In mystical terms, a horse is one of the embodiments of a magical gift in a person.

The symbolism of the horse is rich and complex. The horse can represent movement and travel. It is possible that she has become your totem to help you move and move towards your cherished goal. The horse can symbolize desires, primarily sexual desire. The stallion often served as a symbol of sexuality, and the taming of a stallion was a symbol of curbing sexuality and dangerous passions.
Study your totem in relation to your own life. Pay attention to the color of this horse and think about what this color means to you personally. How does this horse appear in your mind's eye? Is she running? Or is it always worth it? Are you riding her or looking at her from the side?
If the horse has become your totem, then perhaps it is time for you to explore such aspects of your life as wanderlust and a thirst for freedom. Do you feel limited in any way? Do you want to leave the past behind and move on? Perhaps you should release someone from your circle? Or is it time for you to defend your own freedom and assert your power in some new areas of life? What are you doing to develop civilized relations in your environment? And what are the people around you doing for this? Do you value the benefits that civilization has given you?
Having entered our lives, the horse takes us on a new journey. It teaches us to move in new directions. With its help, we realize and discover our own freedom and power.

Frog– connection with water, adaptability to conditions environment, singer of ancient songs of nature, transition of levels.

Bear. Associated with the moon symbolically, and therefore – with the subconscious and the sphere of the unconscious. In alchemy, it symbolized nigredo - primordial matter, the original state of matter. Therefore, it is associated with the initial stage of any business with primitive instincts.
A bear as a totem can teach you to draw the resources necessary for survival from internal energy reserves. It will give you access to all internal sources of energy - even those that you are not aware of. If the bear is your totem, you have to ask yourself a few questions: are you fair enough? Are the people around you sinning against justice? Are you able to recognize the favorable opportunities that life offers you? Are you too critical of yourself and others? Perhaps you look at the world through rose-colored glasses? The magic of the bear will teach you to dive into the depths of your own soul and make appropriate decisions.

It is important for everyone who is connected with the power of the bear not to hide from life and not fall into continuous hibernation.
Those who are associated with a bear have a need to plunge into the depths of their own “I”, to isolate themselves from outside world for a certain period. And after this period, they return to the world again and bring new ideas and projects.
If the bear is your totem, then the habit of winter solitude will become very natural for you.
All bears love honey - a symbol of the sweetness of life. They usually find it in tree hollows where wild bees live. This is further confirmation of the close connection between bears and trees. People associated with this totem must dive into the depths of their “I” and awaken their inner strength, but they will feel a taste for life only after they bring this strength to light and find practical application for it.

Deer– sacrifice in the name of higher ideals, moderation, nobility, grace, a sense of gratitude and the desire to give, movement.

Eagle– strength and balance, dignity, vigilance, hard work, spiritual enlightenment, healing, intuition, creativity, reaching the limit. The Indians saw in him the highest expression of the spirit. To gain an eagle as an ally means to gain its inherent ability to recognize and distinguish between things.

Panther (black jaguar), leopard, puma- symbolize ferocity, rage, aggressiveness, ruthlessness.

Lynx. If the lynx has become your totem, study the symbolic meaning of north as a cardinal direction. Study the qualities of this animal. “The fate of the lynx is so connected with the fate of the hare... that the eleven-year cycles of changes in the population of the hare and lynx coincide.” The eleven year cycle is extremely symbolic. From a metaphysical point of view, the number eleven is associated with revelation, inspiration, mysticism and occult interests. The gray coloring characteristic of the lynx reinforces this symbolism. Gray is the color of the cloudy veil that hides ancient wisdom and separating the visible from the invisible. The lynx as a totem can overcome this barrier and bring knowledge and secrets hidden behind the clouds into the material world.
The lynx is considered a vigilant animal, it is your totem, look around in search of secrets, trust your intuition. With the help of the lynx, you will be able to look into the hearts and thoughts of other people. If the lynx is your totem, never betray the trust of other people. As soon as the lynx enters your life as a totem, you will find that those around you begin to trust you with their secrets more often; do not be surprised if you find that many people feel uncomfortable with you, they feel that you are looking into their soul.
To awaken the trotting ability to recognize the secret, just sit and watch. By watching how people behave and what they say, you will begin to notice images behind them that will reveal the truth to you.

Elephant. This is strength and ancient power. The symbolism of this animal is very rich and varied. For example, the head of an elephant represents the Indian god Ganesh; the elephant is perceived as a symbol of the power of sexual desire. The elephant was also considered a symbol of the cloud. Clouds are a veil that separates formed worlds from formless matter. They are associated with the state of metamorphosis, and if a person encounters it as a totem, then most likely he is undergoing some kind of transformation. The most remarkable part
elephant, this is the trunk. So if your totem is an elephant, then pay attention to pleasant and bad smells - both literally and figuratively. You can start using and working with flavored
oils and incense. You can find access to new energies and worlds that were previously inaccessible. Another notable thing is the tusks. If the elephant is your totem, then there is a chance to revive ideal family relationships and social traditions.

Owl– healing, the secrets of magic, the ability to see in the dark, connection with the spiritual world, silent wisdom.

Tiger– shamanic power, passion, devotion and sensuality. The tiger is the creator and destroyer. He is also characterized by royal dignity, cruelty, strength, power, courage and fury, which he needs as a protector. For the Aztecs, the tiger is the western setting Sun, chthonic forces and earth forces. It is often characteristic of gamblers.

Duck– the birth of something new, emotional comfort and security. The duck, as a totem bird, can become an excellent assistant for a psychologist and psychotherapist: with its support, it will be easier to cope with the problems of their patients.

Turtle– symbol of the earth, self-confidence, perseverance, security, sense of orientation, balance.

Jaguar- in Aztec mythology means the forces of darkness in conflict with the solar eagle. In Mexican tradition, the jaguar is the messenger of the spirits of the forest. In the tradition of shamanism, the appearance of a jaguar is one of the most common totems of a shaman; it symbolizes his spirit. Only a strong and powerful shaman could possess the jaguar totem. His qualities are wisdom, power, swiftness, and an excellent tracker. I will not list the magical properties of the jaguar, because... this totem is considered one of the most powerful (divine). I will say this: almost all magic is subject to him.

Hawk– strength and harmony, vigilance, efficiency, telepathy, intuition, creative spirit.

