THE OWL

The owl is a type of bird. It lives all around the world, so it has different meanings in each culture.

This animal lives and hunts in the night, so africans and americans thin it's a symbol of dead and bad luck. Chinese and Japanese cultures think that if you see one during the day, you'll have bad luck, but if you see them in the night it gives you good luck and a very long live.

In the european culture, it's a symbol of intelligence, so many book's companies have this animal in their logos.

In greek or roman cultures, this animal usually goes with Atenea, so they think it's a good symbol.

In North America, the owl, like all the animals, is usually the image of football teams.

In other countries this animal is the logo of many companies, like security comapnies for houses:

This post was made by Iyán Fernández and Alfredo Fernández.

The Horse.

Due to its natural companionship with man in both work and art, the horse easily wins a special seat in history, ranking high marks of honour, reverence and symbolism.

Serving man in war, mobility, productivity, agriculture, development of all kinds, the Horse is by far one of the largest contributors to the enhancement of civilization.

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With such recognition and accomplishments, a vast and diverse trail of symbol meanings is sure to follow the Horse’s rich history with humankind.

A summary of prevalent symbol meanings for the horse:

·         Power

·         Grace

·         Beauty

·         Nobility

·         Strength

·         Freedom

The Horse symbol meanings of power are widespread through most cultures, and it is linked as an emblem of life-force. Many cultures assign the attributes of the four elements to the Horse: Earth, Fire, Air and Water.

As a Celtic symbol, the Horse was associated with war. With war, comes attributes of victory, conquer longevity as well as procurement of territory and other spoils that come with triumph in battle.

In Greco-Roman myth the Horse is said to be created by Poseidon (Neptune) and is devoted to Hades (Pluto) and Ares (Mars). Romans also believed the Horse to be a symbol of the continuity of life, and would sacrifice a horse to the god Mars every October, keeping its tail through the winter as a sign of fertility and rebirth.

In Hindu Brihadaranyaka, the Horse is linked to Varuna and as such, is equated to the cosmos. Additionally, a white horse is believed to be the last incarnation of Vishnu.

Buddha is said to have left this physical plane riding a white horse. Also in Buddhism a winged horse is often depicted carrying the Book of Law.

The Horse, is also an animal which is regularly used in lots of logos such as the logo of the american football team, The Denver Broncos:

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Another example, is the Wisconsin State Horse Council:

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Some other international brands use horses on their logos.

        Ferrari's logo: 

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         Ralph Lauren's logo:

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By Francisco Fernández López & Arturo Fernández Fernández

The peacock

 

This animal have been used for so many iconic represations, incluying being the national bird of India in 1963. In this country they represent in the art, mythology, poetry, folk-music and traditions. 

A story in the Uttara Ramayana describes the head of the Devas, Indra, who unable to defeat Ravana, sheltered under the wing of peacock and later blessed it with a "thousand eyes" and fearlessness from serpents. Another story has Indra who after being cursed with a thousand ulcers was transformed into a peacock with a thousand eyes. In Buddhist philosophy, the peacock represents wisdom. Peacock feathers are used in many rituals and ornamentation. Peacock motifs are widespread in Indian temple architecture, old coinage, textiles and continue to be used in many modern items of art and utility. In Greek mythology the origin of the peacocks plumage is explained in the tale of Hera and Argus. The main figure of the Kurdish religion Yezidism, Melek Taus, is most commonly depicted as a peacock. Peacock motifs are widely used even today such as in logo of the US NBC television network and the Sri Lankan Airlines.

The peacock is originary from the India, where Alejandro Magno catch it in there conquests in Babilonia, and where there also die. These animal extend into Persia and where the romans catch into Italia.





These birds were often kept in menageries and as ornaments in large gardens and estates. A reference in the Bible mentions a peacock owned by King Solomon. In medieval times, knights in Europe took a "Vow of the Peacock" and decorated their helmets with its plumes. Feathers were buried with Viking warriors and the flesh of the bird was said to cure snake venom and many other maladies. Numerous uses in Ayurveda have been documented. Peafowl were said to keep an area free of snakes. In 1526, the legal issue as to whether peacocks were wild or domestic fowl was thought sufficiently important for Cardinal Wolsey to summon all the English judges to give their opinion, which was that they are domestic fowl.

In Anglo-Indian usage of the 1850s, to peacock meant making visits to ladies and gentlemen in the morning. In the 1890s, the term "peacocking" in Australia referred to the practice of buying up the best pieces of land ("picking the eyes") so as to render the surrounding lands valueless. The English word "peacock" has come to be used to describe a man who is very proud or gives a lot of attention to his clothing.

The peacock where into the NBC logo. A TV channel in South America. A DJ have been also catch this animal to their company. Another, not so much knowing by the people, is a restaurant in Panmá called "Pavo real". Finally, an internacional conexion, called "Hafla" use the plumage of the peacock.

 

But this animal also attack. Two months ago, one peacock attacked a little boy in a park in Gijon. The boy were going to give him some bread and the animal gave a peck to the boy. 

By: Bruno Álvarez & Nel Suárez
Images: Google Images
Text: Wikipedia

Totem animals: Symbols, brands and meanings

EXERCISE FOR STUDENTS OF 3rd. LEVEL

1. You have to join each name with the appropiate image and definition.
2. In pairs, choose one of them (It´s necessary not repeat the same animal)
3. Look for more information abour the meaning of this symbolic animal. Search examples in Art, History, legends, etc
4. You have to find logos, brands and icons where we can see the animal related to.
5. Write a post with the information and add more images and drawings.

For learn more: http://artspilesenglish.blogspot.com.es/2011/11/symbols-on-line-encyclopedia-quite.html