Barracudas are inquisitive so they have an unnerving habit of following scuba divers around. However, since they can be as large as a human being with a growth span of more than 6 feet in length, this behavior fuels a bit of unspoken fear towards the animal.
Despite being generally passive and with only about 25 documented and confirmed attacks in the last 100 years, if you imagine a fish with razor-like teeth and with speed like lightning following you, you would start to panic, too.
(Side note: Barracudas are known to follow larger predators because they are also scavengers. They intend to eat after them, which would explain why they like following scuba divers.)
Barracuda Symbolism Facts & Meaning: A Totem, Spirit & Power Animal
While you would rather avoid meeting a Barracuda in real life, meeting it as your spirit animal is actually a blessed thing as it has a lot to teach you about life.
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Barracuda Symbolism & Meaning
We have used the word “Barracuda” to describe someone using harsh and improper means to achieve their goals, especially in business. But the meaning of the Barracuda is more than that, especially spiritually. Barracudas can change colors to blend in with their surroundings. They are illusionists, using their talents to catch prey. They are only trying to use their innate abilities to survive.
They have existed for about 40 million years, making them one of the oldest species in the planet, which in turn makes them a great symbol for ancient memory.
When hunting prey, the Barracuda patiently waits for the best time to attack, sporting its camouflage unmoving. They symbolize patience, willpower, and concealment. As their attack needs to be quick and powerful, they rely on the element of surprise as well as their speed. This earns them their title, “Thieves of the Sea” as well as the “Tigers of the Sea”.
While Barracudas are not poisonous, humans that consume them could get poisoned. It is because of the Ciguatoxin accumulated from the food of their prey. This process is called bioaccumulation. One can say that this occurrence could symbolize how purposeful they could be. This toxin is harmless to them but is harmful to those that consume them. This, along with its ability to camouflage, shows that they are great in avoiding danger.
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Barracuda Spirit Animal
For people who are getting too complacent, the Barracuda is visiting you to pull on your courage and bring it onto the surface. Another reason for this fish to visit you is if you are being too nice, and you are having difficulty in saying no. The Barracuda will help you figure out if you need to just quietly let go of people taking advantage of you, or if you need to confront them to establish your stand.
They may also visit you if you haven’t been following your instinct. It wants you to start following your intuition and to trust it more. It can help you figure out decisions that need to be done quickly.
Barracudas are introverted creatures. If you are too, but is having a hard time letting people know that you want to be left alone sometimes, without hurting their feelings, the Barracuda can help you find the right words and the appropriate steps to take.
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Barracuda Power Animal
If you are having difficulty in dealing with your pent-up emotions, the Barracuda will help you free them. It understands that your words and thoughts yearn to be expressed. However, since it is an expert in patience, it will help you learn waiting for the right timing, and how to strike within it.
It doesn’t promote recklessness but the courage to go forward. If you are ever holding back emotions, the Barracuda doesn’t want you to suffer silently. If you are becoming much of a pushover, and you are tired of giving in to someone else’s whim too often, this power animal will help you come up with the best strategy to deal with it.
Call upon them if you struggle with quick decisions. Also, they are great guides for when you are seeing possible problematic people in your life.
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Barracuda Totem Animal
Barracuda people are most often spiritual warriors, not afraid of challenges and are more than happy to rise to the occasion. They are persistent, especially if it is for their own time. They find great joy in spending more time with themselves, not necessarily being introverted. They are okay with not fitting in if it means disciplining and restraining themselves from bad impulses.
People with the Barracuda totem may not always be successful in having one, but they are painfully aware of the importance of work-and-play balance. They have a strong inclination for transformation. Change doesn’t scare them and probably even crave for it.
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Barracuda Native American Symbolism
It is believed that the Native Americans link Barracudas to male warrior energy. Its fierceness is regarded as a symbol of protection and defense.
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Barracuda Celtic Symbolism
The Celtic weren’t exposed much to the Barracuda to attribute symbolism to it.
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Barracuda Far Eastern Symbolism
According to Feng Shui, it is lucky to have silver and gold figurines of the Barracuda fish. They are believed to attract prosperity.
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Barracuda in Dreams
Generally, if you dream of a Barracuda, it means wildness, aggression, and danger. You need to find which aspect of your life is being affected. You have to be aware of it and to deal with it so that it doesn’t do you damage in your relationships with others or with yourself. You need to find a good way to release this aggression and possibly in a productive and healthy way.
If your dream includes Barracuda waiting in the mud, it means of something dangerous about you that you are not aware of. You need to take an intensive look at your life and your current situation so that you can address this danger as soon as possible. However, if it is waiting amongst the sea grass or the reefs, it is a warning that something bad is coming your way.
Should the Barracuda be swimming swiftly in your dream, it means you are being reckless. If you are currently faced with a decision, it would be best to think on it and let it soak first.
If the Barracuda in your dream starts to change colors, blending in its surroundings, it means that you need to do the same. Right now is not the time to stand out.
Dreams of an isolated Barracuda (meaning no scenery or other objects) could refer to introversion or hermitage. Since Barracuda fish are introverted, they may be warning you that you need to have some personal time to yourself, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed.
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Barracuda Encounters / Barracuda Omens
If you encounter a Barracuda with a prey in its mouth, it is a warning that something is holding you back. If you want to look at it in a literal sense, someone might be intending to trap you, so beware.
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Barracuda Mythology and Folklore
There is a Polynesian goddess named Hine-nui-te-pō, whose body is of a man but its teeth is of a Barracuda’s. She was mentioned in a folk tale of Maui’s death and the legend of how death became of this world.