Knowledge of nature developed the observation skills of ancient man. This allowed him to make many wonderful discoveries. People gradually learned to understand the plant world around them. They learned to distinguish beneficial plants from those that could cause harm. They began to eat many plants and learned the medicinal properties of some of them. From medicinal plants They made infusions, ointments, and decoctions. Poisons were used to put fish to sleep, but they were mainly used to coat arrowheads.
Already in such a distant past, people were able to identify certain diseases and apply appropriate treatment methods. If necessary, they stopped the bleeding and even performed surgical operations, such as opening an abscess or removing a diseased tooth. In exceptional cases, diseased limbs could be amputated.
Hunting allowed me to learn a lot about the life of wild animals. People were well versed in the habits of animals; by their tracks they could determine their routes of movement. While hunting or gathering, people navigated the terrain. He learned this by observing the position of the Sun and stars in the sky.
The man knew how to measure distances. Long distances were measured in days of travel. In this case, a day was considered the period from sunrise to sunset. Smaller distances were measured by the flight of an arrow or spear. Very small - using various parts of the human body: foot, elbow, finger, nail.
Ideas about the world around us
Ancient man felt like a part of nature. He was convinced of the existence of his connection with the animal and plant world. Therefore, worship arose certain species animals and plants. The animal, which was considered the patron of the clan, was forbidden to kill and eat, and it could not be harmed in any way. The image of the patron of the clan was applied to weapons, household items, and the home was decorated with it.
Thunderstorms, the change of day and night, the rising and setting of the sun and moon, and other natural phenomena were considered by primitive people as the activity of spirits. In their minds, spirits often had a humanoid appearance.
f Remember folk tales, in which things, tools, plants are endowed with human qualities.

Buffalo. Bone carving. 13th millennium Stonehenge. England BC e. La Madeleine. France
Ancient people had their own explanation for death. In the Cro-Magnon burials found by archaeologists, the dead were laid in the position of a sleeping person. Their heads rested on a stone “pillow” or a bed of grass. Nearby were clothes, food, and jewelry. If the deceased was a hunter during his lifetime, hunting tools were located nearby. Excavations of burials indicate that the Cro-Magnons believed in an afterlife.
Primitive people believed in the powerful power of magic. It was believed that certain actions and words have magical power, and the magical effect can be enhanced with the help of an amulet. An amulet, or amulet, is an object that protects a person from harm. For the hunt to be successful, a magical ritual was performed. At the same time, in their spells they turned to good spirits for help.
Only the shamans or sorcerers of the tribe knew mysterious, magical techniques. These were, as a rule, elderly people. They had more life experience than their relatives. They knew how to observe nature, knew signs, and used the medicinal properties of plants. The sorcerers, performing magical acts, gave the hunters practical advice, could provide assistance in case of illness. IN tribal community, the tribe treated sorcerers with great respect. Kindred believed that sorcerers were endowed with a special gift that allowed them to communicate with and influence spirits. Shamans were trusted to educate young people.
Primitive people did not have writing, so their understanding surrounding nature passed down from generation to generation in the form of oral stories. This is how myths appeared - tales about heroes, gods, natural phenomena. For example, one of them said that the sun is a person who has two houses: on earth and in heaven. He makes a daily journey from one house to another.
Another myth spoke of a huge bird with giant wings. When it flies across the sky, terrible thunder is heard from the flapping of its wings, and when it blinks, lightning flashes. Through fantastic explanations of natural phenomena primitive he sought to comprehend the world around him, to understand his place in it.

1. Jellyfish

The first place in our “rating” is rightfully occupied by jellyfish. Scientists believe that jellyfish appeared on earth about 600 million years ago.
The most big jellyfish, which the man caught, had a diameter of 2.3 meters. Jellyfish do not live long, about a year, because they are a delicacy for fish. Scientists are puzzling over how jellyfish perceive nerve impulses from the organs of vision, because they do not have a brain.

2. Nautilus

Nautiluses have lived on Earth for more than 500 million years. This cephalopods. Females and males differ in size. The nautilus shell is divided into chambers. The mollusk itself lives in the largest chamber, and uses the remaining compartments, filling or pumping out with biogas, as a float for diving to depth.

3. Horseshoe crabs

These marine arthropods are rightfully considered living fossils, because they have lived on Earth for more than 450 million years. To give an idea of how long this is, horseshoe crabs are older than trees.

It was not difficult for them to survive all the known global catastrophes, practically unchanged in appearance. Horseshoe crabs can rightfully be called “blue-blooded” animals. Their blood, unlike ours, is blue, because it is saturated with copper, and not iron, like human blood.
The blood of horseshoe crabs has amazing properties - when it reacts with microbes, clots are formed. This is how horseshoe crabs create a barrier against germs. A reagent is made from the blood of horseshoe crabs and used to test medications for purity.

4. Neopilins

Neopilina is a mollusk that has lived on Earth for approximately 400 million years. He hasn't changed in appearance. Neopilins live at great depths in the oceans.

5. Coelacanth

Coelacanth is a modern fossil animal that appeared on our planet approximately 400 million years ago. Over the entire period of its existence, it has remained virtually unchanged. On this moment Coelacanth is on the verge of extinction, so catching these fish is strictly prohibited.

6. Sharks

Sharks have existed on Earth for more than 400 million years. Sharks are very interesting animals. People have been exploring them for many years and never cease to be amazed at their uniqueness.

For example, a shark’s teeth grow throughout its life, the most big sharks can reach 18 meters in length. Sharks have an excellent sense of smell - they can smell blood at a distance of hundreds of meters. Sharks practically do not feel pain, because their body produces a certain “opium” that dulls pain.

Sharks are amazingly adaptable. For example, if there is not enough oxygen, they can “shut down” part of the brain and use less energy. Sharks can also regulate the salinity of water by producing special means. Shark vision is several times better than that of cats. IN dirty water they can see up to 15 meters away.

7. Cockroaches

These are real old-timers on Earth. Scientists say that cockroaches have inhabited the planet for more than 340 million years. They are hardy, unpretentious and fast - this is what helped them survive during the most turbulent periods of history on Earth.

Cockroaches can live for some time without a head - after all, they breathe with the cells of the body. They are excellent runners. Some cockroaches run about 75 cm in a second. This is a very good result relative to their height. And their incredible endurance is evidenced by the fact that they can withstand radiation almost 13 times more than humans.

Cockroaches can live without water for about a month, without water for a week. Their female retains the male's seed for some time and can fertilize herself.

8. Crocodiles

Crocodiles appeared on Earth about 250 million years ago. Surprisingly, crocodiles first lived on land, but then they liked to spend a significant part of their time in the water.

Crocodiles are amazing animals. They don't seem to do anything for nothing. To make food easier to digest, crocodiles swallow stones. This also helps them dive deeper.

There is a natural antibiotic in the crocodile's blood that helps them not get sick. Their average lifespan is 50 years, but some individuals can live up to 100 years. Crocodiles cannot be trained and can be considered the most dangerous animals on the planet.

9. Shchitni

Shchitni appeared on Earth during the period of dinosaurs approximately 230 million years ago. They live almost all over the world, except Antarctica.
Surprisingly, the shields have not changed in appearance, only become smaller in size. The largest scale insects were found measuring 11 cm, the smallest - 2 cm. If the scale insects are hungry, cannibalism is possible among them.

