Wolf Animal Symbolism
Like all animals and people, the wolf has its positive and negative qualities – it’s light and shadows characteristics. By studying wolf characteristics and wolf animal symbolism, we can learn lessons about leadership, communication, strength and freedom.
If you were born between February 19 – March 20, the Wolf is considered your Birth Animal in Native American lore. If you were born August 22 – September 22, the Wolf is your Polarity Animal.
Wolves Are Great Communicators
A wolf’s howl is how it communicates. A wolf’s howl is loudest when it’s in harmony with others. A lone wolf howl can be heard up to 6 miles. There’s nothing shy or timid about the wolf’s self-expression! From the wolf, we learn to let our Soul’s Song be heard. Let it out loud and long and don’t worry about what other creatures think about it. When you find others who resonate with your message, join in, and harmonize and collaborate with them. Your message will make an even greater impact when you find your tribe (or “pack”).
Community and Collaboration
Wolves symbolize loyalty to the pack, collaborative support, and community. They travel in packs of about 20 wolves. They all help care for the younger members, and they have a clear hierarchy. Wolves create symbiotic, loyal relationships. Yet, if the group isn’t working for them or if they get separated from the group, they’re not afraid to go out on their own – thus the term “Lone Wolf.”
Native Americans believed the wolf was a pathfinder and a great teacher. They honored the wolf, sang prayers to it, and respected it for its strength and protective abilities. Native Americans organized themselves in groups like wolves in a pack.
Wolves Are Highly Perceptive
A wolf’s sense of smell is 100 times better than a human’s. This means they’re picking up on everything in nature. They hunt, survive and identify others through their acute sense of smell. Native Americans considered wolves as Pathfinders (most likely due to their ability to follow a trail and their willingness to strike out on their own).
Strong, Powerful, Confident and Resilient
Wolves have thick fur that helps them survive in brutally cold temperatures. Wolves can be up to 5 feet long and 3 feet high and weigh up to 130 pounds. They are confident and not afraid of a fight. When they eat, they eat it all – bones, hair and flesh. Nothing going to waste here!
The Wolf Shadow Side
Wolves stalk and attack old, sick and weak animals. They can be savage when they attack and consume other creatures. The wolf is sort of like birds of prey. For example, the eagle is considered to have healing properties because it helps eliminate the diseased, weak, and sickly. Because the wolf eats the old, sick, and weak animals, it’s offering a service of sorts in the animal kingdom. Wolves thin out the potential for disease and weakness.
Values Associated with the Wolf
- Freedom
- Leadership
- Strong intuition
- Communication skills
- Being a loner
- Independent
- Perseverance
- A fighter
- Loyal to the pack
- Not afraid to walk alone
Affirmations from Wolf Animal Symbolism
- I live free and value and protect freedom principles.
- I have strong leadership qualities.
- I am the leader of my own life.
- I collaborate and work well with others.
- I attract supportive relationships and friendships.
- I am willing to stand on my own.
- When group dynamics are unhealthy, I am willing to do my own thing, and find my own path.
- I am independent, yet interdependent in healthy ways.
- I am strong and persevere in my worthwhile goals and aspirations.
- I communicate well and know how to harmonize with others.
- I have a strong, healthy voice that speaks my truth.
- I am loyal to my family and friends in healthy ways.
- I am connected to my intuition and have excellent discernment.
- I express myself in healthy, confident ways.
Polarity Animal: If the Wolf is your Birth Animal, then the Bear is your Polarity Animal. If Wolf is your Polarity Animal, then Bear is your Birth Animal.
Featured Image Copyright: Lubos Chlubny / BigStockPhoto.com
