Otters are definitely competitors for the title of being the cutest animal on the planet. Seeing Otters holding hands and playing with each other in the water can melt even the hardest hearts.
Otter Symbolism Facts & Meaning: A Totem, Spirit & Power Animal
At first glance, the Otter looks to be a mere symbol of happy living, but it is deeper than that. Everything about the Otter is symbolic, from the environment which it lives in, to its actions and social conduct.
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Otter Symbolism & Meaning
The Otter is a symbol of both Water and Earth. This is a curious combination, since Earth is known for its stability and strength, and Water is known for being adjustable and changeable. But when we look closely, the Otter embodies both of these qualities really well.
The water where the Otter lives symbolizes life itself. It symbolizes life’s revitalizing energies, and the paralyzing problems it can pose. It is both the good, and the bad. The Otter, this playful creature, is a symbol of stability, an island in the rushing streams of life.
The Otter is gifted with the ability to see life as it really is — a playground where one can make and do anything that they wish. The Otter realizes that we are just children, in search of family and friends, of connections that would make the never-ending waves of life more meaningful!
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Otter Spirit Animal
When the Otter comes in as a spirit animal, it is a call for us to be more attuned to our needs and emotions, particularly the need for social connections and the search for pleasure. This can get really difficult, especially when life is full of worries and when we feel everyone’s expectations are burning through us. We tune out the desire for pleasure and an easy life, which gets such a bad rap these days. But sometimes, it is these things that drive us in our best efforts, and it is these thoughts that fuel us up when we are feeling very low.
The Otter reminds us that the search for pleasure needs not be evil. It could be as simple as taking things slow, just floating around in our little bubbles for a short time, and enjoying time with the people around us.
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Otter Power Animal
The Otter is the perfect power animal for when you need to get some fresh energy from the present. Call on the Otter as well if you need to have a deeper social involvement, especially if it is for a good cause.
Of course, Otter energy is also the perfect one if you need to simply relax and take a break even without leaving the problems you are facing right now. The Otter draws its relaxing energies from deep within itself, and it does not physically need to get away to be happy and playful. This is not natural to the worrying mind of modern man, but it is something we could learn.
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Otter Totem Animal
People born under the Otter totem are natural caregivers. They are the type to instinctively know what a person needs to make them smile. This could sometimes go to extremes, especially when they find that their very personalities are driven by the needs of other people. But those around them know that when crisis hits and they need someone to help lift the burden of life, they could always call on these Otter people.
Such people are also perpetually curious, and this curiosity helps them discover answers to both their and others’ questions. These people find interest in everything, and they tend to have fun while seeking to unravel the yarns of life.
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Otter Native American Symbolism
To the Native Americans, the Otter is a trickster (though not quite as much as the fox). Their pranks are particularly harmless, and they never fail to elicit a good laugh. These tricks also serve the purpose of keeping the victims keen and alert.
The Northern tribes consider the Otter sacred, as it relates to one’s devotion to family and core social circles. The Muskogee and Chippewa also have Otter clans.
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Otter Celtic Symbolism
The ancient Celts likewise observed the Otter and appreciated their good humor. To them, the Otter is a spirit guide that is both a teacher and a protector. It helps those who are in need of finding the answers within themselves.
The Otter is also thought to be a “water dog”, which also implies their devotion to family and loyalty to those they hold dear.
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Otter Far Eastern Symbolism
There were no Otters in the Far East, and as such their symbolism has been passed on to different animals. The birds, for example, served the symbol of kinship in some Chinese tales, while also carrying the joy of life that keeps one afloat against the winds of problems and misfortunes.
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Otter in Dreams
When the Otter swims up to you in your dreams, it is time to realize that the waters you are in have become too deep. If you are not careful, you will surely drown! This often happens when change comes, especially when it does so suddenly.
When this happens, listen to the advice of the Otter and pay attention to how it moves through treacherous waters. This way you will learn how not to give in to becoming overwhelmed.
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Otter Encounters / Otter Omens
When you meet an Otter, you might have become distanced or disconnected from the people you hold dear. Remember, family can be everything in a person’s life, and sometimes even though we leave our families to pursue worldly progress, they are all we can come back to in the end.
So take a break, reconnect, and take the Otter’s hand!
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Otter Mythology and Folklore
The Otter is enshrined in the Irish legend “The Voyage of Máel Dúin”, as saviors who bring sailors salmon to eat. Ancient Persia held the Otter in higher esteem than most other animals, and there was even a penalty for any person who killed an Otter.
To the Native Americans, the Otter was important enough to have their own god figure (Keoonik), and was always contrasted with the pride of other animals like the rabbit and the bear.
The Otter is not only cute, it is also a very good teacher that many of us need to learn from to escape our hectic times!