10. Turtles

Turtles inhabited the Earth approximately 220 million years ago. Turtles differ from their ancient ancestors in that they have no teeth and have learned to hide their heads. Turtles can be considered long-lived. They live up to 100 years. They see, hear, and have a keen sense of smell. Turtles remember human faces.

If the temperature in the nest where the female laid eggs is high, females will be born; if it is low, only males will be born.

11. Hatteria

Hatteria is a reptile that appeared on Earth more than 220 million years ago. Now the tuataria live in New Zealand.

Hatteria looks like an iguana or lizard. But this is just a similarity. Hatterias established a separate detachment - beak-headed. This animal has a "third eye" on the back of its head. Tuttaria have slow metabolic processes, so they grow very slowly, but they can easily live up to 100 years.

12. Spiders

Spiders have lived on Earth for more than 165 million years. The oldest web was found in amber. Her age became 100 million years. A female spider can lay several thousand eggs at a time - this is one of the factors that has helped them survive to this day. Spiders have no bones; their soft tissues are covered by a hard exoskeleton.

The web could not be made artificially in any laboratory. And those spiders that were sent into space spun three-dimensional webs.
It is known that some spiders can live up to 30 years. The largest known spider is almost 30 cm long, and the smallest is half a millimeter.

13. Ants

Ants are amazing animals. It is believed that they have lived on our planet for more than 130 million years, while practically not changing their appearance.

Ants are very smart, strong and organized animals. We can say that they have their own civilization. They have order in everything - they are divided into three castes, each of which does its own thing.

Ants are very good at adapting to circumstances. Their population is the largest on Earth. To imagine how many there are, imagine that there are about a million ants per inhabitant of the planet. Ants are also long-lived. Sometimes queens can live up to 20 years! They are also amazingly smart - ants can teach their fellows to look for food.

14. Platypuses

Platypuses have lived on Earth for more than 110 million years. Scientists suggest that at first these animals lived in South America, but then they got to Australia. In the 18th century, the skin of platypuses was first seen in Europe and was considered... a fake.

Platypuses are excellent swimmers; they easily obtain food from the river bottom using their beaks. Platypuses spend almost 10 hours a day underwater.
Platypuses could not be bred in captivity, but in wildlife Today there are quite a few of them left. Therefore, animals are listed in the International Red Book.

15. Echidna

The echidna can be called the same age as the platypus, because it has inhabited the Earth for 110 million years.
Echidnas look like hedgehogs. They boldly guard their territory, but when in danger they burrow into the ground, leaving only a bunch of needles on the surface.
The echidna does not have sweat glands. In hot weather they move little; in cold weather they can hibernate, thus regulating their heat exchange. Echidnas are long-lived. In nature they live up to 16 years, and in zoos they can live up to 45 years.

I wonder if a person can live on Earth for that long?

I have never liked cats, dogs and other animals that people are used to keeping in apartments or houses. And there was no question of taking a stray animal into the house. Just as I didn’t understand those who simply kicked their pets out of the house, I didn’t look for an excuse for them, you can simply not have an animal, so that later, from a family member, you don’t turn it into a homeless, useless and hungry ragamuffin. But one day it turned out that we also had a cat at home, which I couldn’t help but fall in love with.

We live in a small town where any news travels at the speed of light. And then, closer to spring, it was reported on the radio that mouse fever had appeared in a neighboring town, as it is known to be spread by mice. And our apartment is on the first floor and I became afraid for my children. Before I had time to think that it would be nice to take home a cat, a stray animal came under our windows. At first we just fed her, but she began to treat us like her family. She greeted me from work, and the children from school, and purred affectionately when we met. Taking a closer look at her, it became clear that she was not only kind and affectionate, but also beautiful. Having launched her into the house, the question naturally arose of what to call this creation of nature; one of the children came up with the idea of calling her Fifty for her majestic posture.

The emergence of the first beliefs in the existence of supernatural forces was due to the presence of human fear of the forces of living and inanimate nature. Thunderstorm, thunder, rain, hurricanes and droughts are the causes of these natural phenomena ancient people did not know, but were aware of their destructive power, so the elements for primitive society were both a subject of fear and worship. Our ancestors had the same attitude towards animals - people noticed that many representatives of the fauna had much more physical strength and physical capabilities than humans, and therefore they began to identify animals with gods.

Studying the religions of ancient peoples, one can be convinced that almost all primitive people in one way or another identified supernatural forces with animals, and even in one can see echoes of the cult of animals. For example, all Christians know such expressions as “dove of peace” and “insidious tempting serpent,” and the only animals that can freely not only enter mosques, but even sleep there during prayer, are cats.

The role of animals in various religions and beliefs

There are two main interpretations of the word “cult,” and if the first meaning of this word sounds like “religious service to a deity that includes rites,” then the second interpretation of the concept of cult in religion is much broader - it means worship, veneration and deification of something or someone. or. And if we consider the cult of animals precisely from the point of view of the second interpretation of the concept of “cult”, then it becomes obvious that in all the beliefs of tribes and peoples living in all corners globe, there was worship or veneration of various animals.

There are several forms in which the cult of different animals has been expressed in religions, and the three key forms of human deification of animals are:

1. Totemism - belief in a tribe or all of humanity from a specific animal, as well as belief in the protection of the animal totem. Totemism was widespread among the vast majority of peoples ancient world.

2. Cosmogonic beliefs , in which the key role is assigned to the animal - religions and beliefs based on the fact that the creator of the world is an animal, or that animals make possible the existence of the entire earth and life on it.

3. Zoolatry - a religion characterized by the deification of animals and the presence of a number of rituals and cults aimed at worshiping the animal deity. To one degree or another, the presence of sacred animals in many nations of the world and the tradition of depicting gods in animal form that existed in a number of ancient states can be attributed to zoolatry.

Cults of various animals in different parts of the world

There is probably no type of animal that has not been identified at least once with some deity or with supernatural forces (for example, dung beetles were considered sacred in Egypt, and early Christians represented one of the demons, Beelzebub, in the form of a huge fly), however, the cults of some animals are simultaneously found in the beliefs of several tribes and peoples that had no connections with each other. Therefore, we can highlight the most significant animal cults, which were present in the beliefs of several peoples at once and at one time influenced the formation of later religions. These most significant cults are:

For a long time, people have attributed superpowers to felines, and in particular the ability to see the world of shadows, so these animals were considered sacred and worshiped. The most famous is the cult of the cat, as the Egyptians identified cats with the goddess Bast, who was considered the goddess of family, joy and fertility. In the Egyptian kingdom, cats lived at temples, and rich Egyptians could keep several animals in their house at once, because they believed that thanks to cats there would be many children in the family. The cult of cats ancient Egypt flourished during the New Kingdom, and during this time the Egyptians had a tradition of mummifying the bodies of cats that lived and died at the temple, some of which survive to this day.

