Represents: Playfulness, music, manifestation
“Man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reasons.”
― Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Dolphins are highly evolved and intelligent creatures. They are not fish, but mammals, and they have a mammal’s capacity for nurturing, family, love and companionship.
In the Way of the Taibhsear and many other Pagan traditions, water symbolizes the power of the mind; especially the unconscious mind. A Dolphin totem can show you how to enter the waters of your creative shadow side and call forth the powers of creativity you most need or desire.
Dolphins can’t breathe underwater. Instead they breathe through a blowhole at the top of their heads. They have to return to the surface to keep from drowning. If Dolphin is your spirit animal, you are being called to remember not to hold your breath for too long.
Dolphins are especially sensitive to sound, so if Dolphin is your spirit animal, sounds are a part of your spiritual life. Dolphin people are often singers or musicians. Sound is the creative life force and can be used for healing and invigorating. People of the Dolphin know how to create inner sounds as well so that they may create outer manifestations. In many traditions, the world was created when a word was spoken. This belief that touches many cultures across the world shows how important and powerful sound can be.
It is believed that Dolphins are self-aware creatures. If a Dolphin has shown up in your life, ask yourself what your words and thoughts are creating. Use the answers to determine how to use your words and thoughts to become more self-aware.
As Douglas Adams reminds us, Dolphins are playful creatures. They know that fun is at least as important as work. When Dolphin calls to us, she reminds us to get out and have a little fun, and most of all to breathe!
Explore the significance of some common spirit animals by clicking a link below.