People think of Doe’s placidity and Stag’s warrior strength, which is reflected in their symbolism. Deer are classified as herbivores, but those on a Scottish isle puzzled visitors….
Deer, the Animal
The deer species are in the Cervidae family, as are moose, caribou, reindeer and wapiti (elk). Some deer species are social; others are solitary. Male deer are called bucks, stags, harts or bulls; females, does, hinds or cows and young deer, fawns or calves. They’re native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica.
Deer are herbivores. They browse on soft vegetation, leaves, shoots, twigs and graze on grass. The animal is a ruminant, like cattle, storing partly chewed food and later regurgitating the cud and chewing it, allowing the deer to process a large amount of low-nutrient food.
Crows, eagles and ravens prey on other birds. For years, bird-watchers visiting the Scottish island of Rum were puzzled over the bodies of decapitated Manx shearwater chicks, with missing wing and leg bones. Flesh, skin and feathers were intact. This isn’t the raptors’ way of eating their prey. Several years ago, a hunter saw a red deer chewing on a chick. Scientists believe the deer eat the boney parts of chicks because of mineral deficiencies in the plants they eat. In other continents, both sheep and cattle have been observed doing the same.
North American deer’s predators include coyotes, bobcats, bears, cougars, wild dogs and humans.
Native American Deer Symbolism and a Legend
Deer represents gentleness, caring and kindness. Her gentleness is within Great Spirit’s lodge and which embodies His love for all. Deer teaches people to find the gentleness of spirit that heals all wounds, to not try to change others, accept them as they are and that the only balance of power is compassion and love.
Fawn heard Great Spirit calling her. On the way to His lodge, she encountered a horrid demon who tried to keep all creatures from the lodge by making them think Spirit didn’t want to be bothered by them. This made him feel powerful.
When Fawn met the demon, she was curious, not scared. The demon was ugly, breathed fire and made horrible sounds. Fawn asked him to let her pass because she was on the way to see Spirit, her eyes filled with compassion. He was shocked by her fearlessness. Her love penetrated his hardened heart and his body shrank to the size of a walnut. Her gentleness and caring cleared the path for all of Spirit’s children to visit Him without the fear of demons blocking their way
Celtic Deer Symbolism
The Celts believed deer were supernatural animals and called them faerie cattle. In the Celtic tradition, Deer, like Bear and Wild Boar, has two aspects, female and male.
According to Celtic myth, Otherworld deities sent a white hind or stag to guide chosen humans into their realm. In Medieval Times, ceremonial magicians wore amulets of deerskin parchments because they believed Deer’s powers resided in the skin.
Hind, Eilid, represents gracefulness, subtlety and femininity.
Stag, Damh, symbolizes independence, pride and purification. He is King of the Forest, protector of its creatures and represents the Sun, warrior’s virility and fertility.
Related articles:
Otter: Pagan Symbolism and a Legend
Wild Boar: Pagan Warrior Spirit
Sources:
Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews, (Llewellyn Publications, 2002)
The Druid Animal Oracle, Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm (A Fireside Book, 1994)
Favorite Animals of North America, Will Barker, (Portland House, 1987)
The Medicine Cards, Jamie Sams & David Carson, (Bear & Company, 1988)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/08/0825_030825_carnivorousdeer.html
Jill Stefko - I'd rather deal with the paranormal than human abnormal - having dealt extensively with both.