However, the veneration of cats took place not only in ancient Egypt - many ancient peoples living in the territory of modern central and Western Europe, believed that cats could see spirits, brownies and ghosts, therefore, for example, in almost every house of the ancient Slavs there lived a cat. From this belief the tradition originates new house to be the first to launch the cat, as well as the opinion that "energetically" best place in the house exactly where. The Japanese have also always respected these animals, and there is even a Cat Temple in the city of Kagoshima.

The cult of the bear was present in the beliefs of the ancient Greeks, Finns, as well as in the beliefs of the peoples of Siberia and the peoples of ancient Japan. The origins of this cult can be seen in the history of ancient people who lived during the Paleolithic period. The results of excavations indicate that Neanderthals who lived in the territory of modern Switzerland and Slovenia worshiped bears as deities and considered the remains of bears sacred, therefore they preserved them, laid out in a special way, in those caves that served as a place for cult rituals.

The peoples of Siberia considered bears their patrons and totem animals, therefore, in some ethnic groups living in Altai and in central Siberia, there was even such a holiday - Bear Day, on which shamans performed certain rituals, trying to appease this formidable inhabitant of the taiga and get his protection and help in the hunt. And in the mythology of some peoples, in particular, in the myths of the Nivkhs, many stories indicate that bears are living embodiments of ancestors. The ancient Japanese (Ainu people) believed that their main deity looked like huge bear, therefore, on some islands of the Japanese archipelago, for many centuries, the Iyomante ceremony - the sacrifice of a bear - was held year after year (this ceremony was finally banned only in 2007).

Cult of the wolf.

The cult of the wolf was one of the most widespread animal cults in primitive communal society. It was the wolf that some tribes of the ancient Celts, Germans, Greeks, Hindus and peoples of Siberia and the Volga region considered their totem. Particularly noteworthy is the attitude towards wolves - representatives of this people idolized wolves and considered these animals their patrons and protectors. Vivid evidence of the cult of the wolf in ancient Rome is the myth about the founders of the eternal city - Roma and Remulus, brothers fed by a she-wolf. In ancient Egypt, they also treated wolves with honor and believed in their divine essence, therefore, during the Middle and New Kingdoms, Anubis, one of the supreme Egyptian gods, was depicted with the head of a wolf.

In the culture and beliefs of the Turks, the cult of the wolf was one of the key ones, since many Turkic myths are based on the fact that all people descended from the Heavenly Wolf, and wolves are the patrons of people. The Türks were sure that many traits of human nature, such as emotionality, aggressiveness, and mobility, were inherited by people from wolves. It is the presence of the cult of the wolf among the Turks that explains a large number of widespread legends in modern Europe and Asia about werewolves and warriors who can transfer themselves to wolves.

Snake cult .

At all times, from antiquity to modern times, people have had a special relationship with reptiles, and in particular with snakes. Some tribes and peoples considered snakes to be sacred animals and were confident that snakes personified divine wisdom, while in other cultures snakes were practically the living embodiment of evil on earth. The most striking was the cult of snakes in ancient india- these reptiles crawled freely along the streets of cities and villages, could freely crawl into houses and temples, and killing a snake was considered a sin. In many Hindu myths, snakes play a key role, because according to legends, it is on the heads huge snake The whole earth holds Shesha. Also, every person has at least once heard the Hindu legend about nagas - immortal creatures endowed with magical powers who are half people and half snakes. Nowadays, every year Hindus celebrate the snake festival, and the profession of snake charmer has survived to this day.

The cult of the snake was widespread not only in India - in ancient Greece, in ancient Rome, in and in some other states of the ancient world it was also customary to honor snakes. In almost all archaic cultures, the snake was identified with the cycle of phenomena, fertility and divine wisdom. Later, people began to consider snakes as the personification of darkness, evil and the world of the dead, so monsters were often depicted in the form of snakes. In the Christian tradition, the snake is a symbol of Satan, since it was in the form of a snake that the Devil, according to legend, led Eve into temptation.

The dictionary defines it as “a natural feature used by American Indians as an emblem or clan.” In fact, totems have a much deeper meaning and are more closely related to life. Totems help us understand ourselves. They serve as a means of communication with our inner dynamics and reflect those substances that make up the personality of our temporary, bodily self. In other words, totems help us understand why we are the way we are. They point out the strengths and weaknesses of our character, reveal our strengths and weaknesses.

Remember that the American Indians, like our own ancient ancestors, were very close to nature and well aware of the habits of wild animals. But images and sculptures of animals are not the only type of totems. There are mineral and plant totems, also associated with various aspects of the human personality.

Let's learn how to identify your totem through meditation.

Some meanings of totem animals

Badger– belligerence, determination, passion, control, avoidance of persecution, resistance.

Wolf. People associated with the wolf as a totem animal are often distinguished by particularly expressive gestures, postures and facial expressions. If it is difficult to express your thoughts and feelings, turn to the wolf for help, he has rich facial expressions.
Each member of a wolf pack is clearly aware of his place and his relationships with other members of the pack. Another lesson of the wolf as a totem is the lesson of ritualized behavior, thanks to which the hierarchy in wolf society is maintained. The structure of a wolf pack cannot be called either strictly autocratic or democratic, in the full sense of the word. There are periods when the pack completely submits to the authority of the leader, but at other times *democracy* reigns. It is due to this flexibility that the flock manages to survive. The wolf can teach us a lesson about good governance in which there is a balance between the authority of individuals and democracy. The Wolf helps us understand that true freedom can only be achieved through discipline.
As a totem, the wolf teaches us to respect and honor family ties and love children. The energy of the totemic wolf can occur at intervals of about two years.
If the wolf is your totem, also study the quality of the raven, since in nature they are connected. People with a wolf totem have well-developed intuition.
The wolf is characterized by the ability for emotional attachment, which arises quickly and turns out to be very persistent. Consequently, another lesson of this totem is the lesson of trust in intuitive impressions and the ability to rely on them in your emotional attachments. The wolf teaches you to listen to your inner voice and this protects you from wrong actions. He will always protect you - sometimes strictly, sometimes affectionately, but always with love. Meeting the wolf as a totem animal means that it is time to breathe new life into everyday rituals. We create our own destiny and lead it ourselves. And if we observe discipline and maintain harmony, we will learn the true spirit of freedom.

