We all want freedom in our lives, and animals are no different. Animals have been used as symbols of freedom throughout history for a variety of reasons; they can represent the power to break free from bonds, flee from danger, or be untethered by society’s conventions. In this blog post, we will explore 10 animals that have come to symbolize freedom in one way or another!
Table of Contents
10 Animals that represent freedom
The Wild Horse
Horses are animals that people associate with freedom due to their ability to roam freely over wide-open spaces. They can also represent the power to break free from bonds- horses were often used as military mounts during wars because they could carry soldiers quickly out of harm’s way.
The wild horse is a symbol of freedom. They can represent the power to break free from bonds- horses were often used as military mounts during wars because they could carry soldiers quickly out of harm’s way. Wild horses also have been associated with an untethered lifestyle, one that people long for and admire but may not actually be able to achieve on their own.
This animal has come to stand in opposition against animals like the tiger which are symbols of captivity or domestication due to its ability to roam freely over wide-open spaces and be untethered by society’s conventions. Horses are animals that people associate with freedom due to their ability to roam freely over wide-open spaces, even if this isn’t possible in our own lives.
The Dodo
We all know the story of the dodo; an animal that was hunted to extinction because it did not have any natural predators. The animals represent freedom due to their inability despite being free from harm, they were still killed by humans and became extinct.
The dodo is a symbol of freedom in spite of its own predation- after no other animals could prey upon them, they were wiped out by human hunters anyway. This also speaks to how we as humans will always find ways to take away another creature’s ability for independence regardless of what it takes or where you live on this planet.
Just like with animals found at zoos, there are many animals who can’t roam freely over wide-open spaces or be untethered by society’s conventions for various reasons. This animal is a symbol of freedom because it did not have any natural predators and was still hunted to extinction, despite this lack of harm.
We all want animals that represent freedom in our lives, but they are just as at risk from human predation as the animals found in zoos or on farms- even if we don’t hunt them ourselves, we’re responsible for their deaths due to everything from pollution to habitat loss.
Animals like the dodo make us reflect upon how every creature deserves the same amount of respect no matter where you live on earth; wild animals deserve protection and consideration too!
In today’s world, there are many animals who can’t roam freely over wide-open spaces or be untethered by society’s conventions for various reasons, such as animals found at zoos.
The Tiger
Tigers are animals that have been used to symbolize freedom since ancient times- they were often the animal chosen in heraldry or on military banners. They can represent the power to break free from bonds because of their ability to be untethered by society’s conventions; tigers are animals with no natural predators, so people don’t think about them as animals who need protection.
The tiger is an animal that represents freedom due to its lack of natural predators and being untethered by society’s conventions. The tiger has come to stand in opposition against animals like the wild horse which are symbols of captivity or domestication for various reasons such as having a predator (humans) or not roaming freely over wide-open spaces. See also our post about tiger symbolism.
The Whale
Whales are animals that represent freedom (see our post about the whale symbolism) because they live a lifestyle with only a few natural predators (in fact only us humans); whales are animals who roam freely over wide-open spaces and have no need for society’s conventions.
The whale is an animal that represents the power to break free from bonds due to its ability to be untethered by society’s conventions, like with tigers or horses. However, whales can also symbolize freedom due to their lack of natural predators such as bears or sharks (see also our post: shark symbolism) but instead being hunted down by human beings. Whales don’t need anyone else in order to survive, making them symbols of strength and independence just like wild animals should be able to enjoy these same things despite our own desires not meeting theirs.
The Eagle
The eagle is an animal that has been used as a symbol of freedom since ancient times because they have no natural predators and can fly free over wide-open spaces.
The eagle, soaring above the ground with its wings stretched wide and majestic in all directions, is the embodiment of freedom. This bird’s image represents absolute liberation more than any other symbol out there.
When thinking about what animal to choose as the symbol of freedom, it is hard not to think of animals that roam free in this great country of ours (USA). The majestic American bald eagle embodies all we know and love about America: strength, resilience (also read: symbolism for resilience), intelligence, freedom-all qualities which make them a perfect choice for our national symbol.
