The seahorse is an exceptional fish and a visually unique creature. They live primarily in the coastal areas of seas and oceans, and that tiny creature got its name from its unique head.
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Often described with mysticism and spirituality in countless works of art and portraits, the mere sight of these spiny sea creatures emits a sense of great delight and enchantment.
The seahorse symbolism is known to instill parental harmony as well as the courage and knowledge to steer through the most difficult of times effortlessly. Let’s grab our snorkels and dive into the symbolism of these fascinating water critters.
What does a seahorse symbolize?
Knowledge and wisdom
Seahorses are symbols of knowledge and wisdom. They are often associated with the Tarot card The Hermit, which represents a time for introspection and seeking guidance from within.
Seahorse spirit guides may be trying to tell you that it’s time to look inside yourself and find the answers you’ve been seeking. They could also be asking you to share your wisdom with others who need it.
Being Present
Seahorses also remind us to stay in the present moment and not get lost in our thoughts. When we are able to live in the present, we open ourselves up to new opportunities and wisdom that can only be found there.
Intuition
Seahorses are also associated with intuition, as seahorses are able to sense changes in the environment around them. If you have felt like you need to pay more attention to your intuition, the seahorse may be a sign from the spirit that it’s time to do just that!
Perspective
The seahorse has excellent vision. They also have the ability to move each eye independently, meaning they can look in two directions at once.
They symbolize perspective and the importance of looking at a situation from different angles. If you’re struggling to overcome something in your life, the seahorse encourages you to change how you look at it.
Seahorse symbolism and love
Seahorses mate for life and are known as symbols of fidelity and enduring love. If you are in a relationship, look to the seahorse for guidance on how to make your bond stronger.
Seahorses also teach us the importance of balancing our relationships and giving and receiving love. The seahorse symbolism can also remind you to be more playful and spontaneous in your love life. Seahorses can also represent fertility and the birth of children.
“Seahorses look mythical, like dragons, but these magnificent, shy creatures are real.”
– Jennifer Keats Curtis
The seahorse spirit guides may be trying to teach you how to find balance in your relationships, or they could simply be showing up for support during difficult times.
For more animals representing love, check out our post: 10 Adorable Animals That Represent Love.
Emotions
Seahorses are also associated with the element of water, which represents emotions – so seahorse symbolism can represent a time for being more in touch with your feelings. If you are feeling lost or dealing with emotional issues, look to the seahorse for guidance!
Seahorses are also often associated with the following attributes
- Wisdom
- Protection
- Love
- Creativity
- A balance between head and heart
- Financial freedom
- Pure love, beauty, intuition, and creativity
- Intuition and emotions
- New beginnings, allowing yourself some creative freedom.
Seahorses represent a time for being more receptive to the wisdom of your intuition and emotions. Seahorse spirit guides may be trying to tell you that it’s time to pay attention to what they have been telling you or that all is well with them.
Cultural connection to seahorses
Throughout history, seahorses have appeared in many cultures, both ancient and modern times. These little beings have been associated with Gods, the ocean, dragons, and the deaf.
Ancient Greece
In Greek mythology, the sea horse has been depicted as a powerful creature associated with strength and divinity. Poseidon, the God of the Ocean, is said to have rode in a chariot pulled by seahorses.
One name for this is the hippocampus, a creature whose upper body is of a horse, and the bottom half is of a fish. They were also depicted as existing in both freshwater and saltwater during those times.
Sometimes, these little seahorses are even depicted with wings, signifying their connection to the gods and their power of transcendence.
Chinese Culture
In Chinese culture, seahorses are considered mythical creatures, cherished for their gentle strength and positive energy. Seahorses are a powerful symbol of protection, perspective, and patience in China as well. They associate these little sea critters with dragons, often referring to them as ‘water dragons.’
Seahorse energy is in alignment with the liver and kidneys and is used to help balance these areas of energy within the body. These amiable creatures are also used in Chinese medicine. Their body is dried under the sun and ground into a powder used in capsules.
Because of their healing abilities, Chinese people also consider these cool creatures as symbols of health, wellness, and wellbeing.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, the Maori community has a common mythological creature that appears in jewelry and carvings. This being is named Manaia and comes in many forms. One of its depictions is of a powerful seahorse.
Manaia is considered a messenger between the realms of life and death. They also believe that Manaia can help protect them against negative energy and evil spirits.
Doors and homes had this being carved into them as a form of protection. There have also been instances of Manaia symbolism appearing in Easter Island and Hawaii.
Celtic Iconography
In Scottish mythology, a water creature called Kelpie resembles a seahorse. Kelpies are dangerous shape-shifters that live both on land and in water. They are dangerous because they are believed to target innocent people, enticing them to ride on their backs.