Rabbit). Some people consider the rabbit to be a cowardly animal, but in fact it is excellent at defending itself. You can borrow the techniques that a rabbit uses to protect itself to your advantage. Rabbits often make temporary shelters for themselves, in which they can rest and hide from their pursuers. For this purpose, they dig shallow holes with two exits. If you are connected to a rabbit as a totem animal, try to consider all possible scenarios and always leave room for choice. Meeting a rabbit may mean that you should spend more time making plans for the future or checking on the progress of plans that you have already begun to implement. Don't let your opponents drive you into a corner. Rabbits skillfully hide from enemies. They can freeze in place and stand for a long time without moving. This is important because many predators are able to distinguish moving objects from a great distance. If you are involved in a competition - be it a competition or a game - try not to give away your movements in any way.
In addition, the rabbit is a master at confusing its tracks and making quick, sharp turns. When escaping pursuit, he is capable of developing enormous speed. Anyone associated with this totem should master the art of instantly moving from complete stillness to rapid movement. This will help you achieve great success. You will be able to capitalize on fleeting chances.
Rabbits are herbivores. If you are working with this totem, pay attention to
your diet. From time to time, go on a vegetarian diet: it will strengthen your body and allow you to quickly get rid of diseases. It is also advisable for those with this totem who are engaged in healing to exclude – at least temporarily – meat products from the diet.
The rabbit will teach you to recognize the meaning of the signs that nature gives you. It will help you tune in to the lunar cycle and understand the rhythm of the ebbs and flows in your life. And thanks to this, your creative potential will increase: you will become much more prolific in all areas.

Mole– connection with the earth, knowledge of minerals and herbs, touch, introspection, love, sensitivity to subtle energies, resourcefulness.

Leopard- a symbol of cruelty, ferocity, aggressiveness, courage, fearlessness, bravery, swiftness, activity.

Bat. There are a lot of misconceptions associated with the bat, just like with the wolf. For example, they still believe that mice are servants of the devil. But there is something else that is more pleasant for bats, for example, in ancient Babylon it symbolized the souls of the dead, in China, happiness and longevity, among the ancient Mayans it personified initiation and rebirth. Jamie Sams and David Carson consider the bat to be the personification of traditional shamanic death - the passage beyond the former self, which we no longer need.
If the bat has become your totem, it is time to face your fears and prepare for an important change. It's time to leave the old behind and create something new. With the appearance of a bat as a totem, you will find that something has gone wrong in your life.
All changes and transformations are a true gift from heaven. The root cause of any change lies within us, and the external world is only a mirror of the internal.
A bat can symbolize an encounter with something that frightens us. She talks about the need to overcome your fears. How a totem gives hope, which will allow you to stay afloat in the chaos of change. It symbolizes the ability to rise to new heights.
In Tarot cards there is a card of the Hanged Man - it symbolizes overcoming obstacles, the perception of higher wisdom and the awareness of new truths. There is a connection between him and the bat - they are similar in meaning.
Bats are sociable. An encounter with a totem indicates either a need for more active communication or new opportunities to communicate with many people.
The magic of the bat sharpens auditory perception. It awakens the ability to hear the voices of spirits.
If she has become your totem, then you promise the ability to recognize hidden meaning in the words of other people.

Horse. The horse is associated with both funeral rites and birth: the souls of people enter and leave this world on horseback. The Scandinavian god Odin rode an eight-legged stallion. In Hinduism, stallions are harnessed to the chariot of the sun god Surya, and in Greek mythology - to the chariot of Helios. The horse was endowed with the ability to predict the future. There are many legends in which horses act as clairvoyant animals, capable of also recognizing people who practice magic. In mystical terms, a horse is one of the embodiments of a magical gift in a person.

Frog– connection with water, adaptability to environmental conditions, singer of ancient songs of nature, transition of levels.

It is important for everyone who is connected with the power of the bear not to hide from life and not fall into continuous hibernation.
Those who are associated with a bear are characterized by the need to plunge into the depths of their own “I”, to fence themselves off from the outside world for a certain period. And after this period, they return to the world again and bring new ideas and projects.
If the bear is your totem, then the habit of winter solitude will become very natural for you.
All bears love honey - a symbol of the sweetness of life. They usually find it in tree hollows where wild bees live. This is further confirmation of the close connection between bears and trees. People associated with this totem must dive into the depths of their “I” and awaken their inner strength, but they will feel a taste for life only after they bring this strength to light and find practical application for it.

Deer– sacrifice in the name of higher ideals, moderation, nobility, grace, a sense of gratitude and the desire to give, movement.

Panther (black jaguar), leopard, puma- symbolize ferocity, rage, aggressiveness, ruthlessness.

Lynx. If the lynx has become your totem, study the symbolic meaning of north as a cardinal direction. Study the qualities of this animal. “The fate of the lynx is so connected with the fate of the hare... that the eleven-year cycles of changes in the population of the hare and lynx coincide.” The eleven year cycle is extremely symbolic. From a metaphysical point of view, the number eleven is associated with revelation, inspiration, mysticism and occult interests. The gray coloring characteristic of the lynx reinforces this symbolism. Gray is the color of the cloudy veil that hides ancient wisdom and separates the visible from the invisible. The lynx as a totem can overcome this barrier and bring knowledge and secrets hidden behind the clouds into the material world.
The lynx is considered a vigilant animal, it is your totem, look around in search of secrets, trust your intuition. With the help of the lynx, you will be able to look into the hearts and thoughts of other people. If the lynx is your totem, never betray the trust of other people. As soon as the lynx enters your life as a totem, you will find that those around you begin to trust you with their secrets more often; do not be surprised if you find that many people feel uncomfortable with you, they feel that you are looking into their soul.
To awaken the trotting ability to recognize the secret, just sit and watch. By watching how people behave and what they say, you will begin to notice images behind them that will reveal the truth to you.

Owl– healing, the secrets of magic, the ability to see in the dark, connection with the spiritual world, silent wisdom.

Turtle– symbol of the earth, self-confidence, perseverance, security, sense of orientation, balance.

Hawk– strength and harmony, vigilance, efficiency, telepathy, intuition, creative spirit.

Belief in the supernatural accompanies a person throughout his existence. People considered everything inexplicable to be an otherworldly phenomenon. The first religions appeared at the dawn of the primitive communal system; they were in the nature of primitive beliefs. One of the religions was totemism - a branch of animism. What is a totem, and why did people believe in an invisible connection between different objects? What forms of totemism have survived to this day? Let's look at it in the article.

The first religions of mankind are called proto-religions. Historians and scientists classify them as four main forms:

animism;
fetishism;
magic.

Which proto-religion of those listed was the first is not known for certain. All four forms are believed to have appeared at approximately the same period in history. Historians explain that all major forms of belief were present in all prehistoric proto-religions.

Animism

What is animism as a proto-religion? Modern scientists define it as a belief in the spiritual world, that is, the existence of an immaterial principle. Animism implies belief in the spirits of nature, dead ancestors, and patron spirits. This is the animation of everything that surrounds a person and is incomprehensible.

Observing natural phenomena, primitive people animated them and attributed certain qualities. Over time, people began to perceive nature spirits as intelligent beings that control their lives. In order to appease the anger of the spirits of nature, they began to bring gifts and sacrifices.