The Albatross
The albatross, one of the most majestic animals in existence, represents absolute liberation more than any other symbol out there due to its lack of natural predators and being free from societal constraints. One bird species known for standing against humanity’s predation on all creatures is the Albatross; this seabird doesn’t fear our rifles or nets largely because it lacks any real predator since we’ve hunted down everything else who might want them. This makes them symbols of independence just like tigers are animals that represent strength without needing anything besides themselves.
Albatrosses can spend months in the air and eat up to three times their weight in animals like squid and fish. This bird is an example of what it means to take freedom into your own hands- they can spend months at a time soaring on currents without ever coming down here on earth unless they want to; unlike animals with more immediate vulnerabilities (being hunted by things that happen below the surface), albatrosses never worry about being taken out from above. (In a more factual way we compared the Seagull vs Albatross)
The Wolf
Wolves, animals that are naturally the best at hunting down prey and predators alike, represent freedom by being untethered to society’s conventions. Wolves live entirely on instinct and hunt any animal from moose all the way down to mice- animals know when it’s time to be afraid before these hunters make themselves known because they stalk silently until close enough. As apex predators with nothing left above them, wolves provide an example of what living free really means: never fearing anything else but animals that are just as good at hunting animals.
Wolves represent freedom because they can roam in packs to take down prey no matter how large- and their strength is such that nothing, not even humans, really stands a chance against them.
The howling sound of a wolf can be heard from miles away. Wolves are known to symbolize freedom and the free-spirited creature we all wish to become (check also our post about free spirit symbols). Hence the werewolf myth is still popular today, thanks in part to their presence in our culture since ancient times (see also our post about the werewolf symbolism).
The Dragonfly
The dragonfly is perhaps one of the most fascinating insects in our environment. They are extraordinarily quick with an ability to hover and fly sideways, backward, or even upside down.
Dragonflies represent what it means to be free because they have few natural predators due to their fast flight speeds- these animals use this speed as leverage to protect themselves from anything on earth that dares try to hunt them down.
The Cat
Cats are known as one of the most independent animals on Earth. They can go where they want, when they want, and don’t care about what anyone else thinks or feels. Cats have a special kind of luck that makes them always land on their feet even if it’s from skyscraper height! Besides being lucky with gravity cats also come equipped with 7 lives which means; no matter how many bad things happen to your kitty cat (getting hit by cars etc) he will live for another seven chances at life until his time is up. The other thing we all know about our feline friends is that there isn’t any place too uncomfortable for these flexible creatures because sleeping just requires comfort in mind, not location -and this way you won’t find animals like cats feeling too confined in anyone place.
Cats are animals that represent freedom because they live by their own rules and want nothing more than what makes them comfortable- it’s not about being around other animals or doing anything besides what you want to do when you feel like doing it.
They can go where they please, sleep wherever they please (even on the most uncomfortable surfaces), eat whatever food suits their fancy… What more could we all ask for out of life? Cats show us how easy living free really is!
All free animals as opposed to animals living in captivity
Animals that live in a zoo or animals who are confined to the earth by humans experience what it means to be trapped and not free.
Animals often used as symbols of freedom include animals like squid, fish, albatrosses, wolves, dragonflies, cats- all animals living free from human captivity!
When you have a deep knowledge of wild animals and their habitats, they seem to show freedom in a way that only instinct can provide. You see this with herbivores running free across African plains or birds soaring through open skies. Or as even more spectacularly: dolphins (see dolphins spiritual meaning) playing alongside whales under azure seas.
I think all wild animals by their very nature show freedom” I think watching the great herbivore hurts in Africa shows freedom’ to an animal just watch the beautiful parlor run’ or watch the birds of skywatching for me it’s something else!’
Conclusion
The animals that symbolize freedom have many different characteristics but they are all animals who enjoy their own independence and feel free to live life as they please. They typically need little care or protection from the humans in their lives due to being strong, lucky animals with a natural instinct for survival. In other words: these animals represent what it means to be truly free!
Freedom is too important, hence we wrote an article about birds that represent freedom or one about symbols for freedom.
