10 Elk Symbolism Facts & Meaning: A Totem, Spirit & Power Animal

There is something to be said about blending in the background. After all, the limelight can get tiring and there are some things best done without everyone’s eyes on you. That said, there are many things in life that can only be done when you are up at center stage. Advancement opportunities, for example, can only come in spades when you embrace the spotlight.

But making an impression is a tad more complicated than going about unnoticed. Animals, for example, do it in different ways. Some do it by being big, others do it by being ferocious. It is hard not to notice a lion or an elephant, which is true. But then, there are those for whom making an impression is both easy and natural. The Elk is a great example of this.

Elk Symbolism Facts & Meaning: A Totem, Spirit & Power Animal

I

Elk Symbolism & Meaning

The Elk (more commonly known as a moose in North America) lives in wooded regions. These places are perfect for many creatures since they provide adequate food and protection, the latter in terms of cover. But in the face of animals that use the forest as camouflage, the Elk stands firm as a symbol of steadfastness and imposing energy. Taller than most men and almost as wide, the Elk’s size acts as a deterrent to any who might force it off. And if that fails, the sharp horns come in really handy.

It doesn’t mean that the Elk symbolizes confrontation, but it does symbolize putting your foot down when it matters, and making your intentions known. It also symbolizes having the confidence to defend your position even in the face of intense challenge.

II

Elk Spirit Animal

As a spirit animal, the Elk specializes in making its intent known to those around it. One look and you will know that the Elk means business. When it comes to you as help, the Elk offers to imbue you with the courage necessary to exude the same intent. Such courage is especially powerful, especially if you are nearing the point of confrontation. Without having to be aggressive, you can resolve any animosity by letting it be known you can take the challenge if needed.

On the other side, the quiet nature of the Elk is also asking us to look into ourselves and determine if we have this level of courage and misusing it. Are we using our size as a means to intimidate others?

III

Elk Power Animal

The Elk is a good power animal to call on when we feel that we need to stand firm in the face of social pressure. After all, standing alone in the face of peers can be a daunting task. When you need to say “no” with conviction, especially when you know you are right, then the Elk will come to your aid.

IV

Elk Totem Animal

People born under the Elk spirit animal, aside from having the virtues mentioned above, are notoriously goal-oriented. They are able to extend their steadfastness towards independence, and this independence towards being able to focus on their goals.

This imparts a sense of inner strength, which in turn can be a sense of inner peace and joy. The Elk knows what truly matters, because it takes time to root itself in its values.

V

Elk Native American Symbolism

Much like the buffalo, the Elk has been revered as both a source of food and clothing. Unlike the buffalo, however, the Elk does not really have much of an appearance in their folklore. One notable exception is the Cree Indians, whose stories hail the Elk as a symbol of perseverance. Their ability to stand firm, with their natural stamina, has been noted as the primary contributor to their survival.

That said, the Elk (or moose) has been turned into a totem animal for some tribes such as the Menominee and the Chippewa. To the Wabanaki of New England, the Elk is said to be a once-great monster who was defeated by their local hero Glooskap. There are also stories of the moose being among the key characters in the creation of the world and of mankind, as told by the Potawatomi tribe.

VI

Elk Celtic Symbolism

Currently, the Elk does not exist in the Celtic regions — they have not done so for the past 5,000 years, so they did not appear in Celtic myth. Curiously, though, there are Scottish and Irish regions that have history of giant deer, which are curiously similar to Elk. This is a throwback to the fact that around 7,000 years ago, the Irish region was home to some of the largest Elk to ever walk the earth, with antlers reaching 12 feet.

VII

Elk Far Eastern Symbolism

The Elk did not live in the Far East either, but they got their representation through the Chinese interpretation of the ox. Known for its quiet strength, fortitude, and practicality, the ox mirrors the concepts of the Elk for the East.

VIII

Elk in Dreams

When the Elk appears in your dreams, it is warning you that you would need a lot of steadfastness where you are headed. Your life may be on a road of chaotic time, and this chaos is best countered by an inner calm.

IX

Elk Encounters / Elk Omens

When the Elk appears to you, it is challenging you to assess how you look at the confrontations of life. Do you run from them, or do you seek them out? The Elk’s presence hints that challenges are won neither way, but through a total control of oneself.

X

Elk Mythology and Folklore

According to the Potawatomi, the earth began with just one woman who was looking for a companion. Seeing as there are no men, she would have to choose which animal would be the father of the human race. However, she found none worthy — until she met the Elk. This is why the Potawatomi believe that humans still carry the Elk’s characteristics within them. This only means that despite the chaos of our lives, the calm assertiveness that is the Elk still remains within us. It is now up to us to use it to make our lives and the world at large better.