People also believed that there was an afterlife world into which the soul of a deceased person was sent. There are also various entities and spirits.

Totemism

The definition of totemism is based on the belief in an invisible connection between a person/tribe/clan and a specific animal or plant. This animal/plant was called a totem. People believed that the totem protected them and protected them from life’s adversities. Scientists believe that primitive man began to deify the animal and plant world, because the entire way of life was connected with him.

Examples of totemism - beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, Indians North America, the aborigines of Australia and the population of central Africa. What is different about the cult of totem worship? They bring gifts to the chosen patron, perform religious services and ask for protection or mercy. When a new member of the tribe is born, a service to the totem is immediately performed with a request to endow the baby with certain qualities and protect him from evil.

Totemism is distinguished from other beliefs by the presence of taboos. A taboo is a prohibition to perform certain actions. The taboo was associated with the prohibition:

kill totem animals;
eat totem meat;
kill fellow tribesmen;
demonstrate to foreign tribes your affiliation with the totem.

Rituals were performed whenever the tribe suffered from drought and lack of food, from attacks by warring tribes, and in any emergency. People believed that only a totem could help them cope with adversity.

Fetishism was closely related to totemism - belief in the mystical power of an object. This item could be a strangely shaped stone or a hand-made object, some plant or planet. Statues of deities worshiped by ancient people also became fetishes. But even in our times, the cult of fetishism has survived in Africa in a slightly modified form.

The magic of primitive people

Ancient people considered everything incomprehensible and unusual to be magical. If a person encountered on his way any object that attracted attention (a pebble, a root, part of an animal’s skeleton), he could make it his fetish. Over time, belief in fetishes grew stronger, and an entire tribe could worship any object and consider it their patron.

The fetish was placed in the center of the tribe, gifts were brought to it and praise was given for its help. People sincerely believed that it was the fetish that helped them and protected them from harm. However, there was also a downside to fetishism: if the object did not live up to expectations, it was subjected to torture.

Fetishism did not disappear over time, but gained new uniform. Religious scholars argue that belief in amulets and amulets is modern form fetishism. Closely related to fetishism is magic in its original and modern form. Also, magic retained the features of totemism and animism, because magical rituals are an appeal to different forces nature or the spirits of animals or the dead.

Over time, a group of people separated from society, which was engaged only in conducting magical rituals for the tribe. The first magical rituals were performed by shamans, since shamanism is characterized by a connection with the spirits of nature and animals. Later, magical practices expanded the scope of their application. IN modern world magic is closely related to the ancient cults of proto-religions, world religions and the study of energies.

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Knowledge of nature developed the observation skills of ancient man. This allowed him to make many wonderful discoveries. People gradually learned to understand the plant world around them. They learned to distinguish beneficial plants from those that could cause harm. They began to eat many plants and learned the medicinal properties of some of them. Infusions, ointments, and decoctions were made from medicinal plants. Poisons were used to put fish to sleep, but they were mainly used to coat arrowheads.
Already in such a distant past, people were able to identify certain diseases and apply appropriate treatment methods. If necessary, they stopped the bleeding and even performed surgical operations, such as opening an abscess or removing a diseased tooth. In exceptional cases, diseased limbs could be amputated.
Hunting allowed me to learn a lot about the life of wild animals. People were well versed in the habits of animals; by their tracks they could determine their routes of movement. While hunting or gathering, people navigated the terrain. He learned this by observing the position of the Sun and stars in the sky.
The man knew how to measure distances. Long distances were measured in days of travel. In this case, a day was considered the period from sunrise to sunset. Smaller distances were measured by the flight of an arrow or spear. Very small - using various parts of the human body: foot, elbow, finger, nail.
Ideas about the world around us
Ancient man felt himself to be a part of nature. He was convinced of the existence of his connection with the animal and plant world. Therefore, the worship of certain species of animals and plants arose. The animal, which was considered the patron of the clan, was forbidden to kill and eat, and it could not be harmed in any way. The image of the patron of the clan was applied to weapons, household items, and the home was decorated with it.
Thunderstorms, the change of day and night, the rising and setting of the sun and moon, and other natural phenomena were considered by primitive people as the activity of spirits. In their minds, spirits often had a humanoid appearance.
f Remember folk tales in which things, tools, plants are endowed with human qualities.

Primitive man believed that there were evil and good spirits in the world. The patronage of good spirits helps to cope with a serious illness and promotes successful hunting. Evil spirits can cause terrible disasters - fire, death and other misfortunes. You can call for the help of good spirits and avoid evil ones with the help of a gift, that is, making a sacrifice in their honor. The victim could be a killed animal, and sometimes even a person.

Buffalo. Bone carving. 13th millennium Stonehenge. England BC e. La Madeleine. France
Ancient people had their own explanation for death. In the Cro-Magnon burials found by archaeologists, the dead were laid in the position of a sleeping person. Their heads rested on a stone “pillow” or a bed of grass. Nearby were clothes, food, and jewelry. If the deceased was a hunter during his lifetime, hunting tools were located nearby. Excavations of burials indicate that the Cro-Magnons believed in an afterlife.
Primitive people believed in the powerful power of magic. It was believed that certain actions and words had magical powers, and the magical effect could be enhanced with the help of an amulet. An amulet, or amulet, is an object that protects a person from harm. For the hunt to be successful, a magical ritual was performed. At the same time, in their spells they turned to good spirits for help.
Only the shamans or sorcerers of the tribe knew mysterious, magical techniques. These were, as a rule, elderly people. They had more life experience than their relatives. They knew how to observe nature, knew signs, and used the medicinal properties of plants. Sorcerers, performing magical acts, gave practical advice to hunters and could provide assistance in case of illness. In the clan community and tribe, sorcerers were treated with great respect. Kindred believed that sorcerers were endowed with a special gift that allowed them to communicate with and influence spirits. Shamans were trusted to educate young people.
Primitive people did not have writing, so their understanding of the surrounding nature was passed on from generation to generation in the form of oral stories. This is how myths appeared - tales about heroes, gods, natural phenomena. For example, one of them said that the sun is a person who has two houses: on earth and in heaven. He makes a daily journey from one house to another.
Another myth spoke of a huge bird with giant wings. When it flies across the sky, terrible thunder is heard from the flapping of its wings, and when it blinks, lightning flashes. Through fantastic explanations of natural phenomena, primitive man sought to comprehend the world around him and understand his place in it.

The role of animals in various religions and beliefs

There are two main interpretations of the word “cult,” and if the first meaning of this word sounds like “religious service to a deity that includes rites,” then the second interpretation of the concept of cult in religion is much broader - it means worship, veneration and deification of something or someone. or. And if we consider the cult of animals precisely from the point of view of the second interpretation of the concept of “cult,” then it becomes obvious that in all the beliefs of tribes and peoples living in all corners of the globe, there was worship or veneration of various animals.

