Animal symbolism was probably more important to our ancestors than it is to us today, but some fragments of it still exist now. We have so many phrases and sayings that combine animal characteristics with humans, and we use them frequently for centuries now. Animal symbolic meaning was created by cultures and civilizations that used to live near animals.
Animal symbolic meaning wasn’t only used in spiritual rituals and ceremonies, animal symbolism was important later on in culture, art and poetry. People used animals to describe certain emotions, to express their desires and to paint someone’s character.
In today’s text, we will find out more about seagulls and the hidden symbolism behind them. What makes them special and unique among all other birds, and how the humans saw these birds through art and other forms of expression?
Spirit animal and Totem
Spirit animals and totems teach us about our own character and help us to use our positive sides better and control the negative ones. We are all beings with conscious emotions and we express them in different ways. Everything we are and everything we do has slowly formed into our character, which is what makes us unique.
Spirit animals are determined by looking deeper into your subconscious mind and finding more about yourself. Looking at your life and noticing which animal has been around you all the time, is how we determine which animal is our spirit animal. Totem animals are determined by our birthday, and every person has its own totem animal.
Spirit animal
As a spirit animal, seagull is best described by these words:
- Freedom
- Opportunistic behavior
- Responsibility
- Respect
- Movement
- Joy
- Friendship
- Freedom
- Fairness
- Cunning
- Attitude
- Adaption
People guided by the seagull spirit animal are very resilient people who can endure even the hardest living conditions. There is no work environment or social group where these people can’t get used to. They are highly intelligent and are able to predict certain situations and behave accordingly. People guided by the seagull spirit animal are also very cunning and aren’t as kind as they might seem to others. Even though you might think that this person is not getting what is going on, they are very much aware of everything but they don’t react impulsively.
Seagull spirit animal makes you a very confident person with a lot of attitude. This is something that is easily noticeable in people guided by this spirit animal, but it is not repulsive to other people. Many find it to be in moderation and deservingly. Seagull spirit animal is also a symbol of respect and fairness. You are someone who never attacks other people for no reason and you always tend to help others if it is possible. Others respect you because of tis but you return the same amount of respect to them. You think highly of many people whom you find to be honest, and you would never try to trick them or do something that might harm them.
Totem
As a totem, seagull represents a personality that is very hard working and dedicated. This is someone who knows how to seize an opportunity and use it in their advantage. People guided by the seagull spirit animal are also very optimistic and you can barely catch them in a bad mood. This is because they are always thinking ahead and current hardships never get to them truly.
You are always ready for movement and challenge, which is sometimes hard to understand especially to people who are not as comfortable in their own skin as you are. Seagull is also a symbol of social interactions, which means you love spending time with other people discussing new ideas and projects. When working or building a career, you perform well in teams but also as an individual. This is because you are very adaptable and you can always transform yourself to fit into the crowd.
As a negative characteristic, some might mention the cunning nature of a person born under the seagull totem. You are simply intelligent and you are always one step ahead of everyone, which gives you an opportunity to do things in your own advantage. To some this is a negative characteristic, while to others it is simply the way life goes.
Symbolism and Meaning
Seagulls are symbols of many positive and some negative characteristics. People see them as both symbols of good and bad, but it is certain that the positive characteristics prevail. Seagulls usually inhabit areas around seas and oceans, which is the reason why their symbolism was created by cultures that used to inhabit these sea regions.
Native Americans saw seagulls as important symbols and their importance was clearly shown through choosing seagulls as their clan animals. Seagulls were carved into wood as totems and protectors of entire clans. The Chippewa tribe used seagulls as their clan art and to them seagulls symbolized intelligence, adaptation and stamina.
In Greek mythology, these birds symbolized freedom and the incarnation of the goddess Leukothea or the White goddess. Leukothea was the white nymph highly respected by the people. Seagulls were symbols of freedom and adaptation. They were often related to sailors and their protection, but they were also popular as symbols in art and literature.
Seagull tattoos are very popular among sailors, which is no wonder because they are clear symbols of sailor lifestyle. Seagulls spend their entire lives flying over the seas and an ocean, living in complete freedom away from whatever is happening on the Earth.
In popular culture, seagull tattoos as well as their symbols are very popular and often used for various things. They are frequently used in movies, paintings and in all forms of art in general to depict the ideal maritime surroundings. Seagull’s symbolic meaning might have been stronger symbols in our past, but they still very present today. We can find them in heraldry of Poland and Midway Islands, but also as mascots for many sports teams across the world.
Dreams about Seagulls
Seagull dreams can have positive and negative interpretations, and this is mostly determined on the overall dream interpretation. Seagulls might not be as frequent symbols in our dreams as others, but they surely have their own symbolic significance in dream interpretation.
Seeing a seagull – If you saw a seagull in your dream, this means you are about to have an epiphany about something in your life. This is something that worries you and you will figure out a solution for this problem you have. Open up your mind and soul to the small signals that are about to appear and the solution is going to appear on its own.
Flying seagull – Flying seagull in your dream represents cleaning up your life from everything that is unnecessary. This is something you were supposed to do for a long time, but you kept on moving this necessary task for later. If you want to see the improvement in your life, then you have to start getting rid of things that are bad for you.
Baby seagull – Seeing a baby seagull in your dream represents good news. You are about to receive good news about something or someone, that you have been waiting for a long time. Use this good news in your advantage and don’t miss out on the opportunity that will come up.
Seagull in general – Dreaming about seagulls in general represents people around you who are constantly nagging you about something. You feel pressured and you can’t really focus on important things when these people are around you. Get rid of the negative energy in your surroundings and focus on things that need to be done.
Dead seagull – If dead seagull was in your dream, this means you are about to hear some bad news. Be prepared for whatever you are about to find out, and don’t be surprised if it is something that is hard to hear. There is a solution for everything; all you have to do is to focus on finding the right solution for your problem.
Conclusion
We have so many phrases and sayings that combine animal characteristics with humans, and we use them frequently for centuries now. Animal symbolic meaning was created by cultures and civilizations that used to live near animals. Seagulls are symbols of many positive and some negative characteristics.
People see them as both symbols of good and bad, but it is certain that the positive characteristics prevail. Seagulls usually inhabit areas around seas and oceans, which is the reason why their symbolism was created by cultures that used to inhabit these sea regions.
Seagull symbolism is something that was much more used in the past, but their significance in a symbolic sense of the world is still relevant. In popular culture, seagull tattoos as well as symbols of seagulls in art and literature have helped its symbolism to stay relevant and important.
Seagulls symbolize freedom, adaptation, friendship and stamina. Seagull spirit animal and totem animal represent a strong personality that has a lot to offer to the world and we can surely learn a lot from their behavior and way of life.