Once they have them off the ground, they trick them into thinking they are running toward a new land. Little do the people know, the Kelpies are luring them into the water toward their demise.
These water horses can, however, be tamed; if you are to catch one and use a charmed harness, you can utilize the horse for your own needs. They can be tamed and will safely transport people to haul loads.
Lastly, these beings also have the ability to shape-shifter into human beings, making it a trick to identify one outside of the sea.
Those born between February 19th and March 27th have the Celtic zodiac sign of the Seahorse. That makes the seahorse an interesting symbol for these people, as it signifies emotional understanding, empathy, and the ability to connect with others on a deep level. This sign is also associated with strength and personal power.
Japanese Culture
In Japan, the Japanese Federation of the Deaf uses an image of a seahorse for their official flag. The flag comes in a maroon color with a giant white seahorse across the middle. The reason for this stems from Japanese folklore.
These stories believed that dragons didn’t have the ability to hear, and some transitioned into seahorses. The reason they believed dragons were deaf was that they dropped their ears into the ocean, leaving them deaf and completely without ears.
Seahorse symbolism in Native American culture
Sea horses are connected to water in Native American culture and the ties that water has with the rest of the world. They’re seen as messengers for healing, knowledge, and power. In several civilizations, the seahorse is regarded as an excellent healer because it has a heart on its head (similar to that of humans).
That’s why they’re used as amulets or worn around your neck for protection by many people. The seahorse is also a popular creature in Native American folklore. In some stories, seahorses are said to be able to transform into humans and back again. They’re also often associated with wisdom and knowledge.
Seahorse spirit animal
A spirit animal is an animal guide that helps you navigate the many lessons of life, and a totem animal is an animalistic energy assigned to you.
Spirit Animal
A spirit animal that is always ready to inspire, support, and help, a seahorse floats in as your guide when it feels that you have become too stubborn and single-minded to prevent you from crashing and ruining your life and reputation. It would often suggest that you pause for a moment as it helps organize your perspectives, given the seahorse’s ability to see clearly.
With a clear view of both the positive and the negative effects of your decisions, it enables you to make compromises that best suit everyone. Promoting patience and being calm, seahorses teach us to always control our emotions, particularly our anger, and to always find the best even in the worst circumstances.
The spiritual meaning of this animal is agreeable and protective, and those characteristics of this awesome water animal will encourage you to extend a helping hand to other people as well as be an honest and attentive friend. Absolutely captivating creatures, seahorses seem like a product of myth and imagination rather than of nature.
The seahorse extends its ability to you, to help you overcome all of life’s challenges. Even in the face of opposition, these little creatures hold the powerful ability to help you transcend above it.
Bearing in our hearts the importance of persistence and tolerance, this spirit animal inspires us to remain steadfast as you work on bringing happiness, peace, and prosperity to your life.
Totem animal
With a diet composed mainly of smaller crustaceans and having sub-par swimming ability, a seahorse must perfect the art of ambush for them to survive. Rather than engaging their food on a wild-speed chase, they patiently wait, staying unnoticed for long periods so they can suck in their unsuspecting dinner using their tube-like mouth.
Such characteristics make those with the seahorse as their animal totem patient, calm, and quiet, yet firm and truthful to their causes. They are typically optimistic, understanding, and supportive, and they perpetually shy away from attention.
The seahorse is also one of the shyest fish in the ocean. If this is your totem animal, you may be more reserved than others, keeping your true self concealed for the people close to you.
Admired and respected for their good hearts, the seahorse symbolism and totem inspires individuals to be sensible and imaginative, which makes them some of the most creative and artistic people you will ever meet.
Known for their honesty and loyalty, these non-aggressive people prefer to keep their relationships simple, rarely seeking conflict or trouble. Perhaps one of the best friends that anyone could ever have, the seahorse instills in us the importance of being affectionate and joyful, making it extra fun to have them around.
Featuring one of the most fascinating life cycles that nature has to offer, the female seahorse lays a host of eggs on the male’s abdomen and remains in there until they are ready to hatch. Such actions cultivate in us the significance of being committed partners and parents.
Is the seahorse my spirit animal?
The seahorse is one among many different types of spirit animals. Spirit animals are often associated with certain traits, such as courage, strength, wisdom, and loyalty. They are also sometimes seen as guardians, teachers, healers, or leaders. A spirit animal can serve as a mentor, friend, protector, teacher, or leader.
Sometimes, people choose a particular animal because it represents something about themselves. For example, a lion could symbolize strength and bravery. Or a turtle could represent patience and perseverance.