There are several forms in which the cult of different animals has been expressed in religions, and the three key forms of human deification of animals are:

Cults of various animals in different parts of the world

For a long time, people have attributed superpowers to felines, and in particular the ability to see the world of shadows, so these animals were considered sacred and worshiped. The most famous is the cult of the cat, as the Egyptians identified cats with the goddess Bast, who was considered the goddess of family, joy and fertility. In the Egyptian kingdom, cats lived at temples, and rich Egyptians could keep several animals in their house at once, because they believed that thanks to cats there would be many children in the family. The cult of cats in ancient Egypt flourished during the New Kingdom, and during this time the Egyptians had a tradition of mummifying the bodies of cats that lived and died at the temple, some of which survive to this day.

However, the veneration of cats took place not only in ancient Egypt - many ancient peoples living in the territory of modern central and western Europe believed that cats could see spirits, brownies and ghosts, therefore, for example, in almost every house of the ancient Slavs there lived a cat. This belief gives rise to the tradition of bringing a cat into a new house first, as well as the opinion that the “energetically” best place in the house is exactly where. The Japanese have also always respected these animals, and there is even a Cat Temple in the city of Kagoshima.

The peoples of Siberia considered bears to be their patrons and totem animals, so some ethnic groups living in Altai and central Siberia even had such a holiday - Bear Day, on which shamans performed certain rituals, trying to appease this formidable inhabitant of the taiga and gain his protection and protection. help in hunting. And in the mythology of some peoples, in particular, in the myths of the Nivkhs, many stories indicate that bears are living embodiments of ancestors. The ancient Japanese (Ainu people) believed that their main deity looked like a huge bear, so on some islands of the Japanese archipelago, for many centuries, the Iyomante ceremony - the sacrifice of a bear - was held year after year (this ceremony was finally banned only in 2007).

Cult of the wolf.

The cult of the wolf was one of the most widespread animal cults in primitive communal society. It was the wolf that some tribes of the ancient Celts, Germans, Greeks, Hindus and peoples of Siberia and the Volga region considered their totem. Particularly noteworthy is the attitude towards wolves - representatives of this people idolized wolves and considered these animals their patrons and protectors. Vivid evidence of the cult of the wolf in ancient Rome is the myth about the founders of the eternal city - Roma and Remulus, brothers raised by a she-wolf. In ancient Egypt, they also treated wolves with honor and believed in their divine essence, therefore, during the Middle and New Kingdoms, Anubis, one of the supreme Egyptian gods, was depicted with the head of a wolf.

In the culture and beliefs of the Turks, the cult of the wolf was one of the key ones, since many Turkic myths are based on the fact that all people descended from the Heavenly Wolf, and wolves are the patrons of people. The Türks were sure that many traits of human nature, such as emotionality, aggressiveness, and mobility, were inherited by people from wolves. It is the presence of the cult of the wolf among the Turks that explains the large number of legends about werewolves and warriors who can transfer themselves to wolves that are widespread in modern Europe and Asia.

Snake cult .

At all times, from antiquity to modern times, people have had a special relationship with reptiles, and in particular with snakes. Some tribes and peoples considered snakes to be sacred animals and were confident that snakes personified divine wisdom, while in other cultures snakes were practically the living embodiment of evil on earth. The most striking was the cult of snakes in ancient India - these reptiles crawled freely along the streets of cities and villages, could freely crawl into houses and temples, and killing a snake was considered a sin. In many Hindu myths, snakes play a key role, because according to legend, it is on the heads of the huge snake Shesha that the entire earth rests. Also, every person has at least once heard the Hindu legend about nagas - immortal creatures endowed with magical powers who are half people and half snakes. Nowadays, every year Hindus celebrate the snake festival, and the profession of snake charmer has survived to this day.

The cult of the snake was widespread not only in India - in ancient Greece, in ancient Rome, and in some other states of the ancient world it was also customary to worship snakes. In almost all archaic cultures, the snake was identified with the cycle of phenomena, fertility and divine wisdom. Later, people began to consider snakes as the personification of darkness, evil and the world of the dead, so monsters were often depicted in the form of snakes. In the Christian tradition, the snake is a symbol of Satan, since it was in the form of a snake that the Devil, according to legend, led Eve into temptation.

The energetic connection between people and animals was noticed in ancient times. Each Zodiac Sign is protected by a totem animal, which helps a person in life and brings good luck.

In pre-Christian times, our ancestors worshiped totem animals. Depending on the time of birth, a person acquired a patron animal, to which he addressed his requests and desires. It was believed that the totem animal accompanies a person throughout life path, protects from troubles and helps to realize one’s abilities. The Slavs made amulets with the image of their patron from the world of animals. Such a talisman attracted good luck to the owner.

A person’s totem animal is determined by the location of the Sun in one of the constellations at the time of his birth. Accordingly, each Zodiac Sign has its own patron animal.

For those born under the sign Aries, patronizes the bull - a powerful and wise animal. He has enormous strength and equally large-scale stubbornness and temper. It perfectly reflects the impulsive nature of Aries.

Totem animal Taurus- bear, wise owner of the forest. In ancient times, the bear was revered as one of the most important animals, the guardian of the family hearth and protector of the home. The bear rarely attacks on its own, but if you anger it, it will show its enormous power. A similar line of behavior is characteristic of Taurus.

Gemini corresponds to the vole mouse. The mouse has always symbolized material wealth and family values. Unlike many animals, voles live in pairs and remain faithful to each other throughout their lives.

For representatives of the sign Cancer The totem animal is the beaver. Beavers are calm, hardworking and able to adapt to almost any conditions. This animal enhances the positive aspects in the character of Cancers.

Leos, of course, corresponds to a lion. Few other animals can compete with the king of beasts. Leo is peaceful, dignified, reserved and calculating. Representatives of the zodiac Leo are also endowed with charm and the ability to calculate their actions.

Virgos patronized by the dog. A dog is a devoted friend and protector. She protects the house from invasion strangers and senses a person's emotions. This totem animal is very suitable for Virgos, who are distinguished by empathy and constancy.

Totem of the representatives of the sign Scales- bee. Bees are hardworking, active, intelligent animals, organized into a society. Strong in their unity. This is also typical for Libra, who show their considerable abilities when they feel the support of the people around them.

Patron animal Scorpios- cat. The cat family is characterized by mystery, independence, and a tendency to independently choose its owner. Such external emotional restraint, thoughtfulness and closeness are characteristic of Scorpios.

Sagittarius corresponds to the elk - one of the totem animals most respected by our ancestors. The moose embodies strength, wisdom and power over circumstances. He gives family happiness and is the patron of motherhood. It was believed that seeing a Moose from afar was a lucky sign.

Totem animal Aquarius- horse. The horse has always been considered an indispensable helper and friend. There has always been a special connection between this animal and man. Aquarians are also able to have a beneficial effect on others and provide assistance at the right time.

