Plants and Animal Symbols

 A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. Wikipedia 

Think about of how we use symbols and icons on a daily basis.  Here are a few of the most common symbols and icons you might see often.

Now that we know a little bit about the difference between symbols and icons, we can take a closer look at animal symbols and their meanings.

Humans have had relationships with animals throughout history and you can see them represented by symbols in many different ways.  We can see it's a fox in the symbol above, but we won't know what it represents until we learn how it's been used.  You might see it associated with being a sneaky trickster, but foxes are also associated with quick thinking, adaptability, and playfulness.   You can also read about how the fox may have been used in Native American folklore, and are shown in variety of representations in various cultures. 

You can write about nature in many ways.  Add writing to your nature journal as a place to describe what you see.  You can write stories about your adventures in nature. Try writing a poem about something you've seen in your observations.