So, if you find yourself in the attributes we mentioned above, the seahorse could be your spirit animal.
Seahorse Power Animal
The seahorse power animal teaches us to be mystical and calm and serves as a reminder that even in the most uncertain moments, we need to keep our heads high and trust in ourselves.
The seahorse will help you remain patient, focused, positive, and balanced during trying times. Imbuing you with the courage to face difficulties, this spirit animal will remind you that all life experiences are beneficial, and as long as you stay strong, things will eventually work out in your favor.
Moreover, the seahorse power animal will also assist you in accepting change more readily and finding peace even amidst chaos.
It is believed that those with a seahorse power animal are blessed with the ability to be present mentally and physically, no matter how troubled their lives may seem. In addition, this spirit guide will help you better appreciate the beauty of life and bring good luck in your endeavors.
The seahorse power animal will also remind you that even though life can be unpredictable and full of surprises, you will always find a way to remain afloat. Being firm yet gentle, it will guide you to extend a helping hand to other people as well as be an honest and attentive friend.
Meaning of a seahorse in dreams
While a personal encounter with a seahorse is not always available, these charming and spellbinding ocean dwellers do not mind popping into our dreams and subconscious from time to time. Since many of us are visited by the seahorse in random occurrences, these “drive-bys” bear profound spiritual messages that can ultimately provide us with assistance.
Prosperity
Since being in the presence of a seahorse can be considered rare, having a dream that involves a seahorse gliding along the water may suggest that you will be having a restful and relaxing holiday soon.
Barely recognized for its swimming prowess, a seahorse drifting in water at unusually high speeds may indicate that it is dashing towards you, bringing you delight and prosperity in the not-so-distant future.
“Linger for a while and discover the secrets of the seahorse—one of the shyest fish in the sea.”
– Chris Buttterworth
Good fortune
As most dreams involving a seahorse signify good fortune, a deceased vision of the creature indicates the difficulties that you will be experiencing in the coming months. However, much like the seahorse, you simply need to stay low and allow every troubling situation to pass.
Fulfillment
As elusive as they are, an image of yourself attempting to capture a seahorse means that you are trying to complete a task that is way beyond your capacity. But, as a consolation, a dream where a seahorse playfully swims with you signifies that regardless of the venture you are diving into next, it would absolutely be filled with joy and fulfillment.
Creativity
Seahorses also often show up in dreams as a symbol of intuition and creativity. They may also indicate that it is time to pay more attention to your feelings and intuition in order to make better decisions. If you are dreaming of seahorses, ask yourself what creative project you have been procrastinating on or what messages your intuition has been trying to tell you.
“Absolutely captivating creatures, seahorses seem like a product of myth and imagination rather than of nature.”
– Sara A. Lourie
Balance
Seahorses can also represent the balance between your head and heart. Seahorse spirit guides may be trying to teach you how to find peace, or they could be showing up in order for you to help them find their way back home.
The seahorse symbolism and spirit guides may be trying to teach you how to find balance in your relationships, or they could simply be showing up for support during difficult times. Seahorses are closely associated with motherhood as well as family love! They remind us that even when we feel like everything is falling apart, there is always a new beginning around the corner.
For more animals representing love check out our post: 10 Adorable Animals That Represent Love
What does a seahorse tattoo symbolize?
Seahorse tattoos are popular for their beauty and uniqueness. They can also represent many different things, such as strength, power, grace, and wisdom. Seahorses are also often seen as symbols of good luck, so a seahorse tattoo might represent your desire for good fortune. Whatever the meaning behind your seahorse tattoo, it is sure to be a beautiful and eye-catching design!
If you’re looking for a unique tattoo design, then the seahorse might be just what your heart desires. These creatures have been associated with many different traits and meanings, including tranquility, tenderness (in both males and females), regality (the ability to lead others into battle but also be patient enough while doing so); parenthood because they carry their young inside them until birth!
There’s even gender fluidity symbolism among some cultures who see these fish as representing passed down femininity or manliness, depending upon how one thinks about it – seahorses can be either gender!
Conclusion
As one of the most captivating creatures of the sea, the tiny seahorse sure packs a host of symbolism that can help you lead and enjoy a better life. If you are fortunate enough to be among those who have these remarkable critters as your guide, then you can be assured that your journey will be nothing short of swift, peaceful, and calm.
For a more holistic view, also check our post about fish symbolism.
Sources
- https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/blog/seahorses-in-myth-legend-art/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus_(mythology)
- http://asianbestiary.org/seahorse/
- https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/110893
- https://artuk.org/learn/learning-resources/the-kelpies-ancient-myth-in-modern-art