Capricorns protection is provided by the antelope - an elegant, swift and energetic animal. They do not live alone and are very shy. Capricorns are also characterized by increased activity and realize themselves in society.

Pisces patronizes the snail. The snail has a high degree of survival and adapts to almost all conditions. In addition, it is believed that snails carry the energy of calm and friendliness - and indeed, they are the most harmless animals. Representatives of the Pisces sign share this energy with others.

Your guardian animal accompanies you at every stage of life. A talisman with the image of a totem animal will protect you from adversity and bring prosperity. We wish you success and don't forget to click on the buttons and

07.10.2015 01:10

People often associate themselves with some animal. Some people feel like a gray mouse, while others feel like...

The first religions of mankind are called proto-religions. Historians and scientists classify them as four main forms:

animism;
fetishism;
magic.

Animism

Observing natural phenomena, primitive people animated them and attributed certain qualities. Over time, people began to perceive nature spirits as intelligent beings that controlled their lives. In order to appease the anger of the spirits of nature, they began to bring gifts and sacrifices.

People also believed that there was an afterlife world into which the soul of a deceased person was sent. There are also various entities and spirits.

Totemism

Examples of totemism are the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, North American Indians, Australian aborigines and the population of central Africa. What is different about the cult of totem worship? They bring gifts to the chosen patron, perform religious services and ask for protection or mercy. When a new member of the tribe is born, a service to the totem is immediately performed with a request to endow the baby with certain qualities and protect him from evil.

Totemism is distinguished from other beliefs by the presence of taboos. A taboo is a prohibition to perform certain actions. The taboo was associated with the prohibition:

kill totem animals;
eat totem meat;
kill fellow tribesmen;
demonstrate to foreign tribes your affiliation with the totem.

The magic of primitive people

Fetishism did not disappear over time, but took on a new form. Religious scholars argue that belief in amulets and charms is a modern form of fetishism. Magic in its original and modern form is closely related to fetishism. Magic also retained the features of totemism and animism, because magical rituals are an appeal to various forces of nature or the spirits of animals or the dead.

Over time, a group of people separated from society, which was engaged only in conducting magical rituals for the tribe. The first magical rituals were performed by shamans, since shamanism is characterized by a connection with the spirits of nature and animals. Later, magical practices expanded the scope of their application. In the modern world, magic is closely connected with the ancient cults of proto-religions, world religions and the study of energies.

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Now I was surfing the Internet and found an interesting article about saints, patrons of animals. Of course, this topic could not interest me, both from the point of view of an animal owner and from a professional point of view.

In fact, the Church does not prohibit keeping a dog in a house where there are icons. The dog simply must have its own place in the house, different from the position of a person. Orthodox priests are people just like the rest of us. Therefore, when they say that a priest prohibits keeping a dog in the house, this is his personal opinion, and not a church canon.
Among the Orthodox saints there are many prayer books about animals - companions and helpers of man - a prayer for the blessing of the beekeeper, a prayer for the multiplication of a swarm of bees, for the protection of flocks and shepherds, a prayer for the death of livestock, for the protection of cattle, for the protection of sheep, horses, pigs, geese and other waterfowl. Each type of farm animal has its own heavenly patron.

October 4th is WORLD ANIMAL DAY. The decision to celebrate this day was made at the International Congress of Nature Supporters, held in Florence in 1931. Then animal welfare societies in many countries around the world declared their readiness to annually organize various public events.
The holiday is also associated with the name of St. Francis, the patron saint of sacred animals, born on October 4 more than 800 years ago, and revered mainly in Catholic countries.

The oldest known image of Francis, created during his lifetime; located on the wall of the monastery of St. Benedict in Subiaco.
In 2004 the priest of one of the churches in the German city of Cologne, Wolfgang Kestermann, decided not only to bless the animals, but also to perform a mass for them. The first service was attended by 150 people with their pets: dogs, cats, rabbits and lizards.

It is simply unthinkable to imagine something like this in an Orthodox church now, although in Orthodoxy there are many saints who are considered patrons of animals. Although in Rus', right up to the 20th century, on the day of the Hieromartyr Athenogenes (July 29, New Art), peasants brought animals (livestock) to the church, where a special order was read over them for their multiplication and health. Therefore sschmch. Afinogen was considered the patron saint of livestock.
In Russia, this date has been celebrated since 2000 on the initiative of International Fund animal protection. In this way, Foundation activists are trying to attract public attention to the problems of animals that need the protection of their “big brother.” Russia firmly holds the second place in the world in terms of the number of domestic animals after the United States. They live in every third Russian family.

Over the centuries, Orthodoxy has gradually developed a tradition of turning to a certain saint for help when problems arise in certain branches of animal husbandry. So it is believed that Saint Blaise helps cattle breeders
Saints Florus and Laurus - horse breeders
Saint Basil - pig farmers
Saint Nikita - to those who raise waterfowl
Villagers even turn to St. George the Victorious to protect their livestock from theft and wild animals. Almost all animals that have taken root near humans (with the exception of cats and dogs) have chosen heavenly patrons. Moreover, there is a special “prayer rite during the destructive pestilence of cattle.”
From time immemorial, when there was such a misfortune, the peasants invited the priest “where the cattle are sick,” and the priest, putting on an epitrachelion, performed a prayer service over the sick cattle, after which he sprinkled holy water on the animals themselves and the hay used as food for the livestock.
According to legend, Saint Agafya, a martyr (patron of livestock), contributed to the successful calving of cows
Onesimus the Shepherd (February 15, old style) protected sheep in sheepfolds from wolves
Saint Modest of Jerusalem (December 31), the patron saint of domestic animals, is prayed for his well-being and health
Reverend Martyr Anastasia Rymlyanina - assistant in the preservation, welfare and healing of livestock
From the lives of Christian saints it is known that many of them great love belonged to “our smaller brothers.” On icons with hagiographies of St. Sergius of Radonezh
and Seraphim of Sarov
wild animals are often placed, which the saints fed from their hands, and on the icon of St. Gerasimos of Jordan they always depict a lion sitting at his feet
Tradition says that this lion served the monk as a pet as a sign of gratitude for his cure from a painful abscess.
It is also necessary to remember Saint Maximus the Confessor
Saint Anthony of Jordan, Saint Mamant
St. John of Rila who helped the little animals...
It is firmly entrenched in the popular consciousness that someone who does not love animals can hardly sincerely love people, and in the Orthodox press, dedicated to relationships with the animal world, they often use the expression “Blessed is he who has mercy on cattle,” which is a free translation of the biblical Church Slavonic text: “A righteous man has mercy on the souls of his beasts” (Proverbs, chapter 12, verse 10). The meaning of this expression is interpreted by some theologians as follows: at the Last Judgment, God will ask a person for his attitude towards